Spring Break
Open up
Issue date: 10/17/08 Section: Editorial/Opinion
10/17/08 - College is without a doubt a stressful environment. Whether you're a freshman away from your comfortable home and your mom's chicken noodle soup, or a senior worrying about the unstable economy and even more unconfirmed job opportunities - there's too many things to be upset over.
And it's too easy for little things like these to escalate into eating disorders, anxiety attacks, insomnia or depression. According to HealthyMinds.org, nearly half of all college students in 2004 reported feeling so depressed they had trouble functioning. Fifteen percent of those surveyed met the criteria for clinical depression. One out of four adults will experience some type of depressive episode by age 24.
And yet, it's a subject that is rarely, if ever, talked about.
Too often, students deal with their own pains behind closed doors, pasting a smile on for everyone else to see.
Too often, help is not given or offered before it's too late.
Professors should be looking out for students, friends should be looking out for friends. What might seem like worry could turn out to be a lifesaver with just two simple words: What's wrong?
Signs of depression, according to the URI Counseling Center Web site include infrequent class attendance, extreme emotions, drug abuse, threats or frequent mentions of suicide. In college, where a party atmosphere can be abundant, and stress is a given, certain warning signs might go unnoticed or written off as someone who's "in a funk."
It's imperative that we take notice of those around us, and be willing to reach out and provide guidance and direction.
Luckily, the University of Rhode Island provides help such as the Counseling Center, with specialized employees that will work with students to provide short-term relief from anxieties or suicidal thoughts. If URI can't help further than the best of its ability, a student would be assisted in finding therapy off-campus. All sessions are 100 percent confidential.
Going through counseling is a step students should take before resorting to a prescription, or worse, self-medication. These counselors are specially trained to deal with problems relating specifically to students.
If going to the Center is one step too far, and you missed the depression screening offered yesterday, a simple click on the URI Web site can lead you to a self-assessment. Though the assessment isn't completely guaranteed, it should raise some red flags if you're agreeing with too many of the pessimistic statements.
But above all, reach out to friends and family members or a trusted professor and share your feelings. And for those on the other side of the equation, take some time out of your busy day to listen.
It shouldn't be too late to set things right.
And it's too easy for little things like these to escalate into eating disorders, anxiety attacks, insomnia or depression. According to HealthyMinds.org, nearly half of all college students in 2004 reported feeling so depressed they had trouble functioning. Fifteen percent of those surveyed met the criteria for clinical depression. One out of four adults will experience some type of depressive episode by age 24.
And yet, it's a subject that is rarely, if ever, talked about.
Too often, students deal with their own pains behind closed doors, pasting a smile on for everyone else to see.
Too often, help is not given or offered before it's too late.
Professors should be looking out for students, friends should be looking out for friends. What might seem like worry could turn out to be a lifesaver with just two simple words: What's wrong?
Signs of depression, according to the URI Counseling Center Web site include infrequent class attendance, extreme emotions, drug abuse, threats or frequent mentions of suicide. In college, where a party atmosphere can be abundant, and stress is a given, certain warning signs might go unnoticed or written off as someone who's "in a funk."
It's imperative that we take notice of those around us, and be willing to reach out and provide guidance and direction.
Luckily, the University of Rhode Island provides help such as the Counseling Center, with specialized employees that will work with students to provide short-term relief from anxieties or suicidal thoughts. If URI can't help further than the best of its ability, a student would be assisted in finding therapy off-campus. All sessions are 100 percent confidential.
Going through counseling is a step students should take before resorting to a prescription, or worse, self-medication. These counselors are specially trained to deal with problems relating specifically to students.
If going to the Center is one step too far, and you missed the depression screening offered yesterday, a simple click on the URI Web site can lead you to a self-assessment. Though the assessment isn't completely guaranteed, it should raise some red flags if you're agreeing with too many of the pessimistic statements.
But above all, reach out to friends and family members or a trusted professor and share your feelings. And for those on the other side of the equation, take some time out of your busy day to listen.
It shouldn't be too late to set things right.
