College represents one of the most exciting and significant stages in an individual’s life. However, no two people experience college in the same way.
The status quo for a typical college student has changed a bit over the years with more women entering college and the rise of the community college system. Community colleges represent a diverse range of students, from different nationalities to different age groups.
Thus, with such diversity the array of problems, both physical and mental, became more complicated and in need of our vital attention. Depression can be defined in a variety of ways and take on different forms such as anxiety disorder and bipolar disorder.
However, some symptoms of depression, according to the National Library of Medicine include: sadness, fatigue, trouble with concentration, loss of interest or pleasure in activities you used to enjoy, changes in weight or appetite, difficulty sleeping or oversleeping, energy loss, feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness, physical aches and pains such as back pain that seem to have no cause and thoughts of death or suicide.
The American College Health Association performed a national college health assessment in the Fall of 2006, where they surveyed 34 college campuses nationwide.
They found that 18 percent of males and 21 percent of females reported that one to two times within the last 12 months, they felt so depressed that they had difficulty functioning. They also found that the rate of students reporting ever being diagnosed with depression has increased in the last six years from 10 percent in Spring of 2000 to 16 percent in Spring of 2005.
The same survey discovered that nine percent of males and 10 percent of females reported that they considered suicide one or more times within the last 12 months.
Depression is also considered the number one impediment to academic performance at a rate of 34 percent. Furthermore, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is the third overall cause of death among college-age students.
With such grim statistics, people might wonder why exactly do college students experience depression.
College can be a stressful experience because students are trying to balance classes, work, and their social life. Students might also stress about their future. Some might be uncertain about what they want to do after college. For those who are away from their family, homesickness might also cause feelings of depression.
College is also a time for romantic relationships and new friendships, both of which can bring about new feelings and problems.
Some students also experience sex for the first time, which greatly affects ones mental and emotional state of mind. With late study nights, sleep deprivation and bad sleep habits can also contribute to depression.
Other factors that can cause depression among college students include poor diet, no exercise, alcohol or drug use, sexual assault, eating disorders, and issues with sexual orientation.
The Fresno City campus is not immune to the epidemic of depression. Brian Olowude, the coordinator of Psychological Services at FCC said that in 2007 their center had 140 clients.
The FCC psychological services offers free brief psychological services to FCC students, with each student entitled to eight sessions a year. Olowude said that they handle a variety of issues such as adjustment disorder, depression, anxiety, sexuality issues, relationship problems, parent issues and even offer couples therapy.
The department issued a randomized survey in the Fall of 2007 and found that 18 percent of FCC students reported feeling depressed within the last year. Olowude said that the department has a special code for students who are a danger to themselves or to others called a 5150.
The code is used to involuntarily confine individuals for 72 hours. Since the department only gives brief psychological services, they refer those students suffering from more serious issues out to local mental health clinics.
The department works closely with the police department to transfer those students to outside health facilities. Olowude said that there are about three to five 5150’s a year on the FCC campus.
Furthermore, Olowude said, “If they are having psychological issues and concerns then they are not going to effectively focus on their academics.”
Thus, it is clear that depression affects college students not only physically and mentally but also academically. As a result of the rising rates of suicide among college students, the U.S. senate passed
The Campus and Counseling Act. The act was first developed by the American Psychological Association and gives 10 million in grants to centers on college campuses that offer mental and behavioral health services to students.
With such programs on college campuses and more awareness on mental health issues, there is help out there for those students who feel depressed or need assistance. There are suicide and depression hotlines that students may call.
Your local hospital may guide you in the right direction to get the help you need. Students may also privately do research through the internet to find locations near them that offer psychological services and support groups.