Counseling services raises awareness about depression

By: Dianne Macasu, Transcript Correspondent

Posted: 11/19/09

Eleven students were screened as part of the annual Depression Screening Day sponsored by the Counseling Services Thursday, Nov. 3.

Each student had the opportunity to take a brief self test, which includes depression and manic depression screening forms and a suicide risk questionnaire.

After that, they were asked to watch a 20-minute video presentation about depression. The last part consisted of a five- to 10-minute confidential interview with a mental health professional to discuss the results of the tests.

Colleen Cook, assistant dean of Student Life and Coordinator of Counseling, Career and Student Health Services, said the event had a good turnout.

She said the depression screening day allowed the counselors the chance to speak with students who had questions about depression and other mental health related concerns.

"A number of students were screened, and many of the students who were screened were encouraged to be seen for additional treatment," Cook said.

There was an information table set up for check-in area in the Hamilton-William Campus Center Atrium from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. Formal screenings were conducted in the Benes Rooms. Students were also informed about campus and community resources and given brochures and flyers about depression, manic- depression, suicide and other related concerns.

Cook said the goals of the event were met.

"It includes raising awareness about depression and mental health concerns," she said. "Also, the other goal is by allowing students who might not normally seek our services to have to meet our staff."

According to the Mental Health America of Franklin County fact sheet, depression is characterized by a feeling of sadness for more than a few weeks and by having difficulty functioning in daily life. Manic depression, also called bipolar disorder, is characterized by episodes of major depression and episodes of mania, with mood swings followed by periods of generally level behavior.

Richard Leavy, chairperson and professor of psychology, said virtually all mental disorders have multiple causes. Some of them are biological; some of them are in thoughts, processes and habits of a person, which is psychological; and some of them are cultural context.

"It's a kind of mistake to think that depression is caused by one factor or another. It does almost invariably consist of combination of different factors," Leavy said.

Leavy said a distinction between depression and manic depression centers on gender difference almost around the world.

Women are twice more likely to become depressed than men.

He said the reason for such difference is that women experience more interpersonal forms of stress. They are socialized to be the maintainer of relationships, experiencing stress of the workplace and the family.

Rumination theory suggests people who are depressed dwell on their emotions.

Leavy said they talk about their negative emotions to other people, then review and analyze and re-review and re-analyze what they're thinking and feeling. They don't necessarily do anything about it, and that pattern is more likely to be found in women. Leavy added that when men get depressed, they may engage in more destructive behavior, such as suicide.

In a college setting, Leavy said depression is often associated with loss. It could be a loss of friends, family members or self-esteem, he said. Depression could also arise from losing a sense of achievement while making a transition from high school to college.

"I guess there is a relationship between stress and depression," he said. "Stress is a generic risk factor for all manner of different things, so it's not specific to college, but there is a high level of demand when you're in college and a great deal especially for first-year students, who are inexperienced in having to cope with this stresses."

Cook said if a student believes they are suffering from depression, they should schedule an appointment with a counselor who can help them address their concerns.

"For those students who are hoping to take proactive steps to reduce the chances that they will become depressed, I would encourage them to take positive steps to practice effective stress management and self care including making sure that they are sleeping and eating right and implementing a regular exercise schedule," Cook said.

Counseling services are free to all Ohio Wesleyan students and offer a wide range of services, which include individual counseling, group counseling, consultation, crisis intervention, training, referral resources and outreach programming.

Leavy said if the cultural perception that depression is shameful can be changed, progress can be made.

"Unfortunately, we still are in society that sees depression as personal failure, and I think that way of looking (at it) is not only damaging to the person (who is) depressed, but it's generally damaging to the community we actually care for."