Depression+and+Suicide+Among+College+Students

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= What is Depression? =

Depression is a mental health disease characterized by persisting feelings of sadness, loss of interest in hobbies, restlessness, fatigue, feelings ofworthlessness, distraction, and thoughts of suicide (1, American Psychiatric Association of America). Depression can be onset by a variety of stressors or one can be biologically predisposed to the condition (2, Bhujade). Treatments for depression include psychotherapy (cognitive-behavioral, interpersonal, psychodynamic, etc.) (3, APA) and medicinal approaches (SSRIs, SNRIs, etc.) (4, Anxiety and Depression Association of America). With heavy workloads, distance from family and childhood friends, and the pressure to choose a path or career, college students are at a high risk of depression onset by stress.

American College Health Association, 2012

= Who is at Risk? =

Through studies conducted by professionals, it's been discovered that certain demographics within the population of college students are at a higher risk of depression onset by stress. Through a survey conducted in a Christian liberal-arts college in south central Pennsylvania, Janis Yeaman of the University of Maryland found that gender, academic year, and academic major correlated to the magnitude of stress of students (5, Yeaman). Victor Leino and Jeremy Kisch add on to this by stating that those that belong to the LGBT community or are in an emotionally abusive relationship are at a higher risk for depression. They also note that past trauma, childhood sexual abuse, stressful life events, sexual assault, domestic violence, alcohol abuse, and substance abuse are correlated to depression (6, Leino, Kisch).

= Low Budgets for University Clinics and Counseling Services =

College students experiencing depression often seek professional help, but often times, universities and colleges are not able to provide for them. This is due to many institutions having low budgets for clinics and counseling services. Amy Novotney, author of "Students Under Pressure", proposes that more money should be invested into this sector of schools' budgets not only to benefit the students, but also to benefit the school itself. Investment in mental health services for college students is proven to prevent less dropouts which retains tuition revenue and secures higher lifetime earnings for students. Novotney also claims that education and awareness of mental health issues are essential to improving college students' experience with mental health and depression (7, Novotney).

= Awareness and Education through Media = Awareness and education of mental health is not only provided by college/university faculties, but it can also be provided by representation in media and news. For example, the popular Netflix Original, “Thirteen Reasons Why”, juggles the topic of depression and suicide. “Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why and the Trouble with Dramatizing Suicide”, an article published in the Guardian and written by Zoe Williams displays the common negative reception that the television show had among viewers. The author claims that the show romanticizes depression and suicide, and could possibly convince young susceptible viewers to accept suicide as a reasonable response to depression (8, Williams). In the news, stories of tragedies such as murder, death by fire, death by drowning, and death by car accidents are covered daily. Following these stories are usually tips and advice to help prevent these events. It is a rare occasion that death by suicide is covered in the news unless it involves the death of a celebrity or notable figure. Blogger Tod Maffin discusses this portrayal, or lack of portrayal, of depression and suicide in the media in a post titled “It’s Time the Media Starts Reporting Suicides”. In this post, he recounts his time as an employee at a radio station that refused to report suicides. Maffin explains how if suicides are mentioned in media, reporters are often avoidant of using the word suicide and calling it as it is. He acknowledges the reason behind this, saying that studies show that people with existing suicidal ideations are at higher risk of killing themselves when exposed to news about the suicides of others, yet he believes that this lack of coverage is a disservice. Maffin concludes by stating, “If we continue to pretend suicides don’t happen as frequently as they do, then how can we blame governments for underfunding research and services for people with mental illness?” (9, Maffin) = Citations =

1. American Psychiatric Association. “What Is Depression?” //American Psychiatric Association//, www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/depression/what-is-depression. 2. Bhujade, Vijay Mahadeorao. “Depression, Anxiety and Academic Stress among College Students: A Brief Review.” //Indian Journal of Health and Wellbeing//, vol. 8, no. 7, July 2017, pp. 748–751., search-proquest-com.ezproxy.gsu.edu/familyhealth/docview/1961766346/fulltext/448C2215CF0F41C3PQ/1?accountid=11226. 3. American Psychological Association. “Depression and How Psychotherapy and Other Treatments Can Help People Recover.” //American Psychological Association//, www.apa.org/topics/depression/recover.aspx. 4. Anxiety and Depression Association of America. “Medication.” //Anxiety and Depression Association of America//, adaa.org/finding-help/treatment/medication. 5. Yeaman, Janis Irene. “College Student Stress: Who Is Resilient? Who Is Vulnerable?” //ProQuest//, 1994, search-proquest-com.ezproxy.gsu.edu/familyhealth/docview/304094068/abstract/8258891594A9430DPQ/1?accountid=11226. 6. Leino, E Victor, and Jeremy Kisch. “Correlates and Predictors of Depression in College Students: Results From the Spring 2000 National College Health Assessment.” //American Journal of Health Education//, vol. 36, no. 2, Apr. 2005, pp. 66–74., search-proquest-com.ezproxy.gsu.edu/familyhealth/docview/212717032/fulltextPDF/63A2EB1EC1424D5FPQ/1?accountid=11226. 7. Novotney, Amy. //Monitor on Psychology//, American Psychological Association, 2014, www.apa.org/monitor/2014/09/cover-pressure.aspx. 8. Williams, Zoe. “Netflix's 13 Reasons Why and the Trouble with Dramatising Suicide.” //The Guardian//, Guardian News and Media, 26 Apr. 2017, www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/apr/26/netflix-13-reasons-why-suicide. 9. Maffin, Tod. “It's Time the Media Starts Reporting Suicides.” //Tod Maffin//, 16 June 2012, todmaffin.com/suicides.