Bravo 1 Cara Bravo English 1100 College Writing Professor Lago 21 April 2014 Depression in College Students Abraham

m Lincoln had many mental issues, depression being one of them. Alvin Silverstein, Virginia Silverstein, and Laura Silverstein-Nunn stated in the book Diseases and People: Depression, It seems so hard to believe that a man like Lincoln, who was so levelheaded and held such an important job, could be so tormented by depression. Yet this is a chronic disease that can affect anyone, anywhere, and at any time (Silverstein and Nunn 8). This goes to show how even the happiest looking people can hide such dark secrets in their lives. Many people do not fully understand what depression really is. Depression is not just being sad, there is a lot more to it. Depression includes sadness, loss of interest, lack of motivation, feelings of worthlessness, irritability, loneliness, and suicidal behaviors. The World Health Organization states that more than 350 million people suffer from depression around the world (World Health Organization). Anyone can be effected by depression. Depression is a much-underrated mental illness that should be taken more serious. College students are highly effected by depression; 30 percent of college students have depressive like symptoms (National Institute of Mental Health). Authors of Depression, Delinquency, and Suicidal Behaviors Among College Students state that suicide continues to be a major public health concern among college students, remaining the third leading cause of death among 18 to 24-year-olds in the United States (Bauer, Chesin, and Jeglic 36). Although depression does not always lead to suicide, it is very common. The article also discusses that young adults are most likely to attempt suicide or at least

Bravo 2 have suicide plans. College brings a large amount of stress and responsibilities. Being young adults, it is the students job to become organized and receive a degree for a successful future. Having a history of depression myself, I can understand how this feels. After my grandfather died, I was diagnosed with severe depression. Before being prescribed anti-depressants, I had many suicidal ideations, cut my wrists several times, and attempted suicide. Late one summer night, I snuck out of my house while my parents were asleep; I walked to a bridge in our town and climbed onto the ledge. Staring down into the dark water mesmerized me into believing that there was no other way out. I missed my grandfather so much, I just wanted to be with him; I did not know what else to do. My mother called me when I was about to jump. Hearing her voice gave me clarity I needed to climb back over onto the sidewalk. Once I got home, I ran into my mothers arms. Seeing her face and knowing I caused her, my father, and my sister that much pain made me realize that it was time for me to get help. After that, I began to see a therapist and eventually was prescribed an anti-depressant. It has been four years since I attempted suicide. Although I no longer see a therapist, I am still taking medication. I am now happier than I thought I could ever be. Even though I still have days where I just stay in bed and sleep or cry I just think of my grandfather and how hurt he would be of he saw me wasting away my life. Now that I am in college, I still have depressive episodes now and then. The stresses of college can get difficult and I do feel symptoms of depression. College students are main contributors when it comes to depression, especially freshmen. Making the transition from high school to college is hard enough. If a student decided to live on campus, they also have to deal with living away from home for the first time. Many students, myself included, have a hard tie with this aspect of college life. In addition, the stress from

Bravo 3 classes and homework causes anxiety and depression. Certain social situations, such as partying, drinking, and even doing drugs can also contribute to depression in college students. Bauer, Chesin, and Jeglic discussed how social activities can be a cause of depression. Depression can also lead to withdrawal from social activities, which in turn can lead to feelings of prosocial peer rejection and weakened prosocial attachments consequently resulting in an attraction to antisocial peer groups and delinquent behavior (39). I have come across many people in my life that turned to delinquent behavior because of depression. I had one friend that became so depressed once he went to college that he began stealing and vandalizing peoples homes. He completely rebelled against any type of authority figure. He also began to hang around people who were known to cause trouble and refused to speak to anyone other than those in their clique. Depression can cause people to do things that they normally would not do. Some people turn to delinquency because a symptom of depression is believing that any action has no type of negative consequence. College has become extremely important over the past decade. Many jobs were not available to people who do not have a college degree. According to Brad Plumer, only 27 percent of Americans have jobs related to their majors. (Washington Post). Because of this, college has become very competitive and stressful. Students push themselves to the limit to stand out and impress future employers. Students drive themselves to the point where they become mentally exhausted. Adding this to all of the other pressures of college life, depression and other mental illnesses can occur. This is why many college campuss offer counseling sessions for students. They are not only there to discuss academics, but to also help students with their personal issues. People do not realize how helpful therapy and medication is when it comes to depression. Many believe that telling a stranger your problems is a waste of time and medication is just

Bravo 4 another way to be cheated out of money. What these people do not understand, is that depression is a chemical imbalance in a persons brain. Medication helps balance out what is not right. Depression is a very treatable disease; treatment can reduce symptoms in over 80 percent of depressed patients (Silverstein and Nunn 56). Going to therapy was the best decision I have ever made. Being able to open up to someone who will not judge you, but help you get your life together is a feeling unexplainable. I hated therapy at first. The first two months I went, I just sat there looking at the floor not speaking. After I became more comfortable with my therapist, it was unbelievably easy to speak my mind; a giant weight was lifted off my shoulders.

Bravo 5 Works Cited Bauer, Rebecca L., Chesin, Megan S., and Jeglic, Elizabeth L. Depression, Delinquency, and Suicidal Behaviors Among College Students. Depression. World Health Organization. Web. Only 27 Percent of College Grads Have a Job Related To Their Major. Washington Post. 20 May 2013. Web. Silverstein, Alvin, Silverstein, Virginia, and Silverstein-Nunn, Laura. Diseases And People: Depression. Berkley Heights: Enslow, 1997. Print. What Is Depression? National Institute of Mental Health. Web.