Mary Anne Knapp is a clinical social worker and staff therapist for Counseling and Psychological Services.
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Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001
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HEALTHLINE
Friends, family can help stop depression
During any one-year period, 18.8 million American adults suffer from a depressive illness, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. College students are not immune to depression. New pressures and experiences can seem overwhelming and increase the risk for depression and suicidal thinking. Unfortunately, many students do not understand what they are experiencing or do not know that depression is highly treatable.
Students might be fearful or reluctant to seek psychological services or to talk to a physician about depression. For that reason, friends, roommates, family and faculty can play an important role in identifying students who seem depressed and intervening to help them find the psychological help that they need.
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HEALTHLINE Q & A
Resources available to resolve emotional crises
Question: My boyfriend has extreme mood swings and I’m concerned about him. Where can he go to get help?
Answer: There are many resources for students experiencing depression or other emotional problems. On campus, you can go to Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), 863-0395, 221 Ritenour Building, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CAPS provides initial consultation, crisis intervention, individual short term counseling, and group therapy. For a student who lives in the residence halls on campus, RAs and Coordinators help students talk out, think through and problem solve a range of concerns.
Lion Support is available from 5 p.m. to midnight by calling 863-2020. Their office is in 215 HUB-Robeson Center. Trained peer counselors provide information and support for students. Some students find it easier to talk with another student, at least initially.
In an emergency, call 911. To contact University Police or to get an ambulance when immediate intervention is needed to protect someone’s life who is in the process of harming themselves or has already made a suicide attempt. Specify that the person is a Penn State student.
There are also 24-hour crisis hotlines available off campus. CAN HELP’s phone number is 1-800-643-5432. Counselors who staff the hotline help people manage a crisis situation; a mobile team is available when needed. The Women’s Resource Center, 140 W. Nittany Avenue, can be reached at 234-5050. Trained volunteers provide crisis intervention for victims of rape and relationship violence. They also operate a shelter for women who are currently in abusive relationships and need safe housing temporarily.
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The following are a list of symptoms that can help you recognize depression in yourself or a friend:
change in personality—sad, withdrawn, irritable, anxious, tired, indecisive, apathetic
change in behavior—can't concentrate on school, work, routine tasks
change in sleep pattern—over-sleeping, or insomnia, sometimes with early waking
change in eating habits—loss of appetite and weight, or overeating
loss of interest in friends, sex, hobbies, activities previously enjoyed
excessive worry about money, illness (either real or imaginary)
fear of losing control, going crazy, harming self or others
feeling helpless, worthless, "nobody cares," "everybody would be better off without me"
feelings of overwhelming guilt, shame, self-hatred
no hope for the future, "it will never get better, I will always feel this way"
drug or alcohol abuse
recent loss--through death, divorce, separation, broken relationship, or loss of job, money, status, self-confidence, self-esteem
loss of religious faith
nightmares
suicidal impulses, statements, plans; giving away favorite things; previous suicide attempts, or gestures
Do not leave a depressed person alone if you think they may be suicidal. Stay with the person until help arrives or the crisis passes. Your job is to listen. Encourage the person to get professional help. Do not try to "go it alone."
If you want to learn more about depression, come to Penn State's Depression Screening Event from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 3, in the HUB-Robeson Center Heritage Hall.
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