The Center for Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) held an informational and diagnostic meeting Thursday in collaboration with the National Depression Screening Day.

Depression is not rare among Penn State students. Mary Anne Knapp, clinical social worker for CAPS, said depression is found more often with college students because they undergo so many changes.

"They may not be biologically depressed, but they may feel like it," she said.

Nationwide, about 10 percent of the general population is clinically depressed, Knapp said, and a 2003 University Health Services survey of Penn State students found that 42 percent of students said they were depressed at least once during the past year and 10 percent reported seriously considering suicide.

Also, when the American College Health Association conducted the 2005 National College Health Assessment, which surveyed nearly 17,000 college students, it found that 25 percent reported they "felt so depressed it was difficult to function" three to eight times during the past year. Twenty-one percent of the 17,000 reported they "seriously considered suicide," Knapp said.

Eleven students attended the screening and they all felt it was helpful, said Knapp.

"All but one is planning to be seen or has been seen for follow-up appointments," she said.

The annual event, which was held from 1 to 4:30 p.m. in the HUB-Robeson Center, had a smaller turnout than previous years, she said. She said that many students were leaving town for the weekend rather than attending.

Students who did attend could participate in a survey about depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. The day was also planned to educate students about screenings for such disorders. The survey was informational, but did not diagnose students with depression, Knapp said.

CAPS distributed several handouts on mental health and were showing videos periodically throughout the afternoon.

"Students can come and just get information, but it doesn't diagnose them since they aren't meeting with a counselor for a great length of time," she said.

After completing the questionnaire, students could then meet with a CAPS counselor about the test results. In a private room, students could discuss the implications of the survey for treatment, such as therapy sessions and medicines, she said.

For students who want to take the survey on mental health but did not attend last week, it can be accessed online from the CAPS Web site, http://www.sa.psu.edu/caps/self-help.shtml, Knapp said.

However, with the survey online, "there is no personal interaction but just gives general recommendations," Knapp said.