Understanding Depression

Almost all college students who die by suicide are suffering from an emotional disorder, most commonly depression. The first episode of depression often appears during the young adult years. Many factors can contribute to the onset of depression, including the presence of other mental illnesses (e.g., anxiety), stress, poor nutrition, physical illness, personal loss, and relationship difficulties. Not everyone experiences depression in the same way; some people may experience mainly behavioral changes, some mainly emotional changes, and still others mainly physical changes.

During an episode of depression, you may feel sad or lose interest in previously enjoyable activities, as well as experience one or more of the following symptoms:

    * Change in appetite or weight
    * Change in sleeping patterns
    * Fatigue or loss of energy
    * Difficulty concentrating
    * Agitation or unusually slow speech and movement
    * Feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, or guilt
    * Recurrent thoughts of death

Depression can affect your ability to work, study, interact with people, or take care of yourself. Although most depressed people will never attempt suicide, most people who attempt or die by suicide are depressed.  Fortunately, there are a variety of effective treatments for depression, such as individual counseling, group counseling, medication, or a combination of these.
 
In addition to depression, there are other emotional disorders that can increase a person’s risk for suicide such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or eating disorders. The best approach to treating suicidal individuals is to identify and treat any underlying mental disorder. This is especially important because, in the presence of an untreated emotional disorder, a stressful event such as a death, relationship difficulties, or a failed exam can sometimes push someone toward suicide. If you were diagnosed with a mental health problem away from college and take medication for it, find a physician at or near school who can monitor your progress, provide refills, and answer your questions about side effects and interactions.   
 
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If you are concerned that you or someone you know may be at risk for suicide, we strongly encourage you to do one or more of the following:

    * Contact a mental health provider on your campus or in your community
    * Call 1-800-273-8255(TALK), the National Suicide Prevention Hotline, for a referral
    * Call your college’s emergency number
    * Call 911