Mikaelian !

Alexandria Mikaelian


Professor Batty

English 101

26 March 2019

The Depression Epidemic

Depression is an epidemic that is as common as a cold and it can affect anyone. Its

presence is almost unrecognizable, as it is difficult to glance over at someone and give them a

diagnosis. Our society is not that technologically advanced where we can simply read minds and

know exactly what one is experiencing, however, what we can do is make an effort to better

understand this disorder. Depression is a mental illness that can have a major toll on ones

emotional and physical status. Simple daily tasks become the most strenuous activities to

accomplish. Unfortunately, the depression phenomenon is severely prevalent in the college

community. The environment in which college students struggling with depression are exposed

to effects their daily lifestyle, including their success in college. Colleges should emphasize that

these students do not need to venture this battle alone as help is readily available, whether that

can be provided through social media, counseling, and friends or family.

In a generation dominated by technology, resourceful websites are easily available. Social

media is a platform that our generation is accustomed to. Our daily lives are shared for all to see

from posting selfies to pictures of our favorite foods to writing tweets on how miserable our day

has been, and the list goes on. It isn’t shocking that students use social media as a way to discuss

their mental state, “while college students in need of psychological services don’t always reach

out to the counseling center, we do know that many are expressing their emotions in some way,
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via social media.” (Seidel). We live in a world filled with all kinds of people. Some feel as

though they can better express themselves on the internet as there is a boundary between reality

and the computer screen. In turn, these websites can be a form of counseling that is done on a

social profile to which many students can associate themselves with. This allows students to

reach out to counselors or other mental health professionals who can better assist them through

online discussions. Also, college students are able to discover other students that are struggling

with depression and can support one another. Social media is a powerful platform that can aid

these students.

Thoughts of depression flutter through the minds of students, waiting to be set free. If one

chooses to let those thoughts free, they can be kept safely in the mind of another, a counselor.

The amount of students that experience depression on campus is at an alarming rate, "according

to the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI), almost 73 percent of students with a mental

health condition experienced a health crisis on campus, but over 34 percent reported their college

didn’t know about it" (McWhirter). With on campus counselors readily available, such a high

percentage of students not seeking help should spark concern for these colleges on the wellbeing

of their students. Colleges should emphasize the presence of counselors on-site for these

students. In addition, colleges can take a giant step by having counselors approach students

themselves in a supportive manner. Counseling is a beneficial on campus resource for many

students to utilize, however, some may freight that colleges will not have the funds to support

such programs. It is a valid point that an increase in the quality and quantity of counselors

provided by these colleges is costly, nonetheless, this should not interfere with what should be

supplied for these students. The importance of students mental health and the environment to
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which they surround themselves in has a major impact on their academic achievement.

Therefore, the additional costs are reasonable as they would be going towards a program that will

increase student success. Also, colleges can host fundraisers to collect donations towards

providing theses students with the appropriate counselors to support their mental health and

success in college.

Depression is like a beast that cannot be tamed, but with the assistance of family or

friends, such success can be attained. Interactions with those we are closely related to can assist

these college students. College students are familiar with two major environments: on campus

and at home. Home can be classified physically or it can be someone they feel safety with. It is

important to understand that social interactions have a positive effect on these students, “try to

spend time with supportive family members or friends. Talking with your parents, guardian, or

other students who listen and care about you gives you support” (NIMH). It is one thing to be

there for someone versus understanding what they are going through and supporting them

through it. Colleges can have programs to educate parents and students alike on how to cope

with depression. With programs like these, parents and colleagues can be informed on how to

reach out and help students that struggle with depression. The dispersion of such information can

be at an assembly, through email, on the college website, announcements, etc. The more

educated everyone is on depression and how to deal with it, the greater the effort is on the

conquer this epidemic.

Depression is a topic that our society is well aware of. As a whole, we need a better

understanding of depression, in order to support those who are struggling with it. Colleges are a

significant source to provide both on and off campus aid for students who are struggling with
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depression. Help can come in various ways whether that be on the internet, from one on one with

a mental health professional or through supportive family members or friends. The wellbeing of

college students struggling with depression and their academic success relies on the support of

colleges on emphasizing that there is help for them and not a single student is alone.
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Works Cited

“College Student Depression: How to Spot the Signs Early & Get Help.” College Student

Depression: How to Spot the Signs Early & Get Help, www.affordablecolleges.org/

college-resouce-center/college-student-depression/.

“Depression and College Students.” National Institute of Mental Health, U.S. Department of

Health and Human Services, www.nih.gov/health/publications/depression-and-college-

students/index.shtml.

Seidel, Erica J, et al. “Using Social Media to Connect College Students with Mental Health

Services.” OMICS International, OMICS International, 24 Dec. 2013,

www.omicsonline.org/open-access/using-social-media-to-connect-college-students-

with-mental-heal-the-services-2165-7912.1000e150.php?aid=21931.