Web site addresses depression among 18- to 24-year-olds

Although the reasons for depression vary, it is a common problem among college students. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students, according to the Web site halfofus.com.\nIn order to give young adults the courage to talk, mtvU and the Jed Foundation have created halfofus.com, a Web site geared toward college students that attempts to “initiate a public dialogue to raise awareness about the prevalence of mental health issues on campus and connect students to the appropriate resources to get help.” The name of the site comes from the fact that nearly half of all college students say they have felt so depressed that it interferes with functioning during the school year.\n“In one sense, throughout human history ... human beings have turned towards all sources of help. Starting out with something other than a professional to get help, I don’t see as necessarily a negative thing,” said psychologist Nancy Stockton, director of the IU Health Center’s Counseling and Psychological Services. \nMtvU is partnering with the Jed Foundation, a nonprofit organization for college students that attempts to prevent suicide and mental health issues. \n“We view this as an incredible partnership and a groundbreaking campaign. MtvU understands how to connect with students and raise awareness of important social issues. The stigma around mental health is so dangerous. Real people telling their real stories are a powerful tool to fight that stigma,” said Courtney Knowles, the Jed Foundation’s director of communications, according to a CPNewsLink transcript from March 27.\nHalfofus.com enables students to share their stories and read those that have already been posted by other students and music artists, including Mary J. Blige and Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy. The site provides links to information about such issues as depression, bipolar disorder, suicide, eating disorders, anxiety, stress, alcohol and drugs. Students can find how to get help at their individual schools, and there is information about national organizations that help people fight these issues. The Web site also has an online screening tool developed by the Duke University Medical Center and information about how students can become involved in mental health awareness at their schools.\nBefore starting the Web site, mtvU conducted a study called “mtvU College Mental Health Study: Stress, Depression, Stigma & Students.” Halfofus.com is based around the study’s findings, catering to the most common needs and feelings of students who suffer from depression and other mental health problems.\n“Generally speaking, it’s probably easier for people to speak over the Internet,” Stockton said. “Yet with students who come to CAPS and make an appointment, most of them don’t have difficulty talking. Part of the training for therapists involves creating conditions in which people are comfortable talking.”\nAt IU, students who need help can go to the fourth floor of the Health Center, 600 N. Jordan Ave., where the CAPS office is located. For appointments and information, call 855-5711 between 8 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. Monday through Friday.