CAPS finds increase in student depression

Classes. Graduation. War. Recession. Money.

There can be a multitude of stressors that go through a college student’s mind, which can lead 18 to 22-year-olds to suffer from depression.

More students at IU are seeking help for depression and stress-related issues than ever before. Last year, the Health Center’s Counseling and Psychological Services received roughly 17,000 visits, most relating to depression and stress-related problems.

Depression can lead to a feeling of hopelessness, poor concentration, withdrawal and isolation. Director of CAPS Nancy Stockton said she believes untreated depression is one of the most common factors affecting a student’s academic performance, sometimes preventing a student from reaching graduation.

Stockton also said many students use detrimental and negative methods to help cope
with depression.

“Some students turn to alcohol or illicit drugs to try to feel better,” Stockton said. “This unfortunately usually compounds the problem.”

A focus for CAPS when diagnosing depression is finding what causes a depressive mood. Carolyn Lee, chief psychologist for CAPS, said many factors can lead to clinical depression, including suffering a large loss such as a death in the family, a bad breakup or a loss of a job. Lee also said other factors can be hazy, unnoticeable and occasionally overlooked.
“Sometimes, depression seemsto come out of nowhere and a person can’t identify which life circumstance which might have precipitated the depression,” Lee said.

Not only does depression wear on a student mentally, some students forget to take care of themselves physically.

Lee urged students to practice healthy habits to help prevent depression. Good self-care and hygiene, eating, sleeping and good social relationships, she said, are positive ways to help cope with frustrations.

Lee said she believes the resources students can use through CAPs will help when practicing healthy habits are just not enough.

Some of these services include individual and group counseling, relationship and success workshops and psychiatric help. Students who pay a health fee at the beginning of each semester are given two free counseling sessions per semester. Afterwards, individual sessions are $20, group sessions are $10 and workshops are still free.

A large focus for CAPS, Stockton said, is reaching out to students that might be unwilling to receive help.

Specifically, she said, some minority groups are hesitant to visit CAPS and are in danger of succumbing to the severe effects of depression. Recently, CAPS has created videos to post on their website to reach out to these reluctant groups.

“We are especially concerned that some students, such as African-American men, are especially reluctant to seek treatment for depression and suffer needlessly,” Stockton said.

Both Stockton and Lee said students should not be afraid to visit the office and see what CAPS can help with.

“We offer the opportunity to speak with a caring, knowledgeable professional,” Stockton said. “A professional who wants to listen to them and help students find the resources to solve the problems that are bothering them.”