By: Amaris Gutjahr

Depression is more common among college students than some people might think. That’s why it is important to know what causes it and how to treat it.

“Depression occurs when a person feels sad for a prolonged period of time for no reason,” college General Psychology Professor Paul Landen said. That means that someone who lost a loved one and is grieving is not considered depressed. “They have a reason to be sad,” Professor Landen said. Professor Landen stated that, “depression is highest among people in their late teens.”

There are varying degrees of depression. “Major depressive disorder” is an extreme degree of depression marked by a severe “lack of motivation to do anything… all they feel like doing is sleeping,”  Professor Landen said. They isolate themselves and experience persisting and overwhelming feelings of hopelessness. Lower grade depression is characterized by “struggling to feel happiness,” losing interest in once enjoyable activities, and removing oneself from others. 

Professor Landen said that people suffering from depression “give themselves a lot of negative messages.” They think they are “dumb” or “ugly.” This helps to “feed” into their depression. Another factor that can impact depression is “negative explanatory style.” People who have this particular way of thinking blame themselves for the negative events that take place. 

Professor Landen explained that there are two main factors that play a role in depression – “biological” and “environmental.” Some people are at a greater risk of developing depression because of their genes. For example, someone who has family members with depression is more likely to develop depression than someone who does not have a history of the mood disorder in their family. Furthermore, environmental factors like high stress or lack of a support system can trigger the onset of depression. Professor Landen also stressed that “in order for you to feel okay, you need to have serotonin.” 

There are ways to treat depression. Medications called “selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors” or “SSRI” increase the levels of serotonin in your brain by blocking its reuptake. Talking with a licensed counselor can help people with depression by giving them an opportunity to process their thoughts and feelings, make goals, and serve as a support system. Professor Landen suggests using a combination of medication and counseling. “One is not as effective without the other,” Professor Landen said.

Professor Landen urges college students to take their mental health seriously and to get help when they need it. This means getting help when depression is “interfering with your life” or when you “feel overwhelmed” because of it. He also encourages students to “treat themselves with kindness.” If you have a friend who is struggling with depression, Professor Landen has some suggestions. “When people are hurting, they usually want people to listen, not to be given advice,” Said Professor Landen. When dealing with someone who is depressed, “listen to them and encourage them to get help.” If they are at risk of commiting suicide, get someone involved immediately. Remember, there are resources on campus dedicated to students’ mental wellness.

Resources for Mental Health:

-Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988

-Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ support): call (866) 488-7386

-Young People of Color Lifeline: text STEVE to 741741

-Trans Lifeline: call (877) 565-8860

-Appalachian Mental Health Center Hotline: call (304) 472-2022

All of these numbers can be found on the wellbeing.wvwc.edu website under resources and lifelines. To set up an appointment at the WVWC Center for Counseling and Wellbeing, email counseling@wvwc.edu or call (304) 473-8803.

Works Cited: 

SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors): Uses (clevelandclinic.org)

Is referenced from: How to Fight Suicide Risk / Counseling Highlands Ranch, Counseling Lone Tree (mountainvistapsychology.com)

Is referenced from: Can Depression Really Kill You? (verywellmind.com)