What is depression?
Symptoms of Depression
Why do College Students Kill Themselves?
Myths and Facts About Suicide
Suicide Warning Signs
How to Help
Online Depression Screening
Resources

What is depression? (back to top)

Depression takes two significant forms. Almost everyone is depressed at some time throughout his or her life. This depression may result from several factors, including the recent loss of a family member or friend, disappointments in romantic relationships, or failure to live up to one's own or others expectations.

Major (clinical) depression is a biological (chemical imbalance) form of depression, which usually requires intervention with medication and proper diet and exercise. It is often chronic and a long-term problem that does not quickly disappear.

Depressive disorders are serious in that they involve the whole person: feelings, body, thoughts and behaviors. Depression is not a condition that can be willed away. People with a depressive illness cannot "pull themselves together" and get better or snap out of it. Symptoms of depression come in clusters.

Symptoms of Depression (back to top)

The symptoms are:

• Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood
  
• Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism
  
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
  
• Loss of interest or pleasure in ordinary activities including sex
  
• Withdrawal from family and friends
  
• Sleep disturbances (insomnia, early morning waking, or oversleeping)
  
• Eating disturbances (either loss or gain of appetite and weight)
  
• Decreased energy, fatigue, being "slowed down"
  
• Thoughts of death or suicide, suicide attempts
  
• Restlessness, irritability
  
• Increased alcohol consumption
  
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
  
• Physical symptoms, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain that do not respond to treatment

There is treatment available for those suffering from a depressive disorder, but the first step is seeking help in order to receive proper diagnosis.

Why do College Students Kill Themselves? (back to top)

Because each individual is unique there is no single reason as to why a student commits suicide. However, there are several factors that may contribute to a student having suicidal thoughts. These include:

• Major life transition, such as loss of a loved one, breaking up with a boyfriend/girlfriend, moving to a new town or school, failing an exam or course, not getting into one's choice of major, etc. These major life changes can cause a college student to feel unloved, depressed, isolated and lonely.
  
• Feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. Problems in living seem more than one can bear. No matter what one does things do not seem to be getting better and no one seems to care or can help.
  
• Negative feelings about oneself. A student who is suicidal experiences feelings of worthlessness and of being a failure. He/she may not be doing well in school or may not be excelling in academic or social areas that are of interest.
  
• Wanting to end unbearable pain/problems that are so overwhelming.
  
• Alcohol and substance abuse can cause a student to lose self-control and engage in impulsive suicidal behaviors.

Note that depression is a major contributing factor to suicidal thinking

Myths and Facts About Suicide (back to top)

There are many myths about suicide:

MYTHS

• Asking a student if he/she is thinking about suicide will put the idea into his/her head.
  
• Once a student decides to commit suicide there is no way of stopping him/her.
  
• Suicide happens without warning.
  
• Students who commit suicide are mentally ill.

FACTS

• Discussing the problem openly shows the suicidal student that someone cares and wants to help.
  
• Most students who are suicidal do not want to die. They are making a "cry for help".
  
• The people who attempt or commit suicide have shown some warning sign(s).
  
• Students who are suicidal are not necessarily mentally ill.

  Suicide Warning Signs (back to top)

  There are verbal and non-verbal warning signs of suicide that will let you know that your classmate or friend is crying for help.

  NON-VERBAL warning signs include:

  • Giving away personal or prized possessions.
    
  • Increased alcohol or drug use.
    
  • Sleeping too much or too little.
    
  • Lack of interest in personal appearance.
    
  • Lack of interest in friends.
    
  • Lack of interest in social activities that were formerly of interest.
    
  • Poor performance in school.
    
  • Boredom, restlessness, and loss of concentration.

  VERBAL warning signs include such negative statements as:

  
  “Instructors, classmates, families and friends do not care."
  “Life isn't worthwhile."
  "People are better off without me."
  “Everything seems to be going wrong."
  "I don't need this any more."

  Please note that many of these warning signs are signs of depression. Depression does not necessarily mean that a person is contemplating suicide. However, depressed people often think of suicide.

  How to Help (back to top)

  • Talk openly and freely and ask direct questions about the student's intention.
    
  • Listen to what is said and treat it seriously.
    
  • Encourage the student to seek help. If they refuse, offer to go with them, but don’t promise you won’t tell appropriate
    
  • Do not add to your friend/classmate's guilt by debating, arguing or lecturing about whether or not suicide is right or wrong.
    
  • Tell your RA or RD immediately or call the campus counselor.
    
  • NEVER leave a student alone, who is suicidal.

  Online Depression Screening (back to top)

  To take a depression test go to:
  https://www.mentalhealthscreening.org/

  Resources:

  BVU:
  Kelly Mattis, Director of Counseling Services
  Phone: 1226 & 2123 Email: mattisk@bvu.edu

  National Institutes of Mental Health
  http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/index.cfm

  Anxiety Disorders Association of America
  http://www.adaa.org

  National Mental Health Association
  http://www.adaa.org

  National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
  http://www.nami.org/

  Behavior Online
  http://www.behavior.net/

  Virtual Pamphlet:
  http://counseling.uchicago.edu/vpc/

  Health @ health.com
  http://www.athealth.com/

  Phobia Clinic website
  http://www.ChangeThatsRightNow.com/

  PsychCentral
  http://psychcentral.com/