Depression

Depression is the world’s most common mental illness. It involves the brain, the mind, and the body in complex ways. Comparing everyday “blues” to depression is like comparing a cold to pneumonia. Major depression can destroy a person’s joy for living and can make food, friends, sex, or any other form of pleasure unappealing.

Signs of depression include:

Mood changes, including feeling sad, irritable, angry or cranky. Loss of interest in hobbies, sports or social events Lack of enjoyment in activities that used to be enjoyable Changes in appetite; loosing or gaining a lot of weight Changes in energy level Having trouble sleeping or sleeping much more than usual Persistent thoughts of suicide or death Physical symptoms (headaches, digestive problems, aches and pains)

College Student Mental Health
     Mental health issues are incredibly common on college campuses. Over the past decade there has been a marked increase in both the number of college students with mental health needs and the intensity of those needs.[i]  Over the past ten years, campuses nationwide have seen dramatic increases in serious mental health issues including eating disorders, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, gambling addiction, relationship problems, stress/anxiety disorders, personality disorders, suicidal thoughts, depression, grief, and academic and developmental problems.[ii] A national college health survey found that 9.5% of students surveyed had seriously considered suicide and 1.5% of students reported that they had attempted suicide within the last school year. As expected, the survey found a relationship between suicidal thoughts and depression, but also found that fewer than 20% of suicidal students were receiving treatment.[iii] 

     Mental health problems among college students have individual, interpersonal, and institutional consequences.  Students with mental health problems suffer physically, emotionally, cognitively, academically, and socially.  Although studies have shown that diagnosed depression is associated with a 0.49 point, or half a letter grade, decrease in student GPA, the impact of depression on academic performance decreases once a student is participating in a consistent treatment program.[iv] 

 Mental Health at Skidmore

     Data suggests that Skidmore students are facing the same mental health issues as college students across the country. Over half of Skidmore students report at least one symptom of depression, and just shy of 15% meet the criteria for clinical depression (characterized by at least five persistent depressive symptoms). Those with GPA’s below 3.0 are twice as likely to experience depressive symptoms.  In addition, students who sleep less than 7 hours per night are significantly more likely to report depressive symptoms than those who get at least 8 hours of sleep per night.

     Although many students choose to seek help from their friends and family members when they are struggling mentally or emotionally, it is important for all students to know about the services and supports that are available to them on campus.  Nearly 40% of our students report receiving individual or group counseling services prior to matriculating at Skidmore. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that the Skidmore Counseling Center is extremely well utilized. On average, by the time a class reaches its senior year, the Counseling Center has seen over half of the students at least once.  Despite high utilization rates, continual efforts are made to reach out to students and increase the scope of mental health services and supports available on campus.  This involves offering programs in residence halls, training residential life and other staff on campus, and working with student clubs that tackle mental health issues. The Counseling Center Website is http://cms.skidmore.edu/counseling/index.cfm at Skidmore offers one-on-one and group sessions and services are included in tuition.  The Counseling Center offers emergency and by appointment sessions, and a therapist is on call 24 hours a day during the academic year. The Counseling Center is on the first floor of Jonsson Tower and contacted at 518-580-5555.