Depression Screening on Campus Today

"I knew I had depression since freshman year of high school, but I was not comfortable with telling my parents," said "Jenny," a 19-year-old sophomore who has assumed a false name to remain anonymous.

She complained of fatigue but did not openly say she was depressed. When she finally did see her physician in December of her senior year of high school, she was formally diagnosed with depression. "Once you realize (you have depression), you make an effort to focus on the better things," Jenny said.

But her diagnosis represents only a small percentage of students -- one out of five -- who are treated for a disease that affects nearly 3 million teens nationwide. Officials hope that today they can help more people like Jenny seek treatment by screening for depression on campus.

Experts say that college students are at higher risk for depression because of the pressures of academics and the college lifestyle.

In fact, many cases of depression in college are often wrongly diagnosed as mononucleosis, or chronic fatigue syndrome.

UNC's Counseling and Psychological Services saw about 3,000 students last year, and the largest two issues they dealt with were anxiety and depression, said John Edgerly, director of CAPS.

Luke Selden, spokesman for Students for Mental Health Awareness, said the number who sought help is far less than the number of students who experience symptoms of depression. Selden said most people don't get help because of the stigma attached to mental illness.

"Most people don't think that their problems are big enough," he said.

Officials at SMHA aim to help students overcome the mental illness stigma as part of National Depression Screening Day today.

As part of the annual Mental Illness Awareness Week, SMHA is offering free screenings from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Union 211.

Students will be given a short questionnaire to see if they are at risk for or are exhibiting symptoms of depression, and mental health professionals will be on hand to talk with students who have questions.

But Jenny said the disease can't be treated with just a pill. Even with two months of therapy, Jenny tried to commit suicide by slashing her wrists.

Fortunately, she survived with, as she described it, "pretty shallow cuts." Often depressed teens attempt suicide, which is the third leading cause of death in the 10- to 24-year-old age group.

After the attempt, she began to see both a psychologist and a psychiatrist. Once there was a change in therapy, "I was pretty stable," she said.

Jenny continued treatment, but admitted, "I still had bad days."

Even though fighting the disease was not easy, she said, it is important to take the first step and seek help. "I want people to know that there is nothing to be ashamed of at all."

The University Editor can be reached at udesk@unc.edu.