College Depression

            Depression is a major issue that many people have to face in life.  Alissa Steiner wrote a piece about depression in college students in response to a feature article. In this article, Alissa raises the awareness of depression that is a worldwide issue. Depression is an illness that inhibits the ability for a person to function normally each day. College students are being faced with stress that causes them to go into a dark place. Anxiety puts students into suicidal thoughts, where they begin to cut their skin and isolate themselves from the world. College is often the time where stress and pressure easily puts students into depression. Steiner's main point is that depression should be understood as a major issue and that colleges should reach out to students to help them before it's too late.

            In the article, Nima Shaterianl and Elizabeth Shin have committed suicide due to busy life they face in college. Nima Shaterianl was bright, friendly, gifted, and popular. Nobody would have guessed someone like him would shoot himself. Personally, I find it interesting how someone who is popular would suicide rather than someone who works hard yet isn't popular. Nima is one of the 11 UC David's students, who had committed suicide. A study by the American College Health Association in 2005 showed that 15 percent of college students around the century have been diagnosed with depression. Therefore, it is important to publicize and reach out to students. Steiner describes depression and its triggering factors in order to allow someone to recognize it. She also concludes with ways to look out for each other with anyone going through this problem.

            Elizabeth Shin, an MIT sophomore set herself on fire in her dorm.  She was viewed as popular, busy, and self-motivating. Again, the unexpected are also the ones to go through depression, which is why Steiner wants colleges to publicize about depression. Students juggle with school, work, extracurricular activities, family, relationships, and many other things. It's a tough world and the demands are increasing for students to earn advanced degrees. Working to support themselves and keeping up their grades is difficult and creating stress and hopelessness. The first step to help a friend, who is in crisis or appears to be, is acknowledging their feelings. Expressing concern and allowing them to express their own feelings is crucial. Another crucial step is to understand them.  It is hard for students in depression to let out their thoughts. This is true, knowing one of my friend's mother, who has depression. She wasn't able to handle stress and with no one to talk to, she fell into depression.
            Universities need to realize the importance of students' mental health. College is important years in a student's life, where they stress the most about their future. Students need to know that there are people who are willing to help them in order to even wish seek help. My friend had a bad experience talking to a counselor causing her to lose her trust for school advisers. Not only does counseling need to be a priority, but the counselors need to understand what students face during depression.

            Those who do not understand depression will not realize the importance of raising awareness. In this essay, I would question the reader, trying to place them in the shoes of those helpless students. For example, "If you really were to consider death, wouldn't you want someone to help you deep inside?" or "What if you felt like you were all alone in the world and no one is there to help you?". I support Steiner's view on depression. It is important for students to have someone to talk to.