Knowing the signs of depression

Depression can affect anyone, and knowing the signs to look out for could mean the difference between life and death for a person you know and care about.

With that in mind, the counseling center gave students and the entire SUNYIT community the chance to be screened for potential depression issues or mood disorders on October 16, National Depression Screening Day. Brief, anonymous screenings were available to anyone who wanted to take part, providing insight into the symptoms they might be experiencing. The screening day also offered the opportunity to learn more about depression and disorders that could help in the treatment of others.

“Depression is very treatable, but people need to be aware that they have it in order to know how to treat it,” says Sandra Mizerak, mental health counselor.

To ensure that student mental health is a priority for everyone on campus, “We really are trying to be more visible to faculty and staff,” says Colleen McSweeney, mental health counselor. “They’re the first line of defense.”

McSweeney says on a college campus, awareness of the signs and symptoms of depression is a first step, for individuals as well as in co-workers, students, family and friends. Those signs can include diminished energy, loss of interest in favorite things, poor appetite, feelings of worthlessness and thoughts of suicide, blaming one’s self for things, and an outlook of hopelessness about the future. And it’s important to distinguish between clinical depression and what’s known as adjustment disorder.

“With adjustment disorder, there is an event after which a person goes through depression – loss, death, divorce – and then that event changes, and they get through it and it’s gone,” McSweeney said. “With clinical depression, chemical imbalances or other factors require treatment.”

McSweeney and Mizerak say clinical depression is characterized by symptoms lasting two weeks or longer without a significant event causing them. Whatever the issue, they are available to provide counseling services to students. The mission of the counseling center, co-located with health and wellness in Oriskany Residence Hall, is to provide a safe, confidential and comfortable environment for students to discuss life challenges.  The center provides individual and group counseling that enhances self-esteem and empowers the individual to make better decisions. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 315-792-7172. Counseling services are provided with strict confidentiality.