Understanding the signs of depression

Knowing the signs of depression can sometimes mean the difference between life and death for someone you know and care about.

Sometimes that person can be yourself.

“So many people have undiagnosed depression and anxiety. And those are two of the biggest disorders that college campuses are seeing currently,” said Sandra Mizerak, Mental Health Counselor at SUNY Poly in Utica. “It’s important for an early diagnosis in order for students to get the help they need before it affects their school and their social life.”

That’s why from 10 am to 3 pm on October 7, students were invited to stop by stations set up outside the Gannett Gallery in Kunsela Hall to get screened for possible depression.

Students had already begun showing up shortly after the screening stations opened, with apple cider and chocolate on hand to snack on, as were more serious material such as literature on noting the signs of depression and ways to cope with it.

Every year, the counseling center sees more and more students showing up for screenings, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that more are depressed. Mizerak says she think it’s a sign that more students are finding that they have a place to turn, especially with social media helping to spread the word.

Students began by filling out a survey, answering questions about how they’ve been feeling recently, giving counselors a rough idea if any symptoms of depression may be present. From there, the student sits down with a counselor in a private area to talk one on one about the feelings they’ve been dealing with.

“I distinguish between having depression and being depressed with specific symptoms that a person is likely to experience for a minimum of two consecutive weeks,” she said. “Those symptoms can include isolation, restlessness, fatigue, no longer wanting to engage in the things they once had interest in, too much or too little sleep, not eating, the idealization of suicide, and a sense of hopelessness.”

The counseling office also had Adult Coloring Books on hand, a very popular outlet of stress relief and a big hit at the Counseling Office’s Relaxation Room. The Relaxation Room is an area where students get a half-hour to de-stress, with everything from a massage chair to a cup of tea, and the chance to color for a bit and forget the world for a few moments.

Many times, people don’t want to take the first step and make an appointment with a counselor, Mizerak said, noting that there is still some stigma attached to depression. However, she notes that many students find the screening station to be easy and more comfortable than a formal appointment, as they don’t have to give their name and can simply sit down and talk. From there, she and other counselors make recommendations to the students for further steps to take if it seems needed.

“When these symptoms interfere with your academic or personal life and you can no longer function the way you did, that’s when you know it could be depression,” she notes”

Whatever issues may have you concerned, the people at the Counseling Center are here at SUNY Poly to help. Located with the Health and Wellness Center at Oriskany Residence Hall, their mission 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 on the counseling center and its services, or to schedule an appointment, call 315-792-7172. All counseling services are provided with strict confidentiality.