Above: Members of Psychology Club posed for a photo at their National Depression Screening Day event. Photo courtesy of Nariah Einfeldt.
University of Michigan’s School of Public Health estimates 44% of college students report moderate to severe symptoms of depression during the academic year. Did you know that 37% of these students also report anxiety disorders, and 15% report seriously considering suicide in the past year?
How can we stop the stigma?
In an effort to raise awareness about depression and challenges from mental health stigma, St. Ambrose Psychology/Psi Chi Club hosted a National Depression Screening Day on October 17th from 5:00pm – 7:00pm in the Cosgrove Cafeteria.
Vice President of the Psychology/Psi Chi Club, Nariah Einfeldt, spoke about what outcomes she hoped to recieve from this event, “We expected to raise awareness and support for students regarding their mental health by providing an opportunity to discuss the signs and symptoms of depression and other disorders, along with resources, and the damages of stigma.”
She says the goal is to bring awareness to SAU students regarding all signs and symptoms, not just depression. She says, “Our results indicate that we screened approximately 79 individuals with 29 screening positive for depression and 34 screening positive for anxiety.”
By encouraging students to participate in the screening, the Psychology/Psi Chi Club was able to help students recognize that it’s okay to not be okay.
Licensed Mental Health Counselor and St. Ambrose Counseling Center Therapist, Sarah Godwin, spoke about the importance of National Depression Screening Day. “Public screenings are great tools to assess how you are doing and may help you realize you are struggling in one area or another and need to take action. This could be lifestyle changes, addressing basic needs or talking to a therapist about it.”
The stigma and negative perceptions associated with mental health are significant barriers that prevent many people, particularly college students, from acknowledging the signs of mental health struggles.
Nariah expressed, “Individuals who are depressed are not naive; they recognize that historically identifying with depression has been associated with negative associations and a status drop in society.”
She says that this awareness can further lead to feelings of isolation and reluctance to seek help, as individuals grapple with the fear of judgment and societal rejection while struggling with a variety of mental illnesses and/or challenges in life.
With this feeling, it can be hard for those to express their true selves and share their struggles openly. Godwin says the advice she would give to someone who is struggling with depression but feels ashamed to talk about it.
“I think feeling ashamed comes from society and/or beliefs we have from childhood or others around you. Recognizing you can determine your own beliefs and values can help you to recognize asking for help is not a weakness, but a strength, so you can heal and process difficult things. Everyone experiences a whole range of emotions and sometimes we need help getting through difficult times.”
Because college is a drastic change for many students, especially freshman, mental health can easily be overlooked while adapting to their new environment. Sarah highlights these internal conflicts and stresses the importance of staying attuned to available resources.
“Being an advocate for mental health awareness and supporting public causes is one way. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) are a few local organizations where you can get connected.”
For more information, visit the St. Ambrose Counseling Center located in the main level of Rogalski, or if you need help contact 988 for the national call/text crisis line or local crisis line.
Addison Hendrick is a staff writer for The Buzz.
