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DEPRESSION, SUICIDAL BEHAVIOR, AND GRIEF
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An estimated 15% of people in the United States will develop some form of a depressive (mood) disorder sometime in their lives. Frequently, the first appearance of significant depressed mood occurs in young adults, aged 18-21. Depression may coincide with a difficult life event such as the death of a parent, divorce, the breakup of a relationship, or some other form of loss. Depression may also occur "out of the blue" in people with family histories of depression or a biological predisposition to depression. It is not unusual for someone to have a day or two of feeling "down in the dumps" in a given month. However, when this feeling extends to several weeks or longer, depressed mood becomes more worrisome and even dangerous. Alcohol use and abuse greatly increase the likelihood of self-harm, as alcohol is not only a depressant drug but also disinhibits behavior.
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The good news about depression is that it is highly treatable, which is one reason why early identification is crucial. Any or more than one of the following signs can suggest that a student may be depressed:
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- Loss of pleasure in previously enjoyable activities
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- Significant weight loss or gain
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- Difficulty sleeping, or wanting to sleep all the time
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- Chronic low self-esteem, pessimism, or sadness
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- Feeling worthless or guilty
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- Hopelessness, thinking things will never get better
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- A sense of being overwhelmed by sadness or of "going crazy"
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- Hard-to-explain physical symptoms
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- Thoughts of death or suicide
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If symptoms persist beyond several weeks, you may want to refer the student to the Counseling Center (x5273). The Counseling Center staff work with students with depressive disorders frequently and know how to assist them with both medical and psychological care.
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Though most depressed people do not experience acute suicidal thoughts, it is important to be aware that self-harm (a "suicidal gesture") or the intent to commit suicide is always a possibility.
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Signs of potential suicidal thoughts include:
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- Overt or vague references to hopelessness ("Nothing matters anymore," or "I don't know if I can go on this way.")
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- Multiple symptoms of depression
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- Writing that includes themes of death
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- Giving away prized possessions
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- A sudden change in normal behavior
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- Increased substance abuse
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If you are concerned about a student's potential for attempting suicide, do not hesitate to contact the Counseling Center staff who are available 24-hours a day. The staff can be reached after 5 p.m. by calling Student Health (x5218) and asking that the Counseling Center on-call clinician call you back.
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Grief is a normal response to a loss, generally to the death of a loved one. Many students come to college never having had someone close to them die and are not prepared for the range of feelings that accompany an important loss. Typical symptoms of grief include:
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- Preoccupation with the loss
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There is no straightforward path toward the resolution of grief, as people heal in different ways and at different rates. Talking about the loss with someone knowledgeable about grief can help a student to move through the process. Helpers may include a member of the University Counseling Center staff (x5273), a Hospice counselor (768-3972), or a Campus Minister (x5248).
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