Today is the national depression day and BYU has joined other universities around the nation in an effort to help students.
Whether it’s your roommate, friend, a family member or even yourself that needs help, today’s screening fair at the career and academic success center can help you learn more about depression and find out it’s effects.
Students can come in and fill out a short questionnaire, talk to a counselor, and get important information.
The world health organization says depression affects more than half of americans adults. Utah ranks highest in life satisfaction, but also has one of the highest depression and suicide rate in the nation.
Dr. Shirley Cox says there is a common reason why, “I think they have an inflated idea of what’s possible. Some people really do here, and you kind of have to help them understand that life is all about challenges.”
Depression makes people focus on the negative in their lives. John Preston, a BYU student majoring in business knows all well, “if I’m not doing anything i feel a lot more lazy, and i don’t feel as good about myself” “but by being active and doing stuff i feel better.”
Sometimes it’s someone you care about who is struggling, like a friend or family member. Brady Anderson, a freshman BYU student, has a close friend who suffered from depression and knows how it feels.
“He wasn’t getting up in the morning,” said Anderson, “He didn’t want to go out and have fun; it was hard.”
Everyone experiences depression in his or her own way. Some sleep too much or too little and others don’t eat enough or they overeat.
As Dr. Cox says, the screening can help people recognize symptoms they don’t see themselves.
“The screening is wonderful, some people don’t even realize how depressed they are,” said Cox.
The event coordinators say screening day is always a success and a lot of people ask for help after they go. The event will be open until 5 in the Wilkinson Center and the Cannon Center, but students can always go to BYU counseling services.
