Everyone feels sad or "blue" on occasion. It is not unusual for students to feel somewhat sad and depressed while they are adjusting to a new academic and social environment. However, for some students, adjustment difficulties or other stressors may trigger a clinical depression.

Each person has a certain susceptibility to depression, just like each person has a certain susceptibility to developing diabetes or heart disease (e.g., persons with a family history of depression are more susceptible). Many kinds of stressors can trigger a clinical depression, including relationship break-ups, experiences of failure or loss, or the stress of adjusting to a new environment. Clinical depression has been called the "common cold" of mental health, since about 3 to 5% of the population is clinically depressed at any one time, and about 20% are clinically depressed at some time in their life.

The distinction between "normal" adjustment difficulties and clinical depression can be a subtle one. The warning signs listed below can help identify students who may need professional attention.

Warning Signs of Clinical Depression

• Feeling depressed most of the day
• Loss of interest in activities that used to be enjoyed
• Fatigue; low energy level
• Social withdrawal
• Missing class; avoiding academic responsibilities
• Feelings of hopelessness
• Low self-esteem
• Impaired concentration
• Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
• Sleeping much more (or less) than usual
• Moving and speaking much more slowly than usual, or visibly more agitated and "hyper" than usual
• Increased appetite/significant weight gain, or decreased appetite/significant weight loss (when not dieting)
• Indecisiveness
• Diminished ability to think
• Recurrent thoughts of death
• Thoughts of suicide
  

Many of these symptoms can be caused by problems other than depression. However, if a student is experiencing three or more of these symptoms nearly every day for two or more weeks, he or she should be encouraged to seek professional assistance. Two sources of help for Tulane students are the Center for Educational Resources and Counseling (865-5113), and the Student Health Center psychiatry department (865-5255, ext.3).

When approaching a student you are concerned about, it is helpful to state what you have observed, e.g., "I've noticed that you seem down and have been keeping to yourself and staying in your room a lot lately. I'm concerned about you."

It is O.K. to ask about suicidal thoughts directly, e.g., "Sometimes when they're depressed, people think about death or suicide. Have you been having these kinds of thoughts?" You do NOT increase the risk of suicide by asking about it. Students who are having suicidal thoughts are often relieved to be asked.

If a student is having suicidal thoughts, it is important to contact one of the campus resources listed above right away, and ask that the student be seen as soon as possible.

If you have questions or concerns about how to handle a particular situation involving a possible mental health issue, please feel free to consult with the professional staff at the Center for Educational Resources and Counseling (504-865-5113) or the Student Health Center, psychiatry department (504-865-5255, ext.3).