Q. What is depression?

A. Depression takes many forms, from long term unhappiness to clincal depression. Efforts toward self-actualization are shown to help overcome depressed states. Working toward goals, learning people skills, affirming the ability to meet challenges and enjoying fun activities all increase happiness, affect self-esteem and help overcome depression. Cognitive behavior therapy, such as stopping and substituting negative thoughts with more positive or objective thoughts can have tremendous effects. These methods fall under the category of psychological methods, and there are chemically-based methods for dealing with chronic, more severe depression.

Click here to go to a self-screening inventory, but it is not a "diagnosis", just an indication of possible symptoms. This may be helpful as a resource for you when talking with students.

The following link is an article on depression from Scientific American presenting a neurobiological perspective. Some of the links don't work, but it is definitely worth investigating.

If you suspect a student may be suffering from depression, please take him or her aside privately and recommend that he or she visit the mental health counselor on campus. At SBCC, this is located in the Student Services building, room 170. Each student can talk with a personal counselor six times as part of student fees.

Please send your questions and/or answers for either teachers or students to Gerry Lewin for possible posting.