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Cara Bravo
English 1100 College Writing
Professor Lago
5 May 2014
Depression in College Students
Abraham Lincoln had many mental issues, depression being one of them. Alvin
Silverstein, Virginia Silverstein, and Laura Silverstein-Nunn stated in the book Diseases and
People: Depression, It seems so hard to believe that a man like Lincoln, who was so level-
headed and held such an important job, could be so tormented by depression. Yet this is a
chronic disease that can affect anyone, anywhere, and at any time (Silverstein and Nunn 8).
This goes to show how even the happiest looking people can hide such dark secrets in their lives.
Many people do not fully understand what depression really is. Depression is not just being sad,
there is a lot more to it. Depression includes sadness, loss of interest, lack of motivation, feelings
of worthlessness, irritability, loneliness, and suicidal behaviors. The World Health Organization
states that more than 350 million people suffer from depression around the world (World Health
Organization). Anyone can be effected by depression. Depression is a much-underrated mental
illness that should be taken seriously. People also underestimate how helpful treatment can be.
There are many types of treatment for depression; therapy and medications are two examples.
People do not realize how helpful therapy and medication is when it comes to depression.
Many believe that telling a stranger your problems is a waste of time and medication is just
another way to be cheated out of money. What these people do not understand, is that depression
is a chemical imbalance in a persons brain. Medication helps balance out what is not right.
Depression is a very treatable disease; treatment can reduce symptoms in over 80 percent of
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depressed patients (Silverstein and Nunn 56). Going to therapy was the best decision I have
ever made. Being able to open up to someone who will not judge you, but help you get your life
together is a feeling unexplainable. I hated therapy at first. The first two months I went, I just sat
there looking at the floor not speaking. After I became more comfortable with my therapist, it
was unbelievably easy to speak my mind; a giant weight was lifted off my shoulders. The
relationship I have with my therapist goes beyond patient and doctor. Once I really started to
open up to her, she helped me discover and fix many issues I was completely unaware I had.
People always say that high school will be the best four years of your life. My high school
experience was terrible because of my depression. My therapist made it a lot more bearable.
Because of her, I was able to regain the confidence I needed to come to college. Without her, I
would not have made it to William Paterson University. Although I am now in college, my
depression is still in me and makes college life more of a challenge. College students are also
highly effected by depression; 30 percent of college students having depressive like symptoms
(National Institute of Mental Health).
Authors of Depression, Delinquency, and Suicidal Behaviors Among College Students
state that suicide continues to be a major public health concern among college students,
remaining the third leading cause of death among 18 to 24-year-olds in the United States
(Bauer, Chesin, and Jeglic 36). Although depression does not always lead to suicide, it is very
common. The article also discusses that young adults are most likely to attempt suicide or at least
have suicide plans. College brings a large amount of stress and responsibilities. Being young
adults, it is the students job to become organized and receive a degree for a successful future.
Having a history of depression myself, I can understand how this feels.
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After my grandfather died, I was diagnosed with severe depression. Before being
prescribed anti-depressants, I had many suicidal ideations, cut my wrists several times, and
attempted suicide. Late one summer night, I snuck out of my house while my parents were
asleep; I walked to a bridge in our town and climbed onto the ledge. Staring down into the dark
water mesmerized me into believing that there was no other way out. I missed my grandfather so
much, I just wanted to be with him; I did not know what else to do. My mother called me when I
was about to jump. Hearing her voice gave me clarity I needed to climb back over onto the
sidewalk. Once I got home, I ran into my mothers arms. Seeing her face and knowing I caused
her, my father, and my sister that much pain made me realize that it was time for me to get help.
After that, I began to see a therapist and eventually was prescribed an anti-depressant.
It has been four years since I attempted suicide. Although I no longer see a therapist, I am
still taking medication. I am now happier than I thought I could ever be. Even though I still have
days where I just stay in bed and sleep or cry I just think of my grandfather and how hurt he
would be of he saw me wasting away my life. Now that I am in college, I still have depressive
episodes now and then. The stresses of college can get difficult and I do feel symptoms of
depression.
College students are main contributors when it comes to depression, especially freshmen.
Making the transition from high school to college is hard enough. If a student decided to live on
campus, they also have to deal with living away from home for the first time. Many students,
myself included, have a hard tie with this aspect of college life. In addition, the stress from
classes and homework causes anxiety and depression. Certain social situations, such as partying,
drinking, and even doing drugs can also contribute to depression in college students.
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Bauer, Chesin, and Jeglic discussed how social activities can be a cause of depression.
Depression can also lead to withdrawal from social activities, which in turn can lead to feelings
of prosocial peer rejection and weakened prosocial attachments consequently resulting in an
attraction to antisocial peer groups and delinquent behavior (39). I have come across many
people in my life that turned to delinquent behavior because of depression. I had one friend that
became so depressed once he went to college that he began stealing and vandalizing peoples
homes. He completely rebelled against any type of authority figure. He also began to hang
around people who were known to cause trouble and refused to speak to anyone other than those
in their clique. Depression can cause people to do things that they normally would not do. Some
people turn to delinquency because a symptom of depression is believing that any action has no
type of negative consequence.
College has become extremely important over the past decade. Many jobs were not
available to people who do not have a college degree. According to Brad Plumer, only 27 percent
of Americans have jobs related to their majors. (Washington Post). Because of this, college has
become very competitive and stressful. Students push themselves to the limit to stand out and
impress future employers. Students drive themselves to the point where they become mentally
exhausted. Adding this to all of the other pressures of college life, depression and other mental
illnesses can occur. This is why many college campuss offer counseling sessions for students.
They are not only there to discuss academics, but to also help students with their personal issues.




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Works Cited
Bauer, Rebecca L., Chesin, Megan S., and Jeglic, Elizabeth L. Depression, Delinquency, and
Suicidal Behaviors Among College Students.
Depression. World Health Organization. Web.
Only 27 Percent of College Grads Have a Job Related To Their Major. Washington Post.
20 May 2013. Web.
Silverstein, Alvin, Silverstein, Virginia, and Silverstein-Nunn, Laura. Diseases And People:
Depression. Berkley Heights: Enslow, 1997. Print.
What Is Depression? National Institute of Mental Health. Web.