OPINIONS
6 -October 1, 2013
CAPS PSA: Down in the Dumps Stephanie L Field CAPS Have you ever felt own in the dumps? Or have you had a friend or family member who seemed sad all the time and just wasn’t him or herself? Everyone is vulnerable to being sad, blue, or gloomy at some point, but when the intense sadness becomes overwhelming it can be cause for serious concern. On Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. in 202 Evans Hall, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) invites you to an event, “Down With Depression.” Here we will learn about signs and symptoms of depression and suicide, how to tell the difference between clinical depression and “the blues,” how to cope, and even how to talk to a friend in need. Depression can be more difficult to identify than you may think. In fact, some folks may mistake anxiety and stress with depression, or even be suffering from both anxiety and depression symptoms! To learn more about how to cope with anxiety and stress, CAPS invites you to another event, “OMG, I Am So Stressed Out!” on Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. in 202 Evans Hall, where we will discuss and learn about how to beat stress and anxiety, and engage in some relaxation training to help you reduce the pressure of midterms! So what is depression, anyway? Common signs and symptoms include depressed mood almost all day every day, loss of interest in activities once enjoyed, feeling excessively guilty or worthless, indecisiveness and concentration problems, and frequent thoughts of death or dying. More visible signs that may be easier to identify include significant weight gain or weight loss (without attempts to diet), difficulty sleeping or lack of need to sleep almost every day, fatigue or energy loss, and appearing to move about in either an agitated and restless manner or in a slower manner. To help clarify things, let’s take some time to review common misconceptions and realities about depression and suicide: MYTH #1: Everyone who feels depressed wants to harm themselves or end their lives. FACT #1: There are different signs and symptoms of depression, and different levels of severity that people may experience. Although thoughts of self harm or suicide are more serious symptoms of depression, not everyone who experiences depression has thoughts of harming themselves. MYTH #2: My roommate’s not depressed; he’s just lazy because he sleeps and smokes marijuana all day! FACT #2: People suffering
from depression often have difficulty getting out of bed because they lack motivation to engage in daily activities. Also, they may prefer to sleep throughout the day instead of experiencing the pain and sadness of depression. People who are depressed also may turn to drugs, alcohol, or other mindaltering chemicals for multiple reasons (e.g. to have more control over emotions, to “get away” or “numb the pain,” etc.). So your roommate may appear lazy when he could actually be battling some intense emotional turmoil. MYTH #3: People who have suicidal thoughts or threaten to commit suicide really don’t mean it... they just want attention. FACT #3: Any and all suicidal threats should be taken seriously, no matter how often the person talks about it! According to the American Association of Suicidology, in 2010 someone in the U.S. committed suicide every 13.7 minutes. For people ages 15 to 24, suicide is the third ranking cause of death in the U.S. This is a serious issue! If someone threatens to harm him/herself, get help immediately! MYTH #4: If I talk to my friend about getting help for her depression, she will just think more about what’s bothering her and I will just make her feel more depressed! FACT #4: If you are concerned about a friend’s wellbeing, speak up! Showing that you care will probably help her feel better- not worse! Sure, it can be uncomfortable to talk about, but this also gives you the opportunity to be a reliable friend and change someone’s life. We hope these are some helpful hints; however they may not be enough for the support you need. So, CAPS can help! CAPS is right here on campus to offer assistance for the many challenges faced by college students. To make an appointment with a counselor, you are welcome to call (321) 674-8050 or walk in to the center. CAPS is located beside the Health Center, at the corner of Country Club Rd. and University Blvd. The CAPS website (www. fit.edu/caps) offers additional information regarding resources, services, and groups, as well as brief screenings for depression, anxiety, stress, eating disorders, and alcohol use. We realize it can be intimidating to ask for help, but we hope you reach out when you need us. CAPS is just one of many resources at Florida Tech that supports maintaining a happy and healthy you! CAPS is looking forward to seeing you for our “Down With Depression” event on October 3 and the “OMG, I Am So Stressed Out!” event on Oct. 8 — both are at 7 p.m. in 202 Evans Hall!
A Church Community with a Heart for the World
We are a growing, energetic, Biblical, Anglican parish with members from more than twenty countries.
Everyone is welcome here.
An interactive map is on our website: www.oursaviorpalmbay.org.
Or call us at 321-723-8032 for more information. Sunday Services at 8am and 10:30am Wednesday Services at 10am and 6pm
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