It’s safe to say most Americans are feeling the economic crunch.But a lack of consumer spending is not the end of the recession’s effects, and these times of relative hardship are often harbingers of other concerns. Many of the factors that lead to an economic depression — job cuts and decreased incomes for example — can also lead to psychological depression. In attempting to shed this malaise many will attempt escapism. But instead of looking toward the movies and TV, we should look towards volunteer work as way to escape from the drudgery of life. Many people see depression in extremes but it isn’t always the hermit that won’t leave their house or the person that breaks down into tears at seemingly random times.  No, depression comes in many forms. It affects both the young and the old, and it can also be augmented by social conditions. Times of economic hardship often bring extreme stress and, as a result, depression.This recession will no doubt create deep veins of depression in this country. In particular though, I wonder about the way it will affect the younger age groups.  As a generation, their lives have been filled with excess since their youths. Their parents — and in some cases grandparents — were often told stories of the old days when their grandmother’s had to make gumbo Z’herbes on a weekday because there was no meat. The 20- and 30-somethings of today lack that recognition of history and for the most part, that generation knows little of sacrifice. These trying economic times may come at a higher price for the working-young because for many, this will be the first taste of true frugality and economic hardship. Stressful times call for escapism.Nationally there is a strong historical precedent for seeking out means of escape during harsh economic times. During the Great Depression the movie industry boomed as Americans left their homes to go out and take their mind off of their troubles.  I have no doubts many financially strapped Americans will do the same.But the world is a bit different these days, and in today’s society the escapist means of years past are now daily time-wasters.The working-young mentioned earlier have grown up with television, movies and video games.  That creates an issue, as some of the shine may have worn off of the old means of escape and this generation will need to look towards newer forms of consolation. It seems like a bit of a stretch, but volunteering could offer a new form of escapism. By donating our time to helping others — be it at a soup kitchen or with a local church outreach group — we help both ourselves and others. Social scientific research can corroborate this idea. In his 2005 doctoral dissertation, the University of Kansas’ Jamie Ryder found college students in particular had increased levels of psychological well-being brought about through the social connections made through volunteering. It’s those social connections one makes by volunteering that can help with these harsh times. Inevitably, some people will turn to watching more TV, going to more movies and playing more video games. But those aren’t quite the escapes they used to be. Ultimately, volunteering allows us to connect with others, escape from our daily lives and provide others with some help in the process — I can’t think of many TV shows that can do that. —-Contact Skylar Gremillion at [email protected]