The Facts: Depression and suicide-related problems are a serious problem on college campuses. At N.C. State, seven percent of students who visit the Counseling Center indicate that they’ve had suicidal thoughts.
Our Opinion: Depression, especially in its most severe forms, is a serious problem. Students should treat it as such.
After a tragic death in an off-campus incident early Friday morning, the University must grieve the loss of one of its own.
The event marked a sad day for the campus community, but it also presents an opportunity for students to reassess the ways in which they manage their own stress.
Tom Stafford, the vice chancellor for student affairs, exercises at Carmichael Gym daily. From outside observers’ scrutiny and from his own admissions, he has a stressful job. But he relaxes by going to the gym around his lunch hour; it’s his way of relieving stress.
Likewise, many students find it calming to take a break from the melee by going to the dining hall for a meal or hanging out with friends who foster healthy relationships.
If things are building up internally and students feel as though they have no one to talk to, campus’ Counseling Center at the Student Health Center has psychiatrists and counselors who are willing to provide unprejudiced, free-of-charge consultation.
There are options; the University provides many ways to curtail the high stress that comes along with the college environment.
Seven percent of the students that go to the Counseling Center indicate suicidal thoughts on their pre-screening analysis; and suicide is one of the highest killers of students in the college-age group. An analysis of past years at N.C. State shows that the University averages two or three annual suicide-related deaths.
Stress, depression and suicidal thoughts are no laughing matter and should not be ignored. Transition periods, such as the start of a new semester, are very stressful times for students and incidences of depression, or worse, are common.
Don’t take it lightly. Everyone has a story about a friend, family member or colleague who has battled with severe depression. Talk to them, it might be one of the most important conversations you ever have.
Whatever students do, they should take the recent events as a call to review their own wellbeing, buttress healthy relationships and evaluate different stress-management tactics.
