Depression is a serious and important issue on college campuses across the country. College students are susceptible to depression due to potential factors such as stress with school, work, or finances, or possibly feeling isolated after moving away from friends and family.
Symptoms of depression include: a depressed mood (feeling sad, empty, or hopeless); lack of interest or pleasure in activities that you used to enjoy; fluctuations in weight; difficulty with sleeping; low energy; feeling worthless; feeling guilty; difficulty concentrating; difficulty making decisions; feeling irritable; feeling restless; and/or feeling suicidal.
Engage in Psychotherapy – You can handle depression alone, reach out to a professional as soon as you can
Explore Medication Options
If you are experiencing symptoms of depression it is generally a good idea to talk with your primary care provider about this. Your doctor can help you rule out or treat any medical issues that may be contributing to symptoms of depression. Nurse practitioners, doctors, and psychiatrists can all prescribe medication to treat depression. After talking with you about your specific symptoms your medical provider may request that you try meeting with a mental health therapist before starting medication. However, sometimes psychotherapy is not enough for more severe forms of depression and you, your therapist, and your doctor may decide that medication would be helpful. Fortunately, advances in medicine have provided a number of medications that can be effective in treating depression.
Practice Mindfulness Exercises
Mindfulness can be defined as staying aware and conscious in the present moment.
Spend Time in Nature – This is also called Ecotheraphy, a stroll once in a while during cool evenings and focus on nature and not your worries would help
Exercise
Exercise has countless physical health benefits such as strengthening your heart, lowering blood pressure, reducing body fat, and improving strength. Exercise has also been shown to have numerous mental health benefits including reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. Students can also benefit from the impact that exercise has on the brain including improved memory and thinking skills.
Strengthen your Social Connections If you are feeling depressed it is likely that you may not be engaging in all the activities you once were. This can lead to isolation from family, friends, and other peer supports. Students Against Depression points out that “Depression thrives in conditions of social isolation and loneliness. Breaking this isolation and reaching out to others for support is a powerful way in which to fight depression.”
Improve your Sleep Habits
Having a good night’s sleep does your mind well and improves your mental health, try to sleep whenever you feel tired.
