Depression is an issue which many people face at some point during their life. Depression has been increasing amongst young people, and many students will experience depression during their time at university.
Depression is a serious illness which is very different from the common experience of feeling unhappy, miserable, or fed up for a short period of time. Most people go through periods of feeling fed up or down, but for many this feeling passes within a few days. For someone with depression this feeling builds up and intensifies causing them to feel sad for weeks or months. Eventually depression can take over their life, or even end it.
University students are increasingly being diagnosed with depression, and tutees may approach you for help as they see you as a figure they can trust. Alternatively, you may notice signs of depression in them during regular meetings or lecturers may alert you to some symptoms that they have noticed during contact time with the student.
The “Black Dog” story (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiCrniLQGYc) is a helpful video outlining the issues surrounding depression. This is around 4 minutes long. We recommend that you show this to your students in a group meeting, so they are aware of Depression and the effect it can have – hopefully inspiring them to be proactive if they see or feel any of the symptoms.
Causes of depression can be isolated to one event or can be a combination of factors. Listed below are some common causes of depression and some examples.
- Stressful events – for example: deadlines for assignments, managing workloads, balancing university with a job, exams & homesickness
- Relationships
- Illness – either of themselves or relatives / friends
- Unemployment – losing /failing to get a job while at university can add to monetary worries for students
- Family History – events within the family may impact the student
- Bereavement
- Loneliness – making friends at university can be difficult for some students.
- Alcohol & drugs – many students experiment with drugs and alcohol while away at university and for some this can lead to mental and physical health conditions, including depression.
- Giving birth
Depression affects people in different ways and symptoms of depression vary between cases. Some common signals to be aware of are:
- Persistent / unusual sad mood that does not go away
- Lasting feelings of hopelessness
- Lack of energy and tiredness
- Loss of confidence in themselves and their work
- Difficulty concentrating in lectures and seminars
- Loss of interest in personal appearance
- Moving very slowly or becoming agitated very easily
- Restlessness
- Change in weight and energy
- Lack of co-operation
- Intense feelings of guilt when they are not at fault
- Negative thoughts, suicidal thoughts & self-doubt