Vanguard

Issue date: 10/8/07 Section: Lifestyles

Media Credit: http://www.brandonu.ca

It is an understatement to say that college is a stressful time for everyone involved. Many students are away from home for the first time, and countless are struggling to balance passing their classes and paying the rent or supporting their families. The stressors are different for everyone, but seem to affect people.

During this stressful period full of new trials and transitions, it is easy for students to slip into a "funk" and not even realize it. For this reason, the South Alabama Psychology Clinic is hosting a free Depression Screening Day for USA students and the broader community. This screening will take place in the USA Psychology Clinic, on the corner of Jaguar Drive and Old Shell Road, next to the Baptist Student Center.

This event, which will take place Oct.11, is part of National Screening Day, according to Dr. Cay Welsh, the coordinator of the USA Psychological Clinic. South Alabama has been participating in National Screening for about 10-15 years, with each year overseen by Dr. Welsh.

The actual screenings are multi-faceted. Each screening takes about 45 minutes to complete. The resources used include brochures about the various aspects of depression and anxiety and a short video.

There is also a short, anonymous questionnaire that individuals will fill out. A staff member will assess the questionnaire and discuss it with each person. This is done in private, in a room separate from all of the other individuals there for screening. If any significant degree of depression or anxiety is indicated, the individual will receive one-on-one information about all of the resources and treatments that are available, both on campus and in the community.

According to Dr. Welsh, this screening day is very important because people are either very hesitant to seek help for themselves or do not recognized their own warning signs. "Treatment for depression is available and highly effective," says Dr. Welsh.

This free screening is very important to college students. Dr. Welsh states that "Suicide is the second leading cause of death among teens and 20 somethings." Part of the purpose of this screening day is to make students aware of the signs of depression and suicide. Everyone needs to be able to recognize these signs in him or herself or in loved ones.

It would be easy for students to blow-off the screenings on Oct. 11. However, The University of South Alabama free screenings are important both to each person's individual health and possibly to the health of a friend who is struggling. Students should not let the stereotypes that go along with depression and anxiety keep them from stopping by the free clinic.

Depression is much more common than most people think, so the common stereotypes are completely obsolete. Students should do something for themselves on Thursday and go to the free screening.

To make an appointment with the USA Psychological Clinic, call 460-7149.

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