Going to college can be a very exciting part of your life, but for many students, it also opens the door to a range of mental health problems, such as depression. There are many reasons why college students may start suffering from depression during their time at university. Pressure to meet work deadlines, get good grades, socialize, and manage money can all mount up and cause levels of stress which many young people are not used to dealing with, off of which can cause depression to creep up. Depression amongst students is more common than you may think. If you are a student and currently battling depression, here are some things that you can do to deal with it.
Don’t Suffer in Silence
If you are feeling depressed, it is vital to ensure that you do not suffer in silence. There is a lot of help available for students who are suffering from depression, from regular sessions with a college counsellor to organizations such as Smart Brain and Health, who provide depression treatment Los Angeles. Keeping your feelings to yourself will simply intensify them; depression does not simply go away if you try and ignore it. Instead, seek help from your doctor or college counsellor who will be able to provide you with much-needed support. There are many different ways to treat depression, whether it be medication, counselling, or natural therapies. However, you can’t treat depression on your own and you will need to go through your treatment options with a health professional to find one which works well for you.
Take a Break If Needed
When you are at college, it can be easy to put your health on the back burner, making getting good grades your highest priority. But, depression can certainly interfere with your motivation to work and your results. If you are battling depression, it may be worth taking a break from your college work so that you can focus on yourself and your health. Colleges have plans in place for students who need to take some time out due to health reasons, allowing you to have a few weeks, months, or even a full year off from education, with your place at the college ready and waiting for when you are well enough to return.
Understand You’re Not Alone
Suffering from depression can be hugely isolating. At times, you may feel that nobody really understands you, or that you’re the only person in your friendship group who is suffering or has ever suffered from depression. However, in reality, more people have suffered with depression than you may realize. There are many support groups that you may want to consider joining in order to make friends with people who understand what you are going through. Also, offering support to others who need it can boost your self-esteem and help you to feel better about yourself.
Suffering from depression as a student can be tough. But, it’s important to understand that just like any other illnesses, you can’t ignore depression and must get treatment and support.
