Help A Friend Find Hope

Public service announcement advocating heightened awareness of depression amongst college students.

*In 2008 over 50% of MU undergraduates reported experiencing depression symptoms one or more times within the year prior to the survey. These symptoms included feeling very sad or hopeless and feeling so depressed that functioning was difficult.
*Almost 15% of MU undergraduates reported that depression or anxiety had an effect on their academic performance in 2008.
* In 2008, 7% of MU undergraduates reported considering suicide at least once during the previous year.
*The risk of experiencing depression is greater for women, for people who dont have social support, and for people who have experienced traumatic events (including witnessing such events).
*Depression is a risk factor for suicide, which is the third leading cause of death in young adults.

*Changes or losses in your life can cause serious depression if the normal sadness from these events interferes with your life.
*Stress can play a role in depression.
*Symptoms of depression include a persistent sad mood, loss of pleasure in normal activities, feelings of hopelessness/ worthlessness, difficulty concentrating/ making decisions, difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much, loss of appetite or overeating, irritability, unexplained fatigue or persistent physical symptoms such as body aches/ stomach trouble, and thinking about death or suicide.
*There are physical causes of depression, so its important to be checked by a doctor.

*For assistance/ appointments on campus:
Student Health Center mental health appointments: 882-1483
MU Counseling Center appointments: 882-6601
MU Womens Center 882-6621

*For more information on depression:
www.nmha.org (Mental Health America)
www.nami.org (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
www.nimh.nih.gov (National Institute of Mental Health)
www.dbsalliance.org (Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance)
www.revolutionhealth.com/healthfair (online college mental health fair)

*Suicide Hotlines:
1-800-273-TALK (273-8255), 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)

*Depression self-screening tool: on the Student Health Centers website under the services/ mental health section, scroll down to the screening for mental health logo.

*Video Credits:
This video was created as a class project for FCM 8420 Principles of Epidemiology and Journ 7236/4236 Psychology of Advertising, Spring 2009
This video was produced by: Kyle Ali, Nancy Anderson, & Lori Ritchie (Journalism Team) and Deb Gerhart & Lorie Thibodeaux (Epidemiology Team)

Supporting information for this video was generously provided by the Student Health Center. The content of this video does not necessarily represent the official views of the University of Missouri.
Thanks to: Dr. Julie Kapp, Dr. Paul Bolls, M. Boden Lyon, and Terry Wilson for their help with this project

References:
*Accortt, E., Freeman, M., & Allen, J. (2008). Women and Major Depressive Disorder: Clinical Perspectives on Causal Pathways. Journal of Womens Health (17). Retrieved March 6, 2009 from Pub Med database.
*American College Health Association (Spring 2008). National College Health Assessment University Missouri Columbia Executive Summary. Retrieved February 5, 2009 from http://studenthealth.missouri.edu/docs/NCHA-WEB%20SPRING%202008%20UNIVERSITY%...
*American Psychiatric Association (2005). Lets Talk Facts about Depression. Retrieved February 22, 2009 from http://www.healthyminds.org/factsheets/LTF-Depression.pdf
*Garlow, D. et al. (2008). Depression, Desperation, and Suicidal Ideation in College Students: Results from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention College Screening Project at Emory University. Depression and Anxiety (25). Retrieved February 16, 2009 from Pub Med database.
*Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (2008). The NSDUH Report: Serious Psychological Distress and Receipt of Mental Health Services. Retrieved January 9, 2009 from an email link to http://oas.samhsa.gov/NSDUH.htm#NSDUHinfo
*Zivin, K., Eisenberg, D., Gollust, S., Golberstein (2009). Persistence of Mental Health Problems and Needs in a College Student Population. Journal of Affective Disorders. Retrieved February 16, 2009 from Pub Med database.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Mental Health
• Suicide