Tell someone
The recent death of senior Josh Overton is a tragic example of how life-threatening depression can be if it goes untreated.
But there are plenty of avenues of help for students and faculty who suffer from this disease.
CMU's Counseling Center, located at 102 Foust Hall, offers help in a number of areas, including depression and loneliness. Appointments may be made by calling 774-3381, or by stopping by the Counseling Center between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Students and faculty also can call Listening Ear, a 24-hour crisis and referral line at 772-2918, and the Central Michigan Community Hospital at 772-6700, to seek help.
Employees at these places are more than willing to help people who suffer from a depression-related illness.
But they can't do anything if affected students remain silent.
"Don't keep depression to yourself," said Lisa Donahue-Smith, a Counseling Center employee, in a Monday story in Central Michigan Life. "Keeping it a secret only means you suffer in silence without getting the help you need."
If you keep your problems bottled inside, they could lead to many social and emotional problems, and, in the worst of cases, death.
Yes, it is possible for depression to go away without help. But that isn't a risk affected students should take.
"Depression sometimes goes away on its own," Donahue-Smith said in Monday's story. "But it can also get worse if left untreated and can lead to serious consequences for students, including flunking out of school and suicide."
People afflicted with Seasonal Affective Disorder could be at the utmost risk because of the recent cold temperatures. If you're feeling extra depressed because it's cold and the sun isn't shining, you should seek help right away from any of the aforementioned counseling services.
Revealing to someone you have never met that you suffer from depression can be very hard. But getting past that hurdle could be half the battle.
And letting these people help could be the first step to feeling better and increasing your self-esteem.
If you feel lonely all the time or you feel like no one understands your problems, please get help before it's too late.
It's only a phone call away.
