{"id":163,"date":"2018-01-19T19:23:23","date_gmt":"2018-01-19T19:23:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-mcc-cos2master\/chapter\/mental-health\/"},"modified":"2023-08-01T21:23:48","modified_gmt":"2023-08-01T21:23:48","slug":"mental-health","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-wcc-collegesuccess3\/chapter\/mental-health\/","title":{"raw":"Mental Health","rendered":"Mental Health"},"content":{"raw":"<div style=\"text-align: center;\">\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=EPlO_dXoSoo\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"textbox learning-objectives\">\r\n<h3>What should you know about Mental Health as a COllege Student?<\/h3>\r\nMore than 75 percent of all mental health conditions begin before the age of 24, <a href=\"https:\/\/nami.org\/collegeguide\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness<\/a>, which is why college is such a critical time. Using the National Alliance on Mental Health Illness website as guide, develop a list of five things college students should know about mental illness.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images-archive-read-only\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1110\/2016\/03\/01222046\/296276592_b5a8386c5f_b.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-636\"><img class=\"wp-image-636 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2932\/2018\/01\/19192318\/296276592_b5a8386c5f_b-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Picture of a young, depressed-looking man with his head and arm resting on a table.\" width=\"447\" height=\"336\" \/><\/a>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em><strong>It is only in sorrow bad weather masters us; in joy we face the storm and defy it. \u2014Amelia Barr, British\u00a0author<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/div><\/blockquote>\r\n<h2>Mental<strong> Health Basics<\/strong><\/h2>\r\nKnowing how to take care of your mental health when you\u2019re in college is just as important as maintaining your physical health. In fact, there\u2019s a strong link between the two: doctors are finding that positive mental health can actually improve your physical health.\r\n\r\n<em>Mental health<\/em> can be defined as \u201ca state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.\u201d[footnote]\"Mental Health Basics.\" <i>Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/i>. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013. Web. 22 Apr. 2016.[\/footnote] Having good mental health doesn\u2019t necessarily mean being\u00a0happy or successful all the time. Most people feel depressed, lonely, or anxious now and then, but those with good mental health can take these feelings in stride and overcome them. When such feelings or moods persist and interfere with a person\u2019s ability to function normally, though, it may be a sign of a more serious mental health problem and time to seek help.\r\n\r\nThe term <em>mental illness<\/em> refers to mental disorders or health conditions characterized by \u201calterations in thinking, mood, or behavior (or some combination thereof) associated with distress and\/or impaired functioning.\u201d[footnote]\"Mental Health Basics.\" <i>Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/i>. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013. Web. 22 Apr. 2016.[\/footnote] Depression is the most common type of mental illness, and it affects more than 26 percent of the U.S. adult population.\u00a0It has been estimated that by the year 2020, depression will be the second leading cause of disability throughout the world, trailing only ischemic heart disease.\r\n\r\nEvidence has shown that mental disorders, especially depressive disorders, are strongly linked\u00a0to the occurrence of many chronic diseases, including diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, asthma, and obesity. It has also been linked to many risk behaviors for chronic disease, such as physical inactivity, smoking, excessive drinking, and insufficient sleep. In other words, if your mental health is poor, you may be at greater risk for disease and poor physical health.\r\n<h2>Mental<strong> Health Indicators<\/strong><\/h2>\r\nIn the public health arena, more emphasis and resources have been devoted to screening, diagnosis, and treatment of mental illness than to maintaining mental health. Little has been done to protect the mental health of those who are free\u00a0from mental illness.\r\n\r\nThere are some known indicators of mental health, including the following:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Emotional well-being: life satisfaction, happiness, cheerfulness, peacefulness<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Psychological well-being: self-acceptance, personal growth including openness to new experiences, optimism, hopefulness, purpose in life, control of one\u2019s environment, spirituality, self-direction, and positive relationships<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Social well-being:\u00a0social acceptance, belief in the potential of people and society as a whole, personal self-worth and usefulness to society, and a sense of community<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nThe former surgeon general suggests\u00a0that there are social determinants of mental health\u2014just as there are social determinants of general health\u2014that need to be in place to support mental health. These include adequate housing, safe neighborhoods, equitable jobs and wages, quality education, and equity in access to quality health care.\r\n\r\nThere are also some common-sense strategies that you can adopt to support and improve your emotional,\u00a0psychological, and social\u00a0health. Not surprisingly, they are very similar to strategies that help us cope with stress:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Eat a balanced diet<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Get enough sleep<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Get regular physical activity<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Stay socially connected with friends and family<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Make smart choices about alcohol and drugs<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Get help if you are anxious\u00a0or depressed<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>Depression<\/h2>\r\nDepression is a common but serious mood disorder that\u2019s more than just a feeling of \u201cbeing down in the dumps\u201d or \u201cblue\u201d for a few days. It causes severe symptoms that affect how you feel, think, and handle daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working. To be diagnosed with depression, the symptoms must be present for at least two weeks.\r\n\r\nIf you have been experiencing some of the following signs and symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks, you may be suffering from depression:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Persistent sad, anxious, or empty mood<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Irritability<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Decreased energy or fatigue<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Moving or talking more slowly<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Feeling restless or having trouble sitting still<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Difficulty sleeping, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Appetite and\/or weight changes<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems without a clear physical cause and\/or that do not ease even with treatment<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nDepression is one of the most common mental disorders in the United States. Current research suggests that depression is caused by a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors. It usually starts between the ages of fifteen and thirty and is much more common in women. Women can also get postpartum depression after the birth of a baby. Some people get seasonal affective disorder in the winter, when there is less natural sunlight. Depression is also one part of bipolar disorder.\r\n\r\nDepression, even the most severe cases, can be treated. The earlier that treatment can begin, the more effective it is. Depression is usually treated with medications, psychotherapy, or a combination of the two.\r\n\r\nThere are days that you will feel down, especially when the demands of college get to you. These feelings are normal and will go away. If you are feeling low, try to take a break from the pressures of college and do something you enjoy. Spend time with friends, exercise, read a good book, listen to music, watch a movie, call a friend, talk to your family, or do anything else that makes you feel good. If you feel depressed for two weeks, or the feeling keeps coming back, you should talk to a counselor in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sunywcc.edu\/student-services\/mental-health-services\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mental Health Counseling Center<\/a>. They see lots of students who are anxious, stressed, or depressed at college.\r\n<h2>Loneliness<\/h2>\r\nMost people experience occasional loneliness, and it\u2019s an especially common experience among first-time college students who find themselves in an unfamiliar environment with a completely new social scene. Loneliness isn\u2019t necessarily about being alone\u2014you can be surrounded by people and still feel alone. It\u2019s the <em>feeling<\/em> of being alone that counts, along with feeling empty, unwanted, or isolated. In the following Ted Talk, Sherrie Turkle describes how, in this age of near-constant digital\u00a0\u201cconnection,\u201d loneliness is a challenge that all of us face:\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\">\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/t7Xr3AsBEK4\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\nIf you\u2019re feeling lonely, try taking Turkle\u2019s advice and start a conversation with someone. College is a great place to meet new people and develop new and interesting relationships. Others in college are new, just like you, and will welcome the chance to connect with and get to know another classmate. Try joining a campus interest group or club, play a team sport, or ask another student if they\u2019d like to meet for coffee or to study.\r\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em><strong>Too Much Social Networking<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/h3>\r\nIt's pretty obvious that\u00a0social media is an integral part of the social landscape in college. From tweeting about a football game, to posting an album on Facebook about your spring break, to beefing up your LinkedIn profile before\u00a0a job hunt, to Instagramming pictures of parties, social networking is everywhere in college, and it's likely to stay.\r\n\r\nDespite the many benefits, as you know,\u00a0social networking can be a major distraction. If social networking is getting in the way of any part of your college success, whether its social or academic success, take a break and disconnect for a while.\r\n\r\nHere are ten reasons why you may wish to step away from social media, at least temporarily: <a href=\"https:\/\/algonquincollegesocialmedia.wordpress.com\/2015\/02\/08\/when-its-time-to-unplug-10-reasons-why-too-much-social-media-is-bad-for-you\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">When It\u2019s Time to Unplug\u201410 Reasons Why Too Much Social Media Is Bad for You.<\/a>\r\n<h2>Anxiety<strong> Disorders<\/strong><\/h2>\r\nPeople with anxiety disorders respond to certain objects or situations with fear and dread. They have physical reactions to those objects, such as a rapid heartbeat and sweating. An anxiety disorder is diagnosed if a person:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Has an inappropriate response to a situation<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Cannot control the response<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Has an altered way of life due to the anxiety<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nAnxiety disorders include, but are not limited to, the following:\r\n\r\n<strong>Panic disorder<\/strong>\u00a0is a kind of anxiety disorder that causes panic attacks. Panic attacks are sudden feelings of terror for no reason. You may also feel physical symptoms, such as\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Fast heartbeat<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Chest pain<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Breathing difficulty<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Dizziness<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nPanic attacks can happen anytime, anywhere and without warning. Some people live in fear of another attack and may avoid places where they had an attack. Fear takes over their lives and they cannot leave their homes.\r\n\r\nPanic disorder is more common in women than men. It usually starts when people are young adults. Sometimes it starts when a person is under a lot of stress. Most people get better with treatment, and therapy can show you how to recognize and change your thinking patterns before they lead to panic. Medicines can also help.\r\n\r\n<strong>Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)<\/strong>\u00a0is a real illness. You can get PTSD after living through or witnessing\u00a0a traumatic event like war, a hurricane, rape, physical abuse, or a bad accident. PTSD makes you feel stressed and afraid after the danger is over. It affects your life and the people around you. PTSD can cause problems like\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Flashbacks or feeling like the event is happening again<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Trouble sleeping or nightmares<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Feeling alone<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Angry outbursts<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Feeling worried, guilty, or sad<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nPTSD starts at different times for different people. Signs of PTSD may start soon after a frightening event and then continue. Other people develop new or more severe signs months or even years later. PTSD can happen to anyone, even children.\r\n\r\nMedicines can help you feel less afraid and tense. It might take a few weeks for them to work. Talk therapy with a specially trained doctor or counselor also helps many people with PTSD.\r\n<h2>Suicidal<strong> Behavior<\/strong><\/h2>\r\nSuicide causes immeasurable pain, suffering, and loss to individuals, families, and communities nationwide. On average, 112 Americans die by suicide each day. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15 to 24-year-olds, and more than 9.4 million adults in the United States have had serious thoughts of suicide within the past twelve months. Suicide is preventable, so it's important to know what to do.\r\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em><strong>Warning Signs of Suicide<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/h3>\r\nIf someone you know is showing one or more of the following behaviors, he or she may be thinking about suicide. Don\u2019t ignore these warning signs. Get help immediately.\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Talking about wanting to die or to kill oneself<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Looking for a way to kill oneself<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Talking about being a burden to others<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Sleeping too little or too much<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Withdrawing or feeling isolated<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Displaying extreme mood swings<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<div class=\"textbox exercises\">\r\n<h3>Mental Health EMERGENCY<\/h3>\r\n<div id=\"content-block-1\">\r\n<div id=\"c35295\" class=\"csc-default\">\r\n<div class=\"csc-header csc-header-n1\">\r\n\r\nIf you or someone you know needs help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1.800.273.TALK (8255). Trained crisis workers are available to talk 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.\r\n\r\nIf you think someone is in immediate danger, do not leave him or her alone. Stay there and call 911.\r\n<p class=\"csc-firstHeader\"><strong>ON THE VALHALLA CAMPUS, CONTACT:<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Personal Counseling Center at (914) 606-7431<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Campus Security &amp; Safety at (914) 606-6911<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"c35298\" class=\"csc-default\">\r\n<div class=\"csc-header csc-header-n2\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"c35301\" class=\"csc-default\">\r\n<div class=\"csc-header csc-header-n3\">\r\n\r\n<strong>WITHIN THE GREATER WESTCHESTER AREA, CONTACT:<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Lifeline, 275-5151 (available 24 hours a day)\r\n(TDD 275-2700)<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Your local police department<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Your local hospital emergency room<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div class=\"textbox examples\">\r\n<h3>Reflecting on Jack's Story<\/h3>\r\nWatch the following Ted Talk, featuring college student Jack Park.\u00a0In this talk, Jack\u00a0shares his story of living with a mental disorder and revisits some of the ways he found help and hope. He makes the case for seeing\u00a0mental illness in a new light so that people can begin to address some of the issues associated with suicide, depression, and other preventable mental disorders.\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\">\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ur8TZf6HWSs\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\nWrite a short (1\u20132 pages) response paper in which you address the following questions:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>What do you think of Jack\u2019s practice\u00a0of changing his \u201cto-do\" lists into \u201cwant-to-do\" lists? What does he hope to gain from this\u00a0shift?<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Which coping mechanisms does Jack observe his fellow students using to deal with stress and mental health challenges? What does Jack think is the deeper problem?<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Why, in Jack\u2019s view, is it hard for people to get help for mental health problems in the same way they might seek help for dental problems?<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Add your own thoughts\u00a0about the obstacles you think students may\u00a0face in getting help for mental health issues.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n&nbsp;","rendered":"<div style=\"text-align: center;\">\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"oembed-1\" title=\"Department of Mental Health Counseling Services\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/EPlO_dXoSoo?feature=oembed&#38;rel=0\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"textbox learning-objectives\">\n<h3>What should you know about Mental Health as a COllege Student?<\/h3>\n<p>More than 75 percent of all mental health conditions begin before the age of 24, <a href=\"https:\/\/nami.org\/collegeguide\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness<\/a>, which is why college is such a critical time. Using the National Alliance on Mental Health Illness website as guide, develop a list of five things college students should know about mental illness.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images-archive-read-only\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1110\/2016\/03\/01222046\/296276592_b5a8386c5f_b.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-636\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-636 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2932\/2018\/01\/19192318\/296276592_b5a8386c5f_b-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Picture of a young, depressed-looking man with his head and arm resting on a table.\" width=\"447\" height=\"336\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em><strong>It is only in sorrow bad weather masters us; in joy we face the storm and defy it. \u2014Amelia Barr, British\u00a0author<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h2>Mental<strong> Health Basics<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Knowing how to take care of your mental health when you\u2019re in college is just as important as maintaining your physical health. In fact, there\u2019s a strong link between the two: doctors are finding that positive mental health can actually improve your physical health.<\/p>\n<p><em>Mental health<\/em> can be defined as \u201ca state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.\u201d<a class=\"footnote\" title=\"&quot;Mental Health Basics.&quot; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013. Web. 22 Apr. 2016.\" id=\"return-footnote-163-1\" href=\"#footnote-163-1\" aria-label=\"Footnote 1\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[1]<\/sup><\/a> Having good mental health doesn\u2019t necessarily mean being\u00a0happy or successful all the time. Most people feel depressed, lonely, or anxious now and then, but those with good mental health can take these feelings in stride and overcome them. When such feelings or moods persist and interfere with a person\u2019s ability to function normally, though, it may be a sign of a more serious mental health problem and time to seek help.<\/p>\n<p>The term <em>mental illness<\/em> refers to mental disorders or health conditions characterized by \u201calterations in thinking, mood, or behavior (or some combination thereof) associated with distress and\/or impaired functioning.\u201d<a class=\"footnote\" title=\"&quot;Mental Health Basics.&quot; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013. Web. 22 Apr. 2016.\" id=\"return-footnote-163-2\" href=\"#footnote-163-2\" aria-label=\"Footnote 2\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[2]<\/sup><\/a> Depression is the most common type of mental illness, and it affects more than 26 percent of the U.S. adult population.\u00a0It has been estimated that by the year 2020, depression will be the second leading cause of disability throughout the world, trailing only ischemic heart disease.<\/p>\n<p>Evidence has shown that mental disorders, especially depressive disorders, are strongly linked\u00a0to the occurrence of many chronic diseases, including diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, asthma, and obesity. It has also been linked to many risk behaviors for chronic disease, such as physical inactivity, smoking, excessive drinking, and insufficient sleep. In other words, if your mental health is poor, you may be at greater risk for disease and poor physical health.<\/p>\n<h2>Mental<strong> Health Indicators<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>In the public health arena, more emphasis and resources have been devoted to screening, diagnosis, and treatment of mental illness than to maintaining mental health. Little has been done to protect the mental health of those who are free\u00a0from mental illness.<\/p>\n<p>There are some known indicators of mental health, including the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Emotional well-being: life satisfaction, happiness, cheerfulness, peacefulness<\/li>\n<li>Psychological well-being: self-acceptance, personal growth including openness to new experiences, optimism, hopefulness, purpose in life, control of one\u2019s environment, spirituality, self-direction, and positive relationships<\/li>\n<li>Social well-being:\u00a0social acceptance, belief in the potential of people and society as a whole, personal self-worth and usefulness to society, and a sense of community<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The former surgeon general suggests\u00a0that there are social determinants of mental health\u2014just as there are social determinants of general health\u2014that need to be in place to support mental health. These include adequate housing, safe neighborhoods, equitable jobs and wages, quality education, and equity in access to quality health care.<\/p>\n<p>There are also some common-sense strategies that you can adopt to support and improve your emotional,\u00a0psychological, and social\u00a0health. Not surprisingly, they are very similar to strategies that help us cope with stress:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Eat a balanced diet<\/li>\n<li>Get enough sleep<\/li>\n<li>Get regular physical activity<\/li>\n<li>Stay socially connected with friends and family<\/li>\n<li>Make smart choices about alcohol and drugs<\/li>\n<li>Get help if you are anxious\u00a0or depressed<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Depression<\/h2>\n<p>Depression is a common but serious mood disorder that\u2019s more than just a feeling of \u201cbeing down in the dumps\u201d or \u201cblue\u201d for a few days. It causes severe symptoms that affect how you feel, think, and handle daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working. To be diagnosed with depression, the symptoms must be present for at least two weeks.<\/p>\n<p>If you have been experiencing some of the following signs and symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks, you may be suffering from depression:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Persistent sad, anxious, or empty mood<\/li>\n<li>Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism<\/li>\n<li>Irritability<\/li>\n<li>Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness<\/li>\n<li>Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities<\/li>\n<li>Decreased energy or fatigue<\/li>\n<li>Moving or talking more slowly<\/li>\n<li>Feeling restless or having trouble sitting still<\/li>\n<li>Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions<\/li>\n<li>Difficulty sleeping, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping<\/li>\n<li>Appetite and\/or weight changes<\/li>\n<li>Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts<\/li>\n<li>Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems without a clear physical cause and\/or that do not ease even with treatment<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Depression is one of the most common mental disorders in the United States. Current research suggests that depression is caused by a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors. It usually starts between the ages of fifteen and thirty and is much more common in women. Women can also get postpartum depression after the birth of a baby. Some people get seasonal affective disorder in the winter, when there is less natural sunlight. Depression is also one part of bipolar disorder.<\/p>\n<p>Depression, even the most severe cases, can be treated. The earlier that treatment can begin, the more effective it is. Depression is usually treated with medications, psychotherapy, or a combination of the two.<\/p>\n<p>There are days that you will feel down, especially when the demands of college get to you. These feelings are normal and will go away. If you are feeling low, try to take a break from the pressures of college and do something you enjoy. Spend time with friends, exercise, read a good book, listen to music, watch a movie, call a friend, talk to your family, or do anything else that makes you feel good. If you feel depressed for two weeks, or the feeling keeps coming back, you should talk to a counselor in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sunywcc.edu\/student-services\/mental-health-services\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mental Health Counseling Center<\/a>. They see lots of students who are anxious, stressed, or depressed at college.<\/p>\n<h2>Loneliness<\/h2>\n<p>Most people experience occasional loneliness, and it\u2019s an especially common experience among first-time college students who find themselves in an unfamiliar environment with a completely new social scene. Loneliness isn\u2019t necessarily about being alone\u2014you can be surrounded by people and still feel alone. It\u2019s the <em>feeling<\/em> of being alone that counts, along with feeling empty, unwanted, or isolated. In the following Ted Talk, Sherrie Turkle describes how, in this age of near-constant digital\u00a0\u201cconnection,\u201d loneliness is a challenge that all of us face:<\/p>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\">\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/t7Xr3AsBEK4\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>If you\u2019re feeling lonely, try taking Turkle\u2019s advice and start a conversation with someone. College is a great place to meet new people and develop new and interesting relationships. Others in college are new, just like you, and will welcome the chance to connect with and get to know another classmate. Try joining a campus interest group or club, play a team sport, or ask another student if they\u2019d like to meet for coffee or to study.<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em><strong>Too Much Social Networking<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>It&#8217;s pretty obvious that\u00a0social media is an integral part of the social landscape in college. From tweeting about a football game, to posting an album on Facebook about your spring break, to beefing up your LinkedIn profile before\u00a0a job hunt, to Instagramming pictures of parties, social networking is everywhere in college, and it&#8217;s likely to stay.<\/p>\n<p>Despite the many benefits, as you know,\u00a0social networking can be a major distraction. If social networking is getting in the way of any part of your college success, whether its social or academic success, take a break and disconnect for a while.<\/p>\n<p>Here are ten reasons why you may wish to step away from social media, at least temporarily: <a href=\"https:\/\/algonquincollegesocialmedia.wordpress.com\/2015\/02\/08\/when-its-time-to-unplug-10-reasons-why-too-much-social-media-is-bad-for-you\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">When It\u2019s Time to Unplug\u201410 Reasons Why Too Much Social Media Is Bad for You.<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Anxiety<strong> Disorders<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>People with anxiety disorders respond to certain objects or situations with fear and dread. They have physical reactions to those objects, such as a rapid heartbeat and sweating. An anxiety disorder is diagnosed if a person:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Has an inappropriate response to a situation<\/li>\n<li>Cannot control the response<\/li>\n<li>Has an altered way of life due to the anxiety<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Anxiety disorders include, but are not limited to, the following:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Panic disorder<\/strong>\u00a0is a kind of anxiety disorder that causes panic attacks. Panic attacks are sudden feelings of terror for no reason. You may also feel physical symptoms, such as<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Fast heartbeat<\/li>\n<li>Chest pain<\/li>\n<li>Breathing difficulty<\/li>\n<li>Dizziness<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Panic attacks can happen anytime, anywhere and without warning. Some people live in fear of another attack and may avoid places where they had an attack. Fear takes over their lives and they cannot leave their homes.<\/p>\n<p>Panic disorder is more common in women than men. It usually starts when people are young adults. Sometimes it starts when a person is under a lot of stress. Most people get better with treatment, and therapy can show you how to recognize and change your thinking patterns before they lead to panic. Medicines can also help.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)<\/strong>\u00a0is a real illness. You can get PTSD after living through or witnessing\u00a0a traumatic event like war, a hurricane, rape, physical abuse, or a bad accident. PTSD makes you feel stressed and afraid after the danger is over. It affects your life and the people around you. PTSD can cause problems like<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Flashbacks or feeling like the event is happening again<\/li>\n<li>Trouble sleeping or nightmares<\/li>\n<li>Feeling alone<\/li>\n<li>Angry outbursts<\/li>\n<li>Feeling worried, guilty, or sad<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>PTSD starts at different times for different people. Signs of PTSD may start soon after a frightening event and then continue. Other people develop new or more severe signs months or even years later. PTSD can happen to anyone, even children.<\/p>\n<p>Medicines can help you feel less afraid and tense. It might take a few weeks for them to work. Talk therapy with a specially trained doctor or counselor also helps many people with PTSD.<\/p>\n<h2>Suicidal<strong> Behavior<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Suicide causes immeasurable pain, suffering, and loss to individuals, families, and communities nationwide. On average, 112 Americans die by suicide each day. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15 to 24-year-olds, and more than 9.4 million adults in the United States have had serious thoughts of suicide within the past twelve months. Suicide is preventable, so it&#8217;s important to know what to do.<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em><strong>Warning Signs of Suicide<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>If someone you know is showing one or more of the following behaviors, he or she may be thinking about suicide. Don\u2019t ignore these warning signs. Get help immediately.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Talking about wanting to die or to kill oneself<\/li>\n<li>Looking for a way to kill oneself<\/li>\n<li>Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live<\/li>\n<li>Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain<\/li>\n<li>Talking about being a burden to others<\/li>\n<li>Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs<\/li>\n<li>Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly<\/li>\n<li>Sleeping too little or too much<\/li>\n<li>Withdrawing or feeling isolated<\/li>\n<li>Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge<\/li>\n<li>Displaying extreme mood swings<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"textbox exercises\">\n<h3>Mental Health EMERGENCY<\/h3>\n<div id=\"content-block-1\">\n<div id=\"c35295\" class=\"csc-default\">\n<div class=\"csc-header csc-header-n1\">\n<p>If you or someone you know needs help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1.800.273.TALK (8255). Trained crisis workers are available to talk 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.<\/p>\n<p>If you think someone is in immediate danger, do not leave him or her alone. Stay there and call 911.<\/p>\n<p class=\"csc-firstHeader\"><strong>ON THE VALHALLA CAMPUS, CONTACT:<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Personal Counseling Center at (914) 606-7431<\/li>\n<li>Campus Security &amp; Safety at (914) 606-6911<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"c35298\" class=\"csc-default\">\n<div class=\"csc-header csc-header-n2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"c35301\" class=\"csc-default\">\n<div class=\"csc-header csc-header-n3\">\n<p><strong>WITHIN THE GREATER WESTCHESTER AREA, CONTACT:<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Lifeline, 275-5151 (available 24 hours a day)<br \/>\n(TDD 275-2700)<\/li>\n<li>Your local police department<\/li>\n<li>Your local hospital emergency room<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox examples\">\n<h3>Reflecting on Jack&#8217;s Story<\/h3>\n<p>Watch the following Ted Talk, featuring college student Jack Park.\u00a0In this talk, Jack\u00a0shares his story of living with a mental disorder and revisits some of the ways he found help and hope. He makes the case for seeing\u00a0mental illness in a new light so that people can begin to address some of the issues associated with suicide, depression, and other preventable mental disorders.<\/p>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\">\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ur8TZf6HWSs\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Write a short (1\u20132 pages) response paper in which you address the following questions:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>What do you think of Jack\u2019s practice\u00a0of changing his \u201cto-do&#8221; lists into \u201cwant-to-do&#8221; lists? What does he hope to gain from this\u00a0shift?<\/li>\n<li>Which coping mechanisms does Jack observe his fellow students using to deal with stress and mental health challenges? What does Jack think is the deeper problem?<\/li>\n<li>Why, in Jack\u2019s view, is it hard for people to get help for mental health problems in the same way they might seek help for dental problems?<\/li>\n<li>Add your own thoughts\u00a0about the obstacles you think students may\u00a0face in getting help for mental health issues.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t <section class=\"citations-section\" role=\"contentinfo\">\n\t\t\t <h3>Candela Citations<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t <div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <div id=\"citation-list-163\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <div class=\"licensing\"><div class=\"license-attribution-dropdown-subheading\">CC licensed content, Original<\/div><ul class=\"citation-list\"><li>Mental Health. <strong>Provided by<\/strong>: Lumen Learning. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/\">CC BY: Attribution<\/a><\/em><\/li><\/ul><div class=\"license-attribution-dropdown-subheading\">CC licensed content, Shared previously<\/div><ul class=\"citation-list\"><li>Depression. <strong>Authored by<\/strong>: rnav. <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/rnav\/296276592\/\">https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/rnav\/296276592\/<\/a>. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-nd\/4.0\/\">CC BY-NC-ND: Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives <\/a><\/em><\/li><\/ul><div class=\"license-attribution-dropdown-subheading\">All rights reserved content<\/div><ul class=\"citation-list\"><li>Sherry Turkle: Connected, but Alone?. <strong>Provided by<\/strong>: TED. <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/t7Xr3AsBEK4?list=PLQdWctT0t4veKqW8rTIQ0XlcS_DoCLrGE\">https:\/\/youtu.be\/t7Xr3AsBEK4?list=PLQdWctT0t4veKqW8rTIQ0XlcS_DoCLrGE<\/a>. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em>All Rights Reserved<\/em>. <strong>License Terms<\/strong>: Standard YouTube license<\/li><li>Shedding Light on Student Depression | Jack Park | TEDxPenn. <strong>Provided by<\/strong>: Tedx Talks. <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/ur8TZf6HWSs\">https:\/\/youtu.be\/ur8TZf6HWSs<\/a>. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em>All Rights Reserved<\/em>. <strong>License Terms<\/strong>: Standard YouTube license<\/li><\/ul><div class=\"license-attribution-dropdown-subheading\">Public domain content<\/div><ul class=\"citation-list\"><li>Mental Health Basics. <strong>Provided by<\/strong>: CDC. <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/mentalhealth\/index.htm\">https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/mentalhealth\/index.htm<\/a>. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/about\/pdm\">Public Domain: No Known Copyright<\/a><\/em><\/li><li>College Health. <strong>Provided by<\/strong>: National Institutes of Health. <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nlm.nih.gov\/medlineplus\/collegehealth.html\">https:\/\/www.nlm.nih.gov\/medlineplus\/collegehealth.html<\/a>. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/about\/pdm\">Public Domain: No Known Copyright<\/a><\/em><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t <\/section><hr class=\"before-footnotes clear\" \/><div class=\"footnotes\"><ol><li id=\"footnote-163-1\">\"Mental Health Basics.\" <i>Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/i>. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013. Web. 22 Apr. 2016. <a href=\"#return-footnote-163-1\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 1\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-163-2\">\"Mental Health Basics.\" <i>Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/i>. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013. Web. 22 Apr. 2016. <a href=\"#return-footnote-163-2\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 2\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><\/ol><\/div>","protected":false},"author":311,"menu_order":4,"template":"","meta":{"_candela_citation":"[{\"type\":\"original\",\"description\":\"Mental Health\",\"author\":\"\",\"organization\":\"Lumen Learning\",\"url\":\"\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by\",\"license_terms\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"pd\",\"description\":\"Mental Health Basics\",\"author\":\"\",\"organization\":\"CDC\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/mentalhealth\/index.htm\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"pd\",\"license_terms\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"copyrighted_video\",\"description\":\"Sherry Turkle: Connected, but Alone?\",\"author\":\"\",\"organization\":\"TED\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/t7Xr3AsBEK4?list=PLQdWctT0t4veKqW8rTIQ0XlcS_DoCLrGE\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"arr\",\"license_terms\":\"Standard YouTube license\"},{\"type\":\"cc\",\"description\":\"Depression\",\"author\":\"rnav\",\"organization\":\"\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/rnav\/296276592\/\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by-nc-nd\",\"license_terms\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"pd\",\"description\":\"College Health\",\"author\":\"\",\"organization\":\"National Institutes of Health\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.nlm.nih.gov\/medlineplus\/collegehealth.html\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"pd\",\"license_terms\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"copyrighted_video\",\"description\":\"Shedding Light on Student Depression | Jack Park | TEDxPenn\",\"author\":\"\",\"organization\":\"Tedx Talks\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/ur8TZf6HWSs\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"arr\",\"license_terms\":\"Standard YouTube license\"}]","CANDELA_OUTCOMES_GUID":"","pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-163","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"part":146,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-wcc-collegesuccess3\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/163","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-wcc-collegesuccess3\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-wcc-collegesuccess3\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-wcc-collegesuccess3\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/311"}],"version-history":[{"count":38,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-wcc-collegesuccess3\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/163\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4818,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-wcc-collegesuccess3\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/163\/revisions\/4818"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-wcc-collegesuccess3\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/146"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-wcc-collegesuccess3\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/163\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-wcc-collegesuccess3\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=163"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-wcc-collegesuccess3\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=163"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-wcc-collegesuccess3\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=163"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-wcc-collegesuccess3\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=163"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}