Robin William’s passing came as a shock to the world, especially when it was confirmed that the cause of death was a suicide. The beloved and well-known comedian had been struggling from depression for some time before taking his own life. The following week brought an outburst of depression awareness all over the social media world, urging people to acknowledge mental illness as a serious issue.
A haunting question lingered in the air: if Williams, a man of charm and humor, could succumb to his depression, how many others out there were unknowingly struggling behind their smiles?
The mental health field has been a taboo subject for quite some time. Although the psychiatric field is constantly growing and revising, the general outlook on mental illness is still very skeptical. People who suffer from depression are often viewed as weak and pitiful, which may prevent them from speaking out and receiving proper treatment. Often, in some skeptical minds, depression is not even considered a real illness. Williams’ death contributed to breaking some of the stigma that lingers with the illness and brought to light that, without support and proper treatment, one with mental illness can go as far as taking his own life.
Spreading awareness and giving the recognition these illnesses deserve can help save thousands of lives. Yes, it can be embarrassing for someone to admit they are struggling and need help; the stigmas associated don’t help with that. It is perfectly normal, however, especially as a college student, to be having issues that can affect one’s day-to-day functioning. College is a big adjustment, especially to those who are new to campus.
For many undergraduate and graduate students, the counseling center at SCW proves to be a huge resource. The center can help provide aid for a variety of concerns that may arise during college years, including depression and anxiety. A student does not have to deal with these kinds of issues alone, especially when a chocolate binge and rom-com doesn’t seem to do the trick. The counseling center has an extremely friendly and educated staff, not to mention in a convenient location (located in 205 Lexington, floor 4).
The counseling center provides both individual therapy and medication, along with group therapy sessions, crisis management, and referrals to off-campus resources if necessary. The center can also offer opportunities for students to simply talk things out with professionals, which can be extremely helpful in learning how to work through problems one step at a time to avoid getting overwhelmed. Although some of the students are hesitant about their feelings towards the counseling center, others found it to be “very beneficial” and a “useful resource”. One girl said she “felt like going once a week was very healthy and gave [her] the freedom to let out things that [she] held in to a very objective outsider”.
There are about 350 million people worldwide suffering from depression alone. Imagine how many others are suffering with anxiety, relationship problems, mood disorders, etc. Even with the stigmas, today’s society has the tools to help with these problems. Taking advantage of the counseling center can be the first step toward dealing with significant personal struggles.