One third of McMaster students battle depression, new survey released
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"About 35 per cent of McMaster students report feeling depressed, and a little over one per cent have attempted suicide, the university's mental health team nurse says."
Since it is mental health awareness week, this article from CBC is pretty fitting.
http://www.cbc.ca/hamilton/news/stor...ness-week.html
Interesting/sad how with so many people affected, stigma is still rampant, from both students and profs.
Commie42
says thanks to starfish for this post.
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10-02-2012 at 07:04 PM
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#2
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dat engineering degree
Afzal, Blitzkrieg, Demovibutler, Destiny_, enarab, jim1, KAB:), lgdynasty, nadinee, Ownaginatios, PhilM, Swampis, Tailsnake, Thinker
like this.
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10-02-2012 at 07:22 PM
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the only thing about this is that the survey in question was taken in 2009. most of the individuals from that time have now graduated and/or are going to be graduating. Although it is probably still the same it would be nice to see updated information. (i guess its just a pet peeve of mine when ppl cite outdated information) things do change so you never know, it may be better, but at the same time it may be worse.
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10-02-2012 at 07:25 PM
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Starting to see more people stressed and depressed this week. I to, am stressed for the engineering midterms that are gonna kick my @ss this month :(
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10-02-2012 at 07:34 PM
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Hth Sci 2nd year...
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10-02-2012 at 07:40 PM
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Power Abuser
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Instead of specifying specific programs, I believe all students from all programs at various points in time feel overworked, under stress and depressed to various degrees. I guess it is one of the (darker) parts of getting your respective degree, but regardless, it should serve as a great learning experience.
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10-02-2012 at 07:40 PM
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ya... ya.... :(
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10-02-2012 at 07:57 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chevalier
the only thing about this is that the survey in question was taken in 2009. most of the individuals from that time have now graduated and/or are going to be graduating. Although it is probably still the same it would be nice to see updated information. (i guess its just a pet peeve of mine when ppl cite outdated information) things do change so you never know, it may be better, but at the same time it may be worse.
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If it follows the same trends as other universities, then it's probably worse. I've read some articles over the past week or so from Ryerson as well as a few other schools saying how over the past few years, use of their schools' mental health support systems has skyrocketed. In and of itself that isn't a bad thing, it doesn't necessarily mean that more people are experiencing problems, it could just be that more people are seeking help. I do believe that the stigma is still very strong though, so I'm inclined to believe that more people are experiencing problems. Mental health disorders are considered a disability under the Ontario Human Rights Code, and yet profs are so much less willing to offer accommodations to these students than they would if, say, I had a broken dominant arm.
Edit: Found this article that is somewhat related and a very good read.
Last edited by starfish : 10-02-2012 at 08:08 PM.
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10-02-2012 at 08:28 PM
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Hello, let me introduce you to someone named Jesus.
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10-02-2012
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PhilM
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This message has been removed by a moderator. .
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10-02-2012 at 09:34 PM
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Mr.Spock is not dazzled.
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Meh.
"Feeling depressed" and having the actual mental illness "Depression" are two totally different things. Not that students don't have to deal with depression, I'm sure many do, but I seriously doubt its 35% (probably closer to 10 - 25%, if I remember my psych correctly).
Just a bother of mine when poor wording (on the surveyor's part) is used to inflate a number to make it more dramatic. :/
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10-02-2012 at 10:00 PM
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i want to kill myself
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10-02-2012 at 10:47 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Zebedee
Hth Sci 2nd year...
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dont u have a yoga class in 2nd year |
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10-02-2012 at 10:57 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by britb
Meh.
"Feeling depressed" and having the actual mental illness "Depression" are two totally different things. Not that students don't have to deal with depression, I'm sure many do, but I seriously doubt its 35% (probably closer to 10 - 25%, if I remember my psych correctly).
Just a bother of mine when poor wording (on the surveyor's part) is used to inflate a number to make it more dramatic. :/
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Ya I feel like a lot of cases in this survey people equated "feeling depressed" with "feeling sad or stressed". Just masks the real problem many face unfortunately. |
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10-03-2012 at 12:26 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by britb
Meh.
"Feeling depressed" and having the actual mental illness "Depression" are two totally different things. Not that students don't have to deal with depression, I'm sure many do, but I seriously doubt its 35% (probably closer to 10 - 25%, if I remember my psych correctly).
Just a bother of mine when poor wording (on the surveyor's part) is used to inflate a number to make it more dramatic. :/
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I'm sure they just mean "depression" as a mood and not actual clinical depression. But surveys should really distinguish between these things because being depressed is nothing compared to clinical depression. University is important for the majority of students and it's not an easy thing to accomplish. Life is hard and can often lead to times where one can feel "hopeless" when they encounter a large obstacle that feels impossible to overcome (Like a really hard exam) and as a result they may feel despair. I personally think it's a legitimate reaction. But if people fall into clinical depression then it can be very serious. I just hope McMaster's Health and Wellness Centre is screening students properly.
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Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University Third Year - Doctor of Optometry
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