propagation of the illness
Why does the illness still exist if it is treatable? Why are there still so many students who are suffering from depression, and why don't they seek treatment?
Part of this, as we've discussed, is the stigma that exists surrounding mental illness throughout the world. Illness is viewed as a weakness, and if you are struggling, you may think that you can fight it and combat it if you are strong enough. But this only results in further depression when those who are depressed can't find the energy to be motivated, to study, to talk to their friends about the illness, or to hang out with their friends or have enjoyment at all. I argue that seeking treatment and finding treatment is a strength. Being able to realize that you are struggling and asking for help is a huge strength. Just as you would find that asking for a tutor when you're struggling with a class is helpful and allows you to succeed is a mark of strength, so is finding treatment for depression. Asking for help is often hard for very many people, even for those who aren't depressed; therefore, this propagates the stigma as well.
Part of the reason may also be that we have inadequate forms of treatment for students that are suffering. Why would you want to seek treatment if you don't think that it's going to be helpful? This is the main purpose of my study and to find out whether Emory students are being adequately supported by CAPS and the resources it provides.
One final reason that the illness may still exist ever so prevalently is due to the high stressors that are present in our society, especially in college. Students are often overwhelmed with the amount of work they have to do, the extracurriculars they are involved in, the future that they have to prepare for, family problems, friend problems... the list goes on. All of this is incredibly stressful for an individual, and it's often hard for students to keep their heads above water. If stress is constantly weighing them down, and they are unable to combat it adequately, they could become depressed. Antidepressants are one of the forms of treatment that students can use to combat the illness, which is a resource provided by psychiatrists.
Part of this, as we've discussed, is the stigma that exists surrounding mental illness throughout the world. Illness is viewed as a weakness, and if you are struggling, you may think that you can fight it and combat it if you are strong enough. But this only results in further depression when those who are depressed can't find the energy to be motivated, to study, to talk to their friends about the illness, or to hang out with their friends or have enjoyment at all. I argue that seeking treatment and finding treatment is a strength. Being able to realize that you are struggling and asking for help is a huge strength. Just as you would find that asking for a tutor when you're struggling with a class is helpful and allows you to succeed is a mark of strength, so is finding treatment for depression. Asking for help is often hard for very many people, even for those who aren't depressed; therefore, this propagates the stigma as well.
Part of the reason may also be that we have inadequate forms of treatment for students that are suffering. Why would you want to seek treatment if you don't think that it's going to be helpful? This is the main purpose of my study and to find out whether Emory students are being adequately supported by CAPS and the resources it provides.
One final reason that the illness may still exist ever so prevalently is due to the high stressors that are present in our society, especially in college. Students are often overwhelmed with the amount of work they have to do, the extracurriculars they are involved in, the future that they have to prepare for, family problems, friend problems... the list goes on. All of this is incredibly stressful for an individual, and it's often hard for students to keep their heads above water. If stress is constantly weighing them down, and they are unable to combat it adequately, they could become depressed. Antidepressants are one of the forms of treatment that students can use to combat the illness, which is a resource provided by psychiatrists.