by Christie Chisholm
Daily Lobo
Depression and bipolar disorder are daunting issues, so Agora Crisis Center is trying to lighten the mood.
Today in the SUB, Agora is cosponsoring a National Depression Screening and Bipolar Awareness Day for students from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Acoma Room. The event includes a free self-screening process for students feeling off their mark or maybe just a little stressed out.
Medical professionals from the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance will be on hand, along with Agora volunteers to provide support and resources for students.
Alliance volunteers are professionals who have been diagnosed with a mood disorder and are familiar with the strains disorders can put on students.
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Although one of the primary purposes of the screening is to provide assistance to students who may be suffering from a mood disorder, volunteers will also make an effort to help students who may be feeling average burdens of being in college.
Senior Nichole Benavidez said stress is inherent in college life.
"There are so many things," Benavidez said. "It is definitely more stressful than high school. The amount of reading that we have to do is a lot. They try to prepare you in high school, but it's nothing compared to what you experience here."
Relationships and the amount of reading for classes are common sources of stress at the University, said Molly Brack, director of Agora.
"The majority of our calls that come in are regarding everyday stress," Brack said. "People can call Agora about other issues - they can call and talk about anything they want to talk about, whether they're lonely, stressed or sad."
Stress can also be a factor in depression, and one can lead to the other.
The National Institute of Mental Health states more than 18.8 million adults in America suffer from depression every year, accounting for 9.5 percent of the total population.
Counseling and Therapy Services, located in the Student Health Center, regularly treats students experiencing depression, said Carol Wagner-Adams, manager.
She said depression is an important issue for students to address, because it can cause cognitive limitations.
She said it can affect attention, memory, concentration, problem solving and decision making.
"If a person is moderately to severely depressed and they're not getting any treatment, it can have a real negative impact on their ability to carry out academic tasks that they're perfectly capable of carrying out, but not when they're in the throes of a major depressive episode," Wagner-Adams said.
Students interested in seeking support for stress or other life issues can call Agora until midnight every day at 277-3013.
Counseling and Therapy Services welcomes emergency and crisis walk-ins during business hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. They can be reached at 277-4537.
