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Most people will experience depression, or extreme sadness, at some point in their life. It’s the pain you feel when you lose a loved one. It’s the emptiness that lingers while going through a difficult breakup. It’s the lack of fulfillment during a period of unemployment. Depression is a natural emotional reaction to traumatic events or major changes in a person’s life.

Although, for  adults, depression is not due to any negative occurrence or life change. Rather, it’s a chronic and/or cyclical state they experience regularly. In other words, it is a clinical and medical condition. And it is more severe than situational depression and can include intense symptoms such as suicidal ideation.

While , the condition, and depression, the feeling, (capitalization used for distinction) can appear quite similar, there is one very important difference: Those with Depression often don’t have a “reason” for why they’re depressed—they just are.

While it is possible that a person with Depression can be triggered into a depressive episode by an external stressor, their symptoms won’t go away once the stressor is removed. For a person with depression, they will likely only have symptoms until they cope with whatever triggered the symptoms.

Those with Depression are frequently stigmatized and misunderstood due to this distinction. People will show endless compassion to a person experiencing depression due to the passing of a loved one, but not to a person who just can’t help but feel sad all the time.

This misunderstanding occurs because people often don’t know how to respond to someone if they don’t know the reason for their pain. For a person with depression, you can reassure them that the pain will fade and time will heal. But saying that to a person with Depression would be both inaccurate and unhelpful.

If you’ve ever experienced depression, think back to that time and recall how difficult it was. Now, imagine what living like that every day must feel like. Imagine what it must feel like to not have the motivation to leave your bed for months at time or for it to be an accomplishment to move from your bed to your couch. Imagine what it’s like to feel as if you’re drowning in darkness.

Keep this in mind when you’re interacting with a person experiencing Depression: Don’t judge or stigmatize them for not knowing the root of their symptoms. Telling someone they “don’t have a reason to be depressed” is the same as telling a person with asthma: “The air seems fine to me.”

You may not fully understand what is causing someone to miss days of work, skip showers or cancel plans. But when it comes to Depression, “Why do you feel this way?” is not the important question. The important question is: “What can I do to ?”

Laura Greenstein is communications manager at NAMI.

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The group will meet Thursdays from 12:15pm to 1:00 p.m. in the Donaghey Student Center, Room 201T.

If you have any questions or concerns,

please contact the group facilitator, Ashley Vickers, at

alvickers@ualr.edu

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The University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s counseling services recently announced four new groups meant to help students cope with anxiety and stress during the Fall semester. The new groups, open to all students, include a mindfulness group, meditation moment, yoga class, and LGBTQ + support group.

Cai Carvalhaes, a therapist at the counseling center and a certified yoga instructor, was really excited about the new opportunities for students. She said the idea for this grew as she used mindfulness while working with students in the counseling center.

Each group is meant to decrease anxiety, stress, and depression in their own ways. Carvalhaes explained mindfulness as a space to change and meditation as more of a technique used to start the day off right.

Twelve students showed up for the first yoga class, and after the second class, the responses from the students were extremely positive.

“Relaxation is a foreign term to me, so this has helped me relax my body, and I’ve been saying all week that I cannot wait for this class to de-stress,” Baileigh Bell, a student at ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ at LR, said.

Ashley Vickers, an intern at the counseling center, said she attends all of Carvalhaes’ classes and can see a positive impact from attending.

“I’ve been able to de-stress easier and I’ve learned how to manage my thoughts more,” Vickers said. “I’ve really noticed a change in my overall self and mood.”

Carvalhaes understands that some students might be unsure about attending some of the groups, but she strongly believes that everyone should try it.

“It’s not going to hurt, and the experience is going to provide them the information that they probably need because mindfulness is more about doing than learning,” Carvalhaes said. “It works for everybody in different ways.”

Students should feel free to email Carvalhaes about any of the classes if interested and have questions. The counseling center also has their own website and Facebook page to connect with students. mmcarvalhaes@ualr.edu

Thank you to the Angle for allowing us to reprint this article!

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This year, over 1,100 college students will die by suicide. There is hope. Suicide IS preventable. In conjunction with the Office of the Dean of Students and the Department of Public Safety, Counseling Services is hosting several events to promote suicide prevention and awareness. We hope you will join us for one or more of the following events!

Selfies Stations for Suicide Awareness

10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday, September 19

Donaghey Student Center Foyer  *  University Commons Lawn  *  Lawn between Fine Arts & ETAS buildings

Stop by one of our three “Selfie Stations” and share your picture with hashtags #ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝LR Counseling Services, #OK2Talk, #StopSuicide. We’ll take your photo and post it to our Facebook page ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock Counseling Services. Tag yourself and get your friends to “like” and “share” your selfie! Selfies that get the most “likes,” “shares,” or is voted “Best Spirit” by Counseling Services will WIN! Great prizes will be awarded in October! Don’t forget to pick up your free t-shirt!

Speak Up – Speak Out!

6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday, September 19

EIT Auditorium

The compelling story of the illicit prescription drug use and illegal substance abuse on campuses across America. Featured guests include the U.S. Drug Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Arkansas State Drug Director, and the Arkansas State Board Pharmacy. Hosted by the William Christian Doerhoff Memorial Foundation WillsWork.org.

Brain Games with Mindfulness on the Mall

10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, September 27

Donaghey Student Center Foyer

Challenge your concepts of reality and perception! What you perceive to be true and what is actually true are not always the same leading to anxiety and depression. Try out Mind Ball, on loan from the generous folks at the Museum of Discovery. Visit with our special guest and sleight of hand magician Aaron Acosta. Feed your brain at our Trail Mix Bar. Practice a little mindfulness and yoga in the Mall Area.

Depression Screening

10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday, October 3

Donaghey Student Center Foyer

Counseling Services, in collaboration with the ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock Student Social Work Organization and Student Nurse Association as well as community partners, Arkansas Employee Assistance Program and NAMI Arkansas will provide a depression screening for the ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock Community. This annual event provides information about mental health resources available to faculty, staff and students, and promotes help seeking behavior.

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