Depression in the
College Community
Counseling Center
Department of Student Affairs
Library Bldg., Room 422 • (718) 631-6370
www.qcc.cuny.edu/counseling
A Guide for Queensborough
Faculty and Staff
Counseling Center • Department of Student Affairs
Library Building, Room 422
718.631.6370
www.qcc.cuny.edu/counseling
Dr. Diane B. Call, President
222-05 56th Avenue, Bayside, NY 11364
www.qcc.cuny.edu
04/2015
526/15
Counseling Center at Queensborough
Depression in the College Community
These statements and life events are frequently
expressed and experienced among college students
Counseling Center
and have profound effects on their lives. Depression is
Library Bldg., Room 422
commonly felt by students attending college and has
Office: (718) 631-6370
www.qcc.cuny.edu/counseling
many causes. In what follows, students will be able to
find out what is meant by depression and, if they are
depressed, what to do about it.
“Someone I loved very much has died”
“I failed my test.”
“My boyfriend/girlfriend broke up with me”
“I lost my job and financial aid”
“My parents are splitting up”
“I feel lost and don’t know
what to do with my life”
“I don’t have a good relationship with
my mother/father/sister/brother”
Hours:
Mondays & Thursdays, 8:45am-6pm
Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 8:45am-7pm
Fridays, 8:45am-5pm
Note: Office hours may change during winter and
summer sessions.
Department of Student Affairs
Counseling Center at Queensborough
Depression in the College Community
After a Referral is Made, Then What Happens?
What is Depression?
Counselors are trained to assess the degree of a student’s depression and suicidal
potential. Since there are many treatment modalities to alleviate depression,
counselors may offer a range of services, including counseling at the college,
referral to an outpatient clinic, and, if need be, a referral for an evaluation. The
counseling staff recognizes that depression surrounds us and is part of our lives.
The counselor’s role is to determine the intensity of the student’s depression,
the student’s ability to cope with these troubling feelings and to make decisions
that best help the student. Together, the faculty and counseling staff can assist
students in combating this universal problem and help students realize their
fullest academic potential.
MOST PEOPLE CAN FEEL SAD from time to time depending on the stress and
tension in their lives. The loss of a loved one causes universal feelings of
sadness and grief. That reaction is normal, and with the support of friends and
family the sense of loss diminishes and the person will begin to feel less sad as
time goes by. Depression is different. People who are depressed may:
Although counselors work closely with faculty to assist students, confidentiality
laws prohibit counselors from reporting outcomes, student status or any
information pertaining to what the student shares in counseling.
• Find little pleasure in life.
• Have little interest in activities they usually enjoy such as involvement in
sports, dating and even eating.
• Not want to get out of bed and go to work or school.
• Feel anxious, sad, and may even think about suicide.
•Feel unattractive and isolate themselves.
• Have hormonal reactions associated with pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS)
disorder.
SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION may be on a continuum from mild to moderate
to severe. These symptoms may vary from person to person; however, one
important factor is the persistence of the symptoms over time. Some signs to
watch out for are:
• Feelings of guilt or remorse, particularly when losing a loved one.
•Loss of self-esteem, especially after failing a test or a course (e.g., not
getting into the nursing program or not getting into graduate school).
•Feeling empty, isolated and alone (e.g., not having friends, beginning
college and not knowing anyone).
•An inability to enjoy oneself because of being overwhelmed by college
assignments, work and family responsibilities.
•Feelings of hopelessness, wanting to give up or wanting to die.
•Not getting admitted to a four year college of choice.
•Wanting to get high or drink to forget, numb or avoid the issue. Sometimes
depression and substance abuse can be a lethal combination. People selfmedicate to feel better and may end up feeling worse.
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Counseling Center at Queensborough
Depression in the College Community
HOW Can Faculty Recognize DepressED Students?
Be aware of the following:
•A dramatic drop in academic performance, such as not participating in
class, frequent absences or sitting alone.
•Themes of wanting to end one’s life in poetry, art works or essays. (These
warning signs may arise in Academic Literacy classes, English classes and
Art classes.)
•Students falling asleep in class or being irritable and short-tempered.
•Students reporting lack of energy, loss of appetite, weight loss or weight
gain. (These warning signs may surface in health education and/or
physical education classes.)
•Students staying after class and wanting to talk to you, their professor,
about something “personal”. Remember, faculty is the front line. A lonely
depressed student may reach out and seek your advice.
•Students looking depressed and miserable after class. Approach the
student to ask if he or she would like to “chat” with you. Be approachable
and reach out.
•Students from foreign countries. These students may feel particularly
“homesick”, alienated and suffer from culture shock. In classroom
discussions, engage the international student who may feel reluctant to
participate.
•In classroom discussions, if a student is consistently negative about
himself/herself or negative about the future, it may be a sign of depression.
•Any student who has been absent for a length of time. Upon his or her
return to class, engage the student to learn the reason for the absences.
Sometimes prolonged absence is due to the illness or loss of a loved one,
and the student may feel helpless coming to terms with such an aversive
situation in life.
What should Faculty do if they recognize a student
is depressed or possibly suicidal?
•In helping any depressed or suicidal student, you can approach them if
possible, but only if you feel the student is comfortable with your doing so.
Remember your goal is to see if you can get the student to someone who can
help ameliorate the depression or make the appropriate referral.
•You should speak to your departmental chairperson, particularly if you feel the
student may be suicidal.
•Contact the Counseling Center at 718-631-6370. One of the members of the
counseling staff will be available to assist you in working with the student.
Counselors are here to help in crisis intervention and referrals. The counseling
staff wants to facilitate the student’s availability to the most immediate and
appropriate professional help.
•If the Counseling Center is closed and a student is in crisis, contact Public
Safety at 718-631-6320.
Other Helpful Resources:
Lifenet
(800) LIFENET or (800) 543-3638
Suicide Prevention Hotline
(800) 273-8255
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