Depression in College Students

            In the article “Depression in College Students” Alissa Steiner explores depression and how there has been an increase of depression within college students. In her article Alissa Steiner argues that, “Depression and suicide are major issues not only here in Davis but also at college campuses nationwide.” For Steiner this significant because she attended UC Davis a university, which reported the suicide of eleven students in a six year, span between 2000 and 2006. Steiner supports her argument using statistical evidence, and real-life accounts.

            In her article Steiner recalls the story Nima Shaterian a former UC Davis student who committed suicide during his freshmen year. In her article Steiner describes Shaterian as an remarkable young man who, “starred in plays, wrote volumes of poetry, and played the piano. I knew Nima—he was a year behind me in school and a friend of my sister. I heard him speak at his graduation, awing the audience with his wisdom and his wit.” It is in this description that Steiner hits most to home because the way she paints Nima Shaterian is as if the reader knew him. Although we all probably know a Nima ourselves perhaps that’s what makes Steiner’s example so poignant the fact that we all know someone that could be going through the same thing Nima was without even realizing it.

            The argument Alissa Steiner makes is very valid and is perhaps something we overlook on a daily measure. For instance, she argues that its important that people know that there are resources available to help them, like the Center for Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) that is available at UC Davis.  However, she also mentions that these programs are far from perfect because it is difficult for students to meet with counselor regularly causing appointments to be far apart from each other and preventing students from getting the help they need.  That is not to say Steiner is blaming this type of programs because she tactually believes that these programs would function better if they received the appropriate funding.

            I agree with Alissa Steiner that people need to be made more aware of depression and the many symptoms that come with it. However I believe her article would have benefitted from her explaining the different symptoms and signs of depression rather than just going on about the science of depression.