For many of us, the winter months are a time for celebration, holidays and time spent with loved ones. College students are often excited to return home for winter break to decompress after a trying semester and reconnect with their families and hometown friends. However, for some students, the winter months can evoke feelings of deep sadness that are hard to escape.

Here are some signs to look for if you believe your student might be struggling with depression:

• Negative emotions. People with depression may exhibit increased feelings of anger, frustration, stress, sadness or emptiness. This may lead to decreased engagement in conversation, reduced interest in activities, outbursts and shorter tempers.
• Changes to eating and sleeping patterns. A person with depression may skip meals, overeat or use food to cope with negative feelings. It is not uncommon for depression to disrupt sleep cycles, leading to insomnia or oversleeping (beyond “sleeping in” a few extra hours when on break).
• Fatigue. People with depression may lack the energy and motivation needed to complete daily tasks and activities.
• Withdrawal. Students with depression may express disinterest in previously enjoyed hobbies or activities and may also avoid social situations. This can further exacerbate the feelings of loneliness and isolation that often accompany depression.
• Guilt, worthlessness, hopelessness. People with depression often perceive themselves as burdensome to others and not worthy of getting help. They may feel as though there is no foreseeable end to how they are feeling.
• Inexplicable pain. Depression can cause unexplainable physical pain, chronic illness and discomfort. 

Depression is very treatable, and help is available! Encourage your student to connect with the Student Wellness Center, or another provider, to get support from a mental health professional.

DipCares

Many students face challenges during college that can interfere with their success. DipCares is a wellness program at F&M that directs students toward available supportive resources, empowers them to seek them out and ask for help when needed, and ensures faculty and staff know how to help if students are distressed.

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