Depression an issue for students, Kintigh says
Communication the key to killing the blues

By Chrissy Braden
Staff Reporter

Everyone suffers from an occasional case of the blues, but depression is a severe case of the blues that people just can’t shake, and it can need attention, said Monica Kintigh, a staff psychologist from Mental Health Services.

According to the Satellite Health Channel’s Web site (www.depression.com), depression affects more than 17 million Americans each year. The Web site reported that depression is a serious problem in any age group, but especially for those in their teens and early 20s.

Kintigh said the Mental Health Center has about 5,500 client contact hours a semester and sees between 25 to 50 people suffering from depression a day. She said she evaluates and counsels students with all kinds of depression but doesn’t know how many students are really affected by depression.

“I think TCU is similar to every place else,” she said. “(Depression) is not higher or lower here. But it’s a serious concern that we all must be aware of.”

Students who go to the Mental Health Center must first fill out paper work, and then they meet with a counselor who tests for signs of depression, Kintigh said. Depending on the severity, students may be referred to a psychiatrist who can prescribe medication to assist with counseling for treating depression.

The Health Channel’s Web site reported the physical basis of depression involves neurotransmitters in the brain, which carry messages from one nerve cell to the other.

According to the Web site, most antidepressants work with neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, in the brain. They increase the neurotransmitter level, which in turn elevates one’s mood.

Over-the-counter herbs or nutritional supplements, like St. John’s Wort, also work with neurotransmitters to elevate one’s mood, the Web site reported.

Kintigh said medication could help depression but talking through feelings was the key to overcoming depression.

“Our theory is talk through things people are feeling and learn how to take negative thoughts and replace them with positive thoughts,” she said.

Kintigh said alcohol can also be a cause of depression.

“Alcohol is a depressant,” she said. “Many people try to self-medicate themselves with alcohol, but when the initial effects wear off, they can sink into a deeper depression.”

Sparkle Greenhaw, program specialist from the Alcohol and Drug Education Center, said that for depressed students, drinking can take an emotional and a physical toll.

“Someone on medication shouldn’t consume alcohol,” Greenhaw said. “Alcohol and antidepressants don’t mix. The two counter-act each other.”

Kintigh said the focus of the Mental Health Center is on short-term care. She said licensing laws don’t allow the Mental Health Center to track students and monitor any progress if they don’t return to the center.

“We try to follow-up with a phone call or letter letting them know we’re concerned and they can contact us if they need anything, but that’s about all that we can do,” Kintigh said.

She said each case of depression is treated individually, and TCU contacts outside help in extreme cases.

Erica Bell, a sophomore nutrition and Spanish major, said most people are embarrassed or scared to get help if they are depressed.

“If people are depressed, they usually try to hide it,” Bell said.

Bell said she thought TCU was helpful in situations where a student is depressed. She said she has dealt with friends who have suffered from depression.

Kintigh said students with friends suffering from depression should listen to them and help them find help.

“The most important thing is to have someone to listen to you if you’re depressed,” Kintigh said. “Often people isolate themselves, so try to get them to talk, and be an active listener. They may have to talk to four or five people before they get professional help.”

Chrissy Braden
l.c.braden@student.tcu.edu