Spring Break
Health Center gears up to fight depression
Hirdesh Matta
Issue date: 11/15/07 Section: News
Two years ago, A.J. Arrese was a freshman at Centenary College in New Jersey struggling with an emotional crisis.
The depression he had struggled with since youth was pushed further during his first semester when he and his girlfriend broke up.
One day after classes, he decided he had no other options and he went to his family's garage to take his own life. His suicide attempt was averted by a concerned friend who told his parents and the police. Arrese entered therapy, and today, he is working toward a criminology degree here.
Yesterday, Arrese shared his story as a part of the presentation announcing the University Health Center's Suicide Awareness Health Education and Training project. The conference included panel speakers discussing a wide array of topics, including risk factors for suicide and how others can help those with depression.
The launch of the program comes in the wake of two student deaths on the campus. Freshman Lance Healy, 19, was found dead in his Centreville apartment earlier this month after committing suicide. Another student was found dead in University Courtyards, though police have not confirmed the cause of death.
"I wish they had waited until this conference," Arrese said. "Maybe if they waited, they would have changed their minds."
Nevertheless, Arrese said he hopes his story serves as a cautionary tale.
Suicide is one of the leading cause of death among college students. The American College Health Association's 2007 Health Assessment Survey found that 6.8 percent of students at the university have seriously considered suicide at lease once and 0.8 percent have tried to end their own lives.
However, 90 percent of those that commit suicide are suffering from one or more psychiatric disorders, said psychiatrist and panel speaker Michael Torres. Despite the fact that treatment can substantially reduce the chances of someone committing suicide, Torres said, "We see a very small fraction of the people who can benefit from the treatment."
The depression he had struggled with since youth was pushed further during his first semester when he and his girlfriend broke up.
One day after classes, he decided he had no other options and he went to his family's garage to take his own life. His suicide attempt was averted by a concerned friend who told his parents and the police. Arrese entered therapy, and today, he is working toward a criminology degree here.
Yesterday, Arrese shared his story as a part of the presentation announcing the University Health Center's Suicide Awareness Health Education and Training project. The conference included panel speakers discussing a wide array of topics, including risk factors for suicide and how others can help those with depression.
The launch of the program comes in the wake of two student deaths on the campus. Freshman Lance Healy, 19, was found dead in his Centreville apartment earlier this month after committing suicide. Another student was found dead in University Courtyards, though police have not confirmed the cause of death.
"I wish they had waited until this conference," Arrese said. "Maybe if they waited, they would have changed their minds."
Nevertheless, Arrese said he hopes his story serves as a cautionary tale.
Suicide is one of the leading cause of death among college students. The American College Health Association's 2007 Health Assessment Survey found that 6.8 percent of students at the university have seriously considered suicide at lease once and 0.8 percent have tried to end their own lives.
However, 90 percent of those that commit suicide are suffering from one or more psychiatric disorders, said psychiatrist and panel speaker Michael Torres. Despite the fact that treatment can substantially reduce the chances of someone committing suicide, Torres said, "We see a very small fraction of the people who can benefit from the treatment."
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Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
anthony
posted 11/15/07 @ 3:07 AM EST
why don't we focus on the middle east first? i'm sick of this, and not finishing with the war in iraq and civil rights and whatnot. ok, so he knew it. (Continued…)
Drug Rehab
posted 2/10/09 @ 5:16 AM EST
Depression is the second most common illness in the whole world. The numbers don't lie and as we can see, depression can kill. The government should support the creation of new psychological cabinets that could help any student or even support a national campaign in order to create awareness. (Continued…)
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