According to recent studies, depression among college students has risen, with a correlation to excessive Internet usage.
There was a 56 percent rise in depression among college students within the last six years, according to a 2011 research experiment conducted by the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
The rise in statistics is not unusual. In 2009, the American College Health Association surveyed a sample of college students and 30 percent of students were found with depression that interfered with functionality, said Dr. Jonathan Mosko of the counseling and psychological services at Campus Care.
“This doesn’t mean that 30 percent of college students have depression,” Mosko said. “But, the point is that a significant number of students will experience depression at some point during their college careers.”
The university is prepared when it comes to dealing with different resources that students can use when they feel overwhelmed and need outlets for releasing stress and anxiety, Mosko said.
“We have a few avenues to help students who struggle with depression,” he said. “We work to ensure that all of our therapists at CPS are competent to work with students.”
The study also found that students with depression use excessive amounts of Internet, more than an average student without depression.
This resonates personally in terms of using social media as an outlet to cope with depression, said Dakoda Lewis, a sophomore studying mechanical engineering.
“My Internet usage is actually pretty ridiculous,” Lewis said. “I know when I’m feeling extra down, I’d rather sit around and check Facebook over and over again, knowing that there’s nothing exciting going to happen.”
On social media websites such as Facebook, there is occasionally a status that has depressed undertones.
Studies by Wisconsin–Madison revealed that in a sample of 200 Facebook profiles of college students, 25 percent had key phrases or words in statuses that could relate to the symptoms of an individual having depression.
Today, there is talk about a possible development of software that monitors excessive Internet usage and if activity is unusually high, the individual might get referred to professional help.
This idea of monitoring student Internet usage is new to Ryan Lombardi, interim vice president for Student Affairs, who said he doesn’t see it in OU’s near future.
“Having said that, we’re always eager to figure out ways to support our students most effectively, so we would consider all options,” Lombardi added.
Although technology has come a long way, Ashley Toops, a sophomore studying wildlife and conservation biology, said she believes it still should not be a substitute for actual appointments or talking with an actual person.
“The idea of installing something in computers to tell you have depression is, well, stupid,” Toops said. “They aren’t doctors or psychiatrists. It’s a stupid solution to finding out if someone has depression.”
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