Myth:  Depression doesn’t affect me.

Fact:   According to a 2004 survey by the American College Health Association, nearly half of all college students report feeling so depressed at some point that they have trouble functioning and 15 percent meet the criteria for clinical depression.

Myth:  Depression is not a real medical problem.

Fact:   Depression is a real and serious condition.  It can have both emotional and physical symptoms and make life very difficult for those who have it.

Myth:  Depression is something that strong people can “snap out of” by thinking positively.

Fact:   No one chooses to be depressed, just like no one chooses to have any other health condition. People with depression cannot just “snap out of” their depression.  It is not a sign of weakness or laziness to be depressed; it is a health problem resulting from changes in brain function due to environmental and biological factors.

Myth:  Depression only happens when something bad happens in your life, such as a breakup, the death of a loved one or failing an exam.

Fact:  Depression is more than just having occasional sad thoughts. While everyone experiences ups and downs in life, and often will feel sad for some time after a serious loss or disappointment, developing depression does not require a specific negative event. Depression can arise suddenly, even when things in life seem to be going well.

Myth:  Depression will just go away on its own.

Fact:   While for some people, depression may go away without treatment, for many others it does not.  Without treatment, symptoms of depression can continue for weeks, months or even years. Depression can lead to suicide, the third leading cause of death for 18- to 24-year-olds. The good news is that most people do get better with treatment.

Myth:  Antidepressants will change your personality.

Fact:  The thought of taking medicine that changes your brain chemistry can be scary. However, antidepressants are designed to change only certain chemicals that underlie the symptoms of depression, not to change your personality.  Most people who take antidepressants are actually happy to feel like themselves again, rather than feeling like a different person.

Myth:  Talking about depression only makes it worse.

Fact:  Although you might be worried about discussing depression with someone else, being alone with your thoughts can be more harmful when facing this disorder.  If you are hesitant to talk to family members or friends, think about contacting a counseling professional on your campus. If at any point, you feel so overwhelmed by feelings of sadness and hopelessness that you are considering hurting yourself, call 800.273.TALK for help.

Information Adapted from Mental Health America

Collin College Professional Counselors and Professors will be facilitating The Blue Dog Days of Depression on each campus in conjunction with National Depression Screening Day in early October. Please note the schedule below.

Tuesday, Oct. 9 at the Spring Creek Campus Conference Center

Wednesday, Oct. 10 at Central Park Campus Pike Hall

Thursday, Oct. 11 at the Preston Ridge Campus Event Center

All programs are scheduled from 1-2:15 p.m.

For more college mental health information, contact Collin College Counseling Services at 972.881.5126 or go to the following college mental health fair at