Berkeleyan

Campus events to address depression

29 September 2005

Depression is one of the top three complaints students bring to Counseling and Psychological Services at University Health Services (UHS). Recent studies have shown that the number of students seeking help for depression has climbed steadily over the last decade.

While it's difficult to pinpoint whether the increase in people who report they're depressed can be traced to expanded awareness of the disease or an upswing in depression, the campus is taking the problem very seriously. As part of Mental Health Awareness Week, UHS will present a number of events next week to reach members of the campus community in need of help and support.

Mental Wellness Day -Tues., Oct. 4, 10 a.m-2 p.m., Upper Sproul Plaza.
Depression screenings, counselor consultations, stress management and relaxation resources, community organizations, educational materials, campus resources, giveaways. Open to faculty, staff, students, and the community.

Workshop: Investing In Mental Health: Enhancing Your Wellness Portfolio - Tues., Oct. 4, 2:30-3:30 p.m., Stephens Lounge, Martin Luther King, Jr. Student Union.
Learn skills for building self-esteem, managing your mood, strengthening motivation with school and work, managing your time, achieving balance, building healthy relationships, and making the most out of your life. Presented by Ted Berg, staff psychologist at Alta Bates; and Lesley Parke, Alameda County Psychological Association. All are welcome.

Graduate Women's Workshop: Find Balance and Decrease Stress -Thurs., Oct. 6, 11 a.m.-noon, Tilden Room, Martin Luther King, Jr. Student Union.
UHS psychologists Carolyn Mohker and Grace Chen will coach women grad students on a crucial aspect of their lives. Enrollment limited; RSVP to chrissy1@berkeley.edu. Sponsored by the Graduate Women's Project of the Graduate Assembly.

Online mental health screenings - daily.
Go to the A-Z index of the UHS website (uhs.berkeley.edu), click on the Faculty & Staff tab, and scroll down to "mental health screenings." Offered are brief online screenings for depression, anxiety, eating disorders, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress.

The week's events are sponsored by UHS and the Alameda County Psychological Association, and by Student Life's Student-to-Student Peer Counseling Program. For information, contact UHS's Erica Browne at 643-0418. For a closer look at depression issues at Berkeley, visit www.berkeley.edu/news/berkeleyan/2004/11/04_depression.shtml