Issue date: 10/6/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Kim Acheson Rogalla

One of every five people struggle with depression in any given year, said Terry Rogalla, a counselor at UW-Eau Claire. This year Counseling Services offers a new online self-assessment for students who think they may have depression.

Senior Jordan Benedict has been battling clinical depression and said he encourages students to take the test.

"People who have clinical depression have a chemical imbalance that makes them react differently to a situation. I think students need to lead the initiative more," Benedict said. "I'm a Resident Assistant and I try to help out other students by talking about it and supporting them."

Benedict said depression is often associated with an unnecessary stigma. He said it's OK to be depressed and not that unusual since half of all college students experience depression at some point.

Society's cliché regarding depression is to "toughen up," Benedict said.

"Would you say the same thing about things we accept? Diabetes? A broken leg? Depression doesn't define what a person is able to do," he said.

Rogalla agreed.

"Many people who suffer from depression don't recognize it, and a lot of people don't know where to turn," he said.

Benedict said one of the most important things to do for a friend with depression is to be there for them.

"If I'm always present, they're never alone," he said.

In honor of National Depression Screening Day on Oct. 10, Rogalla said he encourages students to take the free and anonymous screening available on the Counseling Services Web site, http://www.uwec.edu/Counsel.

He said he wants people to be comfortable taking the test so that everyone on campus becomes aware of how common depression is and where to go for help.

"I've had clients tell me they've never thought about suicide, and I say to them, you're the exception, because most people do think about it," Rogalla said.

A lot of people with depression symptoms may hesitate to seek help because they fear judgment by the public, their peers or because they think they are less capable and less strong than others, Benedict said.

"I didn't come get help right away because I thought my family and friends would think there is something wrong with me," he said. "I'm an on-campus leader, I thought everything was OK."

After he took the step to get counseling, Benedict said the people close to him were proud that he took that step for himself, and he has shown the same confidence towards others.

"When a friend comes to me, I show them that I will be present in their life, every single day," Benedict said.

With the help of both counselors and peers, Benedict said the Eau Claire campus could become more open to help students in need.

"I share my own weakness a lot to make people more comfortable, and I think this screening is a big step for everyone."

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