Counselors busiest in winter months

By Michael Moeschler

As reports of depression among college students continue to rise, the Santa Clara Health and Wellness Centers have taken action to accommodate students.

Director of Health and Counseling Services at Santa Clara Larry Wolfe believes that some of college students' depression is linked to their environment.

"I think the college environment is a transition stage, especially for freshmen and seniors," said Wolfe. "They're dealing with additional stressors of either being away from home or finding a job. When normal support systems like family are gone, students can become depressed."

A study conducted by psychologist Robert Gallagher of the University of Pittsburgh found that 85 percent of North America's college counseling centers reported an increase in students with psychological problems over the past five years. According to a survey taken by Santa Clara's Wellness Center last year, 18.3 percent of undergraduates reported being depressed during the academic year. This percentage is higher than the College Health Associations study that said that 10 percent of college students have been diagnosed with depression.

The winter season is commonly associated with the most reported cases of depression. Health Educator Jeanne Zeamba relates this to several factors. "As freshmen return from their first quarter there may be some depression associated with not being at home," said Zeamba. "Also, the shorter days and lack of sun during the winter season have an effect some students."

Santa Clara's Counseling Center reported that winter quarter is their busiest of all three quarters. The Counseling Center treated 265 students during the winter quarter compared to 221 students during the fall quarter of last year, according to Wolfe. With such a high number of students seeking counseling and only five trained psychologists on staff at the center accommodating all students can be a challenge.

"Winter quarter gets very busy and we get to the point where we have trouble finding spots for people to match their openings," said Wolfe. "We have openings but sometimes they're not the ones students want. Were fortunate in that we don't have a waiting list for students, there's always space."

Unlike counseling centers at other universities where students may have to wait two or three weeks before receiving treatment, Santa Clara's counseling center can find time for students. "In a quarter system, waiting two or three weeks for help is almost too late to help students," said Wolfe.

The counseling center is able to stay organized and efficient with its treatment of students by continuing to stay with the same student after the initial meeting.

At other schools students may meet with one counselor only to be moved to another later in treatment, acocording to Wolfe.

"By not moving students around we save time and the students time as well," he said.

Another place that students can visit for help is the Wellness Center. "The Wellness Center is built as this place for prevention," said Zeamba. "We are an educational resource for students to come in and get information on all kinds of issues, including depression."

Both Wolfe and Zeamba encouraged students to talk to someone at either of the centers if they felt depressed. The Counseling Center is a free service that offers unlimited sessions to students.

"This is a great resource," said Zeamba. "People might think you're crazy for going to counseling, but I think you're crazy if you don't."