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Show OPINIONS A10 them He Mental health programs nql Although the school has an efficient suicide prevention program, the Student Health Services needs more counselors*to help students struggling with depression. By Mel Sundquist A letter from your student body president *** America's fight for independence has always been of particular interest to me. No matter what country you are from, there is something to be learned from this classic story in history. General George Washington observed that the victory in the War of Independence was through very peculiar circumstances. In his words, the war was won "by a concatenation of causes [which] in all probability at no time, or under any circumstance, will combine again." Indeed, the Continental army was comprised of citizen volunteers who were paid little, poorly fed and were exposed to all conditions. The British army was, as it seemed, better prepared, better equipped and better provided for. The history books are full of stories that depict the Continental army defying all odds. This is a stage in your life which, to quote George Washington again, "at no time, or under any circumstance, will combine again." You have a unique opportunity to gain an education and work towards something greater in your life. As you prepare for your final examinations, recognize that you will, never have these courses again. I hope that you will make the most of the peculiar circumstance you are in right now and do your best to achieve the highest goals you have set for yourself. What a privilege and honor it is to represent you, \ Richard Portwood •. ——t~ - • Editor-in-chief of Tlie V O n Nov. 9, after a student nearly attempted to commit suicide on campus, a collective sigh of dismissal was released: He didn't jump. Problem solved. But the issue remains that this student may have not received the preemptive support that could have prevented him from teetering on the ledge of the seventh-floor of the Computer Science building. We must not forget that the support students require goes beyond the academic. It is necessary to allocate funds and resources to help students before suicide becomes an option. The most needed forms of support within the school are to hire more salaried counselors and to more strongly encourage a student community. Currently, the majority of UVU's depression support is found in the counseling center, through the one-person suicide prevention and awareness program, and a few outreach services through the wellness center. The counseling center has an average waiting period of two weeks before they can schedule any student's appointment. In an emergency, one can speak to a counselor in minutes. This service is, however, limited, as the counseling center can only ensure that one counselor is free at any given time. Jennifer Brown, resident psychologist at the counseling center, estimated that they get two to five of these emergency appointments each week. Compared to the University of Utah, a school that we nearly match in student population but are far behind in funding, our counseling services are incredibly sparse. According to Brown, the U not only has a counseling center, but certified counselors working in its women's and multicultural centers. They also have a grief-counseling program run by the school of nursing. Comparatively, all of our mental health counselors work in one office, in a corner of the second floor of the Student Center. JC Graham, a licensed clinical social worker, is the coordinator for the Suicide Prevention and Awareness program and teaches students and employees at the school how to recognize warning signs among peers. Graham, however, has the sole responsibility of suicide prevention at the university. "What JC does in the community and what she does on campus is phenomenal, and if she were five people, she could reach more," Brown said. Often, depression can be prevented when students, freshly plucked from the community of their youth, can find a locum tenens "family" among other students. This is why student groups must also be taken seriously as a necessary support to mental health. Take, for example, the on-campus LDS Institute. The Institute has no specific services to support students battling depression , but it provides a safe community for LDS students to join. Sources at the Institute mentioned that within this community , there are leaders and students that would "Take care of yourselves. I think that students aren't sleeping enough, they're not eating right, they're not exercising. And I think that often times those things will help." -Jennifer Brown certainly notice and care about peers showing signs of depression. These sources recommended that students facing serious mental or emotional problems seek the advice of their bishop or make an appointment at the student wellness center. The example of the Randyl Nlelson/UW REVIEW Recent events have demonstrated how important it is that support for students go beyond the academic. institute highlights an important part of depression and suicide prevention: giving students a sense of community. Brown emphasized that when recognized early, depression can sometimes be prevented relatively simply. "Take care of yourselves," she said. "I think that students aren't sleeping enough, they're not eating right, they're not exercising. And I think that often times those things will help. "When you've been down for two weeks and you can't get motivated to get out of bed and can't get motivated to get your homework done ... and you usually don't have a problem with that, make an appointment. Don't let it get worse than that." Richard Portwood, student body president, said, "Depression isn't something that you should be embarrassed about. It is very common. We have the resources available to help you and assure you are successful as a student here." Currently, the counseling center and suicide prevention program are shouldering almost more that they can bear. In the midst of the university's current growth frenzy, we must not forget to direct funding toward our mental health services before those needing help slip through the cracks. To ask student government to ensure that more student fees are directed toward mental health services, e-mail StudenfcG^v^ -ernment@uvu.edu .-;'••$ ( • ^ To make an appoint* ment with the counseling center, call 801-8368878 or go to SC 221. If you are at risk for suicide, call 1-800-273TALK(8255). /• ;,.;,i#! • •*»' Letters to the I disagree with the article titled "'Tls the Season." We "huddled masses" are "depressed" because of the -.:-"v.7' weather, period. i r r H - ^ S W ^ - ^ ;-,:•». We gain weight because we have more reason to^ ;v| stay in and watch TV. We're lethargic for the same ^'- :< reason. Less exercise and activity outside means fewer endorphins and less dopgmine in our brains. '&$£?}$^§' When it's dark, our bodies produce more melatonin, v, which makes us want to sleep. Sure, you can have a % positive attitude toward anything, but nature and our : :.^ biology will take their course. ;, ;-rm^M^Mft^l When I'm cold, I'm irritated and I want to be warm; it will inevitably be a pebble in my shoe every time I walk outside. We're not enabling this "self-loathing" state we're just reacting to it. -Andrew Hales i" > "What gives you the right to claim that SAD is not real?1 and that people are not affected by the weather? What education, knowledge or sources do you have that 7!; backs up anything you said? ^S&li'ZM?-^^ 'i- I know what depression and SAD are and how they, laffect people's lives. Depression and SAD can be m a very serious matter of business. There are people $ who need help with an illness caused by a chemical ' imbalance over which they have no control. l( W> 7^- t •' You say, "It's the rage against accountability." "• ^ Accountability for what? Depression and SAD are not always in the mind. It is a real and physical thing. Your "opinion" could very well prevent one of UVU's students from getting the very help they need. Take advice from a person that has first-hand knowledge of these disorders: Don't write an opinion on something about which you obviously have no knowledge or experience. -Chris Koevfi ^ Letter to the Editor Requirements uvu.review.opinions@gmail.com • Letters must be turned in on Wednesday by noon in order to be printed in the next issue.. • All letters become the property of UVU Review as soon as they are submitted. • \- • We make no guarantee that letters will be printed. • Anonymous letters are only publishable when the safety or professional status of the author is in jeopardy. « r . • Letters 300 words or less have a greater chance of beingtpublished anything longer will be edited for content. I |