It's around this time of the year when school work begins to slowly pick up the pace and midterms become visible on the horizon. The increased workload leads to less sleep and more stress, which are also some effects that can cause depression. Seclusion, emotional difficulties and even suicidal tendencies are all serious issues that can arise from depression.

Fortunately for students, the University Board of Regents approved a $38 million project in 2001 to build the nation's first depression center. According to Nursing School Prof. Bonnie Hagerty, the center will integrate both treatment and research, allowing students and professors to acquire a better understanding on the prevention and treatment of depression. This milestone program provides new resources, which should be used to their fullest.

The number of reported depression cases has not been increasing because of a greater genetic vulnerability to the disease, but because of doctors' improved ability to diagnose the problem. Increased awareness and societal changes have reduced the taboos associated with depression.

Sam Goodin, director of Services for Students with Disabilities, has noticed this rise in psychiatric disorders over the course of his 11 years with the University. Hagerty feels that most students are under more stress than they were 10 years ago. She attributes the rise to more family disintegration, greater academic pressure and more students who work or raise children while pursuing a college degree. The acceptance of depression has led to false association of the serious illness. Students, however, must not mistake a bad week or two with depression.

Depression on campus and across the nation has become a more pertinent issue, especially with attention brought to the disease after the success of medications such as Prozac and Paxil. These medications, however, are by no means the only solution for curing the disease.

While medication can be the best line of treatment for some individuals, students should not go into therapy believing that blue pills are the only solution to their ailment. Misled by pharmecutical advertisements, far too many students become wedded to the idea that pyschiatric drugs are their only cure. These decisions are best left to psychiatrists.

On Oct. 9, the University's Depression Center, M-CARE and the Michigan Center for Diagnosis and Referral will be offering a confidential mental health screening from 4 to 7 p.m. at 2101 Commonwealth Ave., located off of Plymouth Road. Students who feel a visit would be beneficial should take part in this screening. Seeking treatment is the best solution for students facing depression, however students should not approach the screening with a mindset that medication is the only solution.