Jack Crean killed himself the day before his first semester at Penn State began. Introducing the deliberation “‘Blue’ & White: Addressing Depression at Penn State Common Place,” the moderators said Jack was consistently upbeat and could lighten the moods of those in his proximity. Why did he commit suicide? We may never know with certainty, but we do know that depression is a covert illness. The moderators first addressed the issue that depressed students often feel too ashamed to admit depression, as if depression is a personal failing, or a crime for which they are “guilty,” not a treatable ailment. Surveys show, they said, that about 30% of all students are depressed during some of their time at Penn State, yet few report it. Teaching students that they may become depressed at college is the first step towards preparing them to identify the signs of depression, should they develop them.

The moderators thus asked, “How can we teach students that depression is prevalent at Penn State?” We first proposed developing an online depression education module like SAFE or AWARE; however, we agreed that students would likely gloss over it, as they do SAFE and AWARE, if they completed it during the summer. Thus, we discussed having students complete it midway through their first semester, which we thought would be more effective. Integrating a lesson on depression into the first year seminar, we thought, could be effective, until someone pointed out that not all students take a first year seminar, and that first year seminars are not standardized. Therefore, we proposed that all students should take a first year seminar and that at least one class must be devoted to depression.

Once students would be wary that they or their friends could become depressed, the moderators asked, “How can we make depressed students more willing to seek help or identify students who do not willingly admit?” We brought up but quickly abandoned the possibilities of having professors or RAs take on those responsibilities. It would be entirely unreasonable for professors of large classes to identify who among their hundreds of students were depressed. Even RAs would likely not form strong enough friendships with the students on their floor to identify depressed students; Jack Crane’s own family and friends did not suspect, we said, so why would his RA? Having roommates identify depressed students is more feasible, but requires that every student know how to identify symptoms of depression. The most effective option, we agreed, would be to have friends identify depressed friends, which highlights why it is important for Penn State to teach students what the signs of depression are.

Most of the discussion focused on the next step, treating depression, through Counseling And Psychological Services (CAPS). CAPS is underfunded, the moderators lamented, and must turn down all but the most severely depressed or suicidal students (although one of my friends with moderate depression was able to get help through CAPS, so the moderators may have overstated the underfunding). Nevertheless, CAPS is underfunded, and the moderators asked, “How can we increase funding?” We proposed a small tuition increase to cover the costs, which seemed to be the most viable option. Rerouting money from highly paid organizations, such as Penn State football, seemed like it would vex the supporters of such organizations and put CAPS in a bad light. Still, CAPS provides counseling for only a limited time; then, students must seek professional help elsewhere.

Finally, then, the moderators asked “How, besides CAPS, can we help depressed students?” We proposed encouraging depressed students to seek their friends’ support and to join clubs that they would find fulfilling. However, these are broad solutions, and since depression is highly specific to each student, these solutions would likewise need to be individually tailored. The best way to help, we agreed, is to teach students that “Happy Valley” is a misnomer for 30% of students: that it is not being depressed that is shameful, but rather, it is being silent about it. Only when Penn State students accept depression will they be willing to help and seek help that they need. Depression, if treated, has an excellent prognosis.