x
  
  
Posted: 12/01/95

TAMIU Presents Free Talk On "Depression" December 6

 

TAMIU Logo
 

Texas A&M; International University will present a free talk on "Depression" Wednesday, December 6, at 3:00 p.m. at TAMIU's north Laredo campus, 5201 University Boulevard, in Building C, Room 212. Featured guest speaker will be Debra Russell, Coordinator of Disabled Student Services at TAMIU.

Members of the community and University students and staff are invited to attend the talk, which will include information on the symptoms of depression, signals of suicide, ways to combat depression, and treatment options.

Russell noted that the holiday season is a time of depression for many people.

"If someone has lost a loved one, the holidays can bring on a flood of memories that can lead to depression. The breakup of a relationship, loss of a job, stress and anxiety can also lead to depression," Russell said.

Because the semester ends as the holidays approach, students overwhelmed by the pressures of term papers and final exams may also succumb to depression.

"Students are often very hard on themselves. If they have not done as well in their classes as they or their family expected, students can become depressed," Russell added.

Symptoms of depression include feelings of loneliness, helplessness, and intense sadness, mood swings, lack of energy, changes in eating habits such as sudden loss of appetite or uncharacteristic overeating, and insomnia, excessive sleeping, or other changes in sleep patterns.

"Identifying the symptoms and causes of depression can help individuals cope," she said.

Russell provides Counseling services by appointment to TAMIU students who are self-referred or referred by faculty or others. She holds a Master's degree in Counseling from California State University in Stanislaus.

For more information on the free talk on "Depression" at TAMIU Dec. 6, please contact the University's Student Health Services at 326-2235.

 

TAMIU office hours are 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday.

This story by Oralia Roach.

29 November 1995