On a gloomy, rainy Thursday morning, counselors screened at least 37 University of Minnesota students to see if their dark moods constituted clinical depression. As part of National Depression Screening Day, University Counseling and Consulting Services tested students throughout the day, referring at least 26 for follow-up treatment. The screening showed similar results to a 1998 Boynton Health Service survey. The survey showed more than one-third of University students feel sad or depressed once or more per week.
Depression is one of the most frequently undiagnosed problems in the United States.
Each year since 1994, counselors have screened between 30 and 40 students. Hirsch said depression is normally a short-term experience that people overcome quickly. But for others, depression can be an ongoing concern. Many people experience both vegetative and emotional symptoms of depression. Vegetative symptoms include fatigue, appetite loss and concentration problems.