Depression among College Students and signs to watch for

College is a time of new beginnings.  One of the many aspects about going to college is the endless number of choices students have.  Being away from home and having independence both motivates and excites students.

Ten percent of college students have been diagnosed with depression.  The National Institute of Mental Health released the following list of common symptoms of depression:

• sadness
• anxiety
• fatigue
• loss of interest in activities
• sleep disturbances
• appetite and weight change

A number of Buffalo musicians will join together Oct. 21 for a concert benefiting those affected by Hurricane Katrina. All proceeds from the night's event will go to the Mercy Corps Hurricane Katrina fund that provides supplies and assistance to the storm's victims.

Mercy Corps main objective is to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive and just communities. Programs currently reach 7 million people in more than 35 countries. Since 1979, Mercy Corps has provided over $1 billion in assistance to people in 81 nations. Mercy Corps is a nonprofit organization with headquarters in Portland, Seattle, Cambridge, Washington, D.C. and Edinburgh, Scotland.

The National Student Exchangeprogram’s motto is “Widen Your Educational Horizons,” which is exactly what program Vice President Wendel B. Wickland wants students to do. 

“Too many students treat college like high school,” he said.  “They come to class and then leave and don’t really get the college experience,” This is why the NSE is appealing to students-- to get a new cultural perspective while remaining on North American soil.