Dominican: Seasonal Depression

Angela Romano



Winter Blues Got You Down?

With only 10 minutes until class started, sophomore Sabrina Scardina missed the shuttle at the Priory and decided she would have to drive herself to main campus that morning. She ran to her car, only to discover that her car was covered in ice. Scardina later said,

“It took me 10 minutes to scrape off the ice, so by the time I got to main campus and found a parking spot, I was really late, “Scardina said. “Winter seriously needs to be over. It’s making me depressed.”

With at least six more long weeks of winter, frustration is in the air, especially for college students. As the sky dims and the days shorten over long winter months, it's not unusual for individuals who are prone to depression to find they grow increasingly melancholy throughout the season.

This malady has a name: seasonal affective disorder, or more commonly known as seasonal depression, which occurs because sunlight is needed to stimulate the production of neurotransmitters in the brain.

For college students, the long winters and rigorous academics can begin to take a toll on mental health. Jason Bonick, assistant clinical director of Dominican University’s Wellness Center, says, “Winter is a season when we see a lot more people, but not only due to seasonal affective disorder, but also because of all the stress school brings that time of year.”

The universtiy offers many services through the Wellness Center, which is open to all students and even graduate students. The center serves students who are in need of physical or mental help.

Although Dominican prides itself on these services, some students are unaware that they even exist. Sophomore Jinny Fester says, “I am not aware that they have counseling services here, but I guess if I knew exactly what they were, then I might look into it. I haven’t really heard anything about them though. It would have been helpful because these last few months have been brutal.”

Although some students may not known the Wellness Center, in the month of January, 74 Dominican students utilized the counseling services. The Wellness Center is even trying to create more opportunities for students and is currently looking for another full -time and part-time counselor.

The counselors at Dominican believe students see college as a beacon lighting their way to personal freedom, new possibilities and unbridled independence. When college proves to be a larger challenge than they anticipated--academically, socially and psychologically--, students may experience depression.

When the blues last for weeks, or interfere with academic or social functioning, this can become a problem. Hinsdale therapist Jacqueline Lesaily, who works for Heritage Professional Associates, says, “College brings many new experiences. Students are dealing with the loss of the familiar, rigorous academics, the stress of developing a new social network, and the easy access to alcohol and drugs.”

When the weather is brutal and schoolwork is growing unbearable, many find themselves engaging in dangerous behavior. Bonick says, “What I see a lot here is that students manifest their emotional and mental turmoil in negative behavior-drinking, drugs, sex. There is nothing wrong with those things when used correctly and responsibly, but when students use them to fill an emotional void, then that’s where the problems come in. Pay attention to what you’re doing and to why you’re doing it.”

Dominican is unique because students are able to use the counseling services as many times as they need. Unlike some universities, Dominican believes that not limiting counseling is what best serves students.

Bonick says, “At other universities, if you look on their web sites, some only offer a limited number of services. I think Northwestern offers six, Columbia offers eight, UIC is something like 10 or 12, but here we say no, we don’t want to put limits on it. We want to give you what you need. If that means we see you all year, we will make that happen.”

The Dominican counseling service also prides itself on being relationship oriented. Bonick says, “Students know their teachers well, and they know their staff members well; they know everyone well. We want to do the same. We want to focus on relationships.”

For those students who aren’t comfortable talking to a counselor, Bonick offers a few tips to deal with the winter. He says, “You have to fight it. Go out and exercise, eat healthy, take vitamins to boost your immune system and raise your vitamin levels, and also take a walk at the brightest parts of the day with friends.”

College students are at a unique place in their lives because the sky’s the limit. Students get to pick their major, their friends, and how they want to spend their four years. Junior Kate Seitz says, “Although these years are scary because I don’t know where I’m going to end up, it’s also exciting to know that I can be anyone I want to be.”

Bonick wants to remind students that they can utilize the services even if they aren’t feeling depressed or down because of the frigid weather. He says, “ College is a time of new beginnings and can involve some major decisions. We as counselors want to be sources of comfort to students and help them be the best they can possibly be.”