Speech 2 Outline

Ellie McDermott 

Hem Paudel

RHET:1030:0047

11 November 2018

Speech 2 Outline: Depression on College Campuses

Hook: 

Research shows that nearly 1 in 5 university students are affected with depression for a number of factors. (VeryWell Mind)

• The freshman transition to college 
• Homesickness
• Gaining weight and lacking self-confidence
• Adjusting to different work schedules 
• Adjusting to new friends or roommates
•  Managing your own money 
• Relationships/friendships

Introduction:

            I became introduced to college depression a few years ago because of my brother. At the time, I was a junior in high school and could not understand why he was struggling. I thought he was simply living the amazing “college life.”  He was playing basketball at the University of Northern Iowa. He continued to tell my parents was stressed, never felt happy, had trouble sleeping, and barely made it through most practices. Nothing was solved until he went to the doctor and was diagnosed with college depression. 

            (Problem) College Depression: 

College depression is a major problem that tends to be forgotten or thrown to the side about by many parents, professors, and even students themselves. 

• Mayo Clinic defines college depression as “College depression isn't a clinical diagnosis. Instead, college depression is depression that begins during college. College students face challenges, pressures, and anxieties that can cause them to feel overwhelmed.” 

·      The American Psychiatric Association as: “Depression (major depressive disorder) is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act.” 

§  The difference between college depression and depression is the new environment you are placed in but the symptoms tend to be the same.            

Symptoms include: 

·      Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed

• Changes in appetite — weight loss or gain unrelated to dieting
• Increase in purposeless physical activity (e.g., hand-wringing or pacing) or slowed movements and speech (actions observable by others)
• Feeling worthless or guilty
• Difficulty thinking, concentrating or making decisions
• Thoughts of death or suicide

Relating the topic back to the audience: 

            Now you may be wondering how this relates back to you. College depression can relate to everyone in this room because we have all faced one or more of these symptoms. Whether it be from: 

• The freshman transition to college, good or bad it was a change for everyone 
• Homesickness
• Adjusting to different work schedules 
• Adjusting to new friends or roommates
•  Managing your own money 
• Relationships
•  These things can trigger or unmask depression during college in some young adults. Sometimes there are mild forms of depression that only last a short period of time as you adjust to something in life. 
• Other times there are serious issues that can lead to tragic events. Unfortunately, suicide is one of the leading effects of depression because students believe their situation will not get better.
• According to VeryWell Mind: “Suicides among girls ages 15 to 19 doubled from 2007 to 2015, when it reached its highest point in 40 years. The suicide rate for boys ages 15 to 19 grew by 30 percent from 2007 to 2015.”
• This problem needs to be solved to stop these bad things from reoccurring. 

Although no one has been able to find a cure for this depression...

Solutions that have been tried like:

• Have the student take a college visit before attending the school
• Talking to counselors or other current students 
• Having a strong bond with family back home
• The school sets up booths and fairs to provide resources to students 
• Taking REXULTI or other depression medications 
• These actions show people are aware of the problem. Although it is known that most people, especially students avoid the topic unless it has affected them personally. 
• These solutions also might not be the best option for people. 

Real-time working solution: 

• On the first day of every year or semester, each student should be required to sign up for either a sporting event, gym membership, arts program, etc. 
• This has been seen to work for many students in other areas like stress relief. By trying this action depression might also have a cue. 

Although since not everyone enjoys being active or has an interest in art and it may not work for them….

• Students will also be required to take a class their freshman and junior year in their undergraduate years for their mental health taught by a trained professional in mental health.
• Freshman year: This class will evaluate how well students are doing with the college transition, friends, personal feelings towards self, etc. 
• Junior year: This second class will dive deeper into if students are prepared for the world ahead of them. Looking for jobs, marriage, children, being alone, moving, family issues, etc. Overall, the goal is to check their mental state and prepare them for what is ahead. 
• According to Best Counseling Degrees: working out or doing art allows your brain to focus elsewhere and release some energy and negative feelings. 

Justification: 

• By working out you are not only keeping yourself physically healthy, but it can also keep you mentally stable. 
• This solution would not be too costly due to the fact that most college gyms are open to all students. Sporting events and art programs may only have students pay a small fee to have a membership.
• Provides students a set schedule and pattern to stick to. 
• Gyms and art programs are also typically packed with people who have similar interest. Since every student is required to pick either the sporting or art option, the opportunity to make friends and meet more people is available.  
• The classes are also the best solution because it shows students, especially those struggling with depression that people still care about how they are doing. 
• Since many students may hide that they have depression this class allows them to express their own personal worries about their mental health with a professional and get help through this course. 

Conclusion: 

            In conclusion, college depression is a very serious problem. This issue needs to be taken more seriously and people need to realize it affects more students then they may know. If we implement these two solutions on our own campus the rates of suicide and depression overall may decrease. 

Ending Hook:   

            Let’s stop college depression and spread more awareness for mental health because one day it may even affect you. 

References

American Psychiatric Association. What is depression? Retrieved from: 

www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/depression/what-is-depression.

Burrell, J. (2018). The grim numbers behind adolescent suicides and attempts. Retrieved from:

www.verywellmind.com/college-and-teen-suicide-statistics-3570768.

Hughes, K. (2017). 10 great tips for dealing with depression in college.Retrieved from: 

www.bestcounselingdegrees.net/10-great-tips-for-dealing-with-depression-in-college/.

Mayo Clinic Staff. (2016). College depression: what parents need to know. Mayo Foundation for 

Medical Education and Research. Retrieved from:

www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/tween-and-teen-health/in-depth/college-depression/art-20048327.