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Have you ever felt hollow or numb?

Have you ever felt like you were drowning while others around you kept afloat?

These are a few descriptions of how it can feel to have depression. Depression is often described as an emotional state (“I’m depressed” or “that’s depressing”).

However, clinical depression is a true mental health problem, which can be treated.

It’s normal to feel down or blue occasionally, but it’s important to note if you or a friend are experiencing more than regular sadness.

Remember, you don’t have to be “going through something” to have depression.

While people often feel sad after a break-up or a stressful life event, sometimes people experience depression without having any life stressors or triggers.

Some signs of depression might include feeling sad most days of the week, withdrawing from others, sleeping too little or too much and sometimes feeling irritable or agitated.

Curious whether you or a friend might have depression? Oct. 10 is National Depression Screening Day, and you may want to consider taking a screening to help make an informed decision about getting help.

CAPS offers free online screenings for depression and other mental health problems, which can be accessed by visiting our website.

Sometimes depression can cause you to have thoughts of wanting to die or feeling you/others might be better off if you were dead.

If you, or a friend, are experiencing this, do not wait to get help. For emergencies, always call 911.

You can also contact campus security at 321-674-8111 .

The following services are also available for 24/7 free and confidential support:
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK/8255 — suicidepreventionlifeline.org
The Brevard 211 Helpline: dial 211-or- (321) 632-6688 — www.211brevard.org
The Crisis Text Line: text “Home” to: 741741 — www.crisistextline.org

Consultation services are also available at CAPS if you have concerns for yourself or a friend.

While depression can feel like an uphill battle, having the right knowledge, resources, and tools can help to lift your spirits and get back to fully living your life.

For more information regarding CAPS’ services and support, drop by our center, call us, or visit our website.

Many people enjoy helping others.

Aside from altruistic feelings, helping in the form of random acts of kindness, volunteering or civic service can keep you feeling engaged and connected with people in the community.

In many ways, helping others can lead to helping oneself in that it provides an opportunity to shift focus outward rather than dwelling inward on negative or self-critical thoughts.

Things like community service or volunteering can
also help build your resume and network.

Afterall, you never know who might have a connection that can help you out professionally or even personally.

Helping others can be as simple as offering to help a fellow student study.

It can also involve a larger commitment, such as regular volunteering commitments or donations.

Any way that you help, large or small, can have rippling effects on the community and on yourself.

This week consider ways in which you can reach out to help others.

Make time for a simple phone call or message to a peer who seems down.

Stop to hold the door open for a stranger.

Donate items to those in need.

Or, give your time and skills to a larger cause, such as mentoring or other forms of service.

You can also find new ways to get involved through visiting the Office of Civic Engagement’s website: www. fit.edu/civic-engagement.

Helping others also involves acknowledging and accepting help ourselves.

If you are in need of support, reach out to friends, family or others within the community, such as an instructor, advisor, supervisor and/or clergy.

Consider seeking professional help as well.

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) can help students learn how to work through life’s challenges, heal emotional pain and develop the necessary skills to lead healthy and balanced lives … and help you get back to helping those around you.

For more information regarding CAPS’ services and support, drop by our center, call us or visit our website.

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CAPS Presents: Lift Your Spirits

CAPS Presents: Help Others and Yourself