#1 reason why they should adopt a fall reading week or even a couple of extra days before exams- more and more schools are doing it now

Originally Posted by jhan523

I'm sure they just mean "depression" as a mood and not actual clinical depression. But surveys should really distinguish between these things because being depressed is nothing compared to clinical depression. University is important for the majority of students and it's not an easy thing to accomplish. Life is hard and can often lead to times where one can feel "hopeless" when they encounter a large obstacle that feels impossible to overcome (Like a really hard exam) and as a result they may feel despair. I personally think it's a legitimate reaction. But if people fall into clinical depression then it can be very serious. I just hope McMaster's Health and Wellness Centre is screening students properly.

For this survey I highly doubt people were screened for clinical depression, so those numbers may be lower (I hope) since not everyone knows the difference between very sad and depressed

Originally Posted by Snowman

For this survey I highly doubt people were screened for clinical depression, so those numbers may be lower (I hope) since not everyone knows the difference between very sad and depressed

I mean when students actually go to the centre for help.

Originally Posted by jhan523

I mean when students actually go to the centre for help.

They do (based on personal experience). Depression and anxiety especially are difficult to "screen" for, but they do use the BDI as well as several other screening tools, and take quite a bit of time to talk to you before making a diagnosis.

I really do support Stomp Out Stigma but 950 students it not that close to a representative sample of the McMaster population. and how do we know what students they interviewed? and what time? (ex. exam time) ... Also what faculties were they in? There are about 20,000 undergrad students at McMaster

Does anyone have any information on how the actual study was conducted?

A two week christmas break would be nice. Also, the housing conditions in Hamilton are shit. They need to get their act together and have a max of 5 students in a house for example, instead of shoving everyone in dark dungy depressing basements.

Originally Posted by raptorboi

A two week christmas break would be nice. Also, the housing conditions in Hamilton are shit. They need to get their act together and have a max of 5 students in a house for example, instead of shoving everyone in dark dungy depressing basements.

Your the one who decided to live there. Don't want to live there find a better house. No one is forcing you to live there. If ppl didn't rent them then they would be changed, but someone is willing to live there so landlords see no issue in keeping it.
Also I feel (and hope) it is more stress then depression. Though I do like how McMaster brings awareness to an issue that is usually "swept under the rug". Students and faculty need to know the warning signs and see that there is help out there if you are struggling.

Originally Posted by kschwab

I really do support Stomp Out Stigma but 950 students it not that close to a representative sample of the McMaster population. and how do we know what students they interviewed? and what time? (ex. exam time) ... Also what faculties were they in? There are about 20,000 undergrad students at McMaster

Does anyone have any information on how the actual study was conducted?

There were 21,173 full time, undergraduate (i.e. MSU members) students at McMaster in 2009-2012, so 950 students surveyed represents roughly 4.5% percent of that population. StatsCan has released heavily cited surveys in the past (like the labour force survey) which only surveyed about 2% of the population, but was still statistically significant, so 950 students isn't low at all.
I do echo your second sentiment and would like more information on how this survey was constructed though.

Thanks for providing the math! Still, they could have been all engineers for all we know :( Anyone taking a stats course should know to question their methods. Regardless, depression is a serious issue I hope that they did well with their stomp out stigma campaign, would like to see some stats on how that went as well

Do you have personal experiences with mental health systems,madness, mental illness, psychiatric disabilities, etc.? Are you a student orplanning to return to school? There's an upcoming (Thursday, October 25 from4:30-6:30pm) peer support meeting in Hamilton at McMaster University forstudents from any college, university, or adult education course/program: https://www.facebook.com/events/292022850908782/Can’t make it? Looking for other support? Mad Students Society moderates anactive, private, email discussion listserv (like an online message board orforum) open to members living anywhere in the world. Email [email protected] ciety.com for location details or to join the listserv. www.madstudentsociety .com

Thatsbwhy we need week off at midtrrm like other unis. Seriously think there should be a petition

Originally Posted by firmanj

Thatsbwhy we need week off at midtrrm like other unis. Seriously think there should be a petition

1. Most schools don't get a fall break.

2. Petitions don't do anything, they're just a way for people to feel like they're doing something.

3. This is already something the MSU president discussed in her campaign, and the issue is being addressed. I believe they're aiming to have a fall break put in place by next year.

Depression hits you when you don't have a stable job after graduation and can not pay off your debt. School and midterm is not a time to stress.

Originally Posted by Bobby66

Depression hits you when you don't have a stable job after graduation and can not pay off your debt. School and midterm is not a time to stress.

Depression can hit any time, and it's not always dependent on environmental factors.

Do it! Do it!