For most people, the holidays are a time for celebration and joy, but they're also a time where many people fall into darkness.
A Canadian study from 1999 found that patients treated by emergency psychiatric services during the holiday season had the feeling of loneliness or “being without family” as the most common stressor.
Accountancy and economics sophomore, Claire Danielson, the vice president of the student organization Out of the Darkness Walk, said one of the most reasonable explanations for depression over the holiday season is that people without a family feel lonely and hopeless when family is so important and apparent during those times.
“At Out of the Darkness, we work hard to foster a sense of community whether it be through our club or the ASU community through events,” she said.
Out of the Darkness was established at ASU this semester to counter suicide on campus and to address mental illness.
Biochemistry major Justin Zeien, the organization's president, said Out of the Darkness tries to address mental health stigmas as well as help students deal with those issues.
“Besides advocating for research, we have resources to help people out," he said. “Whether it be interacting with people or anything to alleviate symptoms.”
Zeien also said the club is trying to end the disparity between mental illness and physical illness.
“We want to make it easier to talk about,” he said. “Mental illness, like any other physical illness, is a serious thing that needs medical attention.”
This year, Out of the Darkness was supposed to host a Thanksgiving dinner designed to help at-risk students such as veterans, international students, LGBTQA students and freshmen see that they have a family here at ASU even if they can't go home to their families over this short holiday.
Because they had issues getting the word out, not enough students signed up, so the event was canceled.
Zeien said he thinks next year will be more successful.
“It’s a matter of marketing and getting name out there,” he said.
Next month, Out of the Darkness will be hosting yoga and meditation sessions on Hayden Lawn as people are starting to study for finals to help promote healthy ways to deal with stress and anxiety.
Next semester, they will also be working together with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to host an Out of the Darkness Walk to raise awareness and funds for vital research and education.
According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, suicide claims more than 38,000 lives each year in the U.S. alone, with someone dying from suicide every 13.7 minutes.
Steve Schiro, chair of the Arizona chapter of the AFSP, said students shouldn’t be afraid to ask if someone they know is depressed.
“Sometimes just asking that question can change how a person is thinking,” he said. “Just knowing someone cares can help.”
Schiro said his son was a student at ASU when he took his own life just a month before graduation.
“We noticed subtle changes in his behavior, but we weren’t really paying attention,” he said. “It’s important to be looking for things like a change in attitude, behavior or even hygiene.”
Schiro said he wants to stress that students who are coping with depression or know someone who has depression should seek immediate help.
“I think it’s important that during this time of the year, it’s important to stress as much as you can to take care of yourself,” he said. “People should look out for each other.”
For mental health emergencies contact EMPACT ASU's emergency counseling line at (480)-921-1006.
Reach the reporter at kgrega@asu.edu or follow her on twitter @kelciegrega
