An American College Health Association, National College Health Assessment in 2011 study found that 30 percent of college students surveyed said they were "so depressed that it was difficult to function at some time in the past year."

If that number applies to Elon, that could be roughly 1,500 students.

Some students might catch themselves saying "I'm depressed" and not really understanding the seriousness of that statement. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, depression "interferes with daily life and causes pain for both you and those who care about you. Depression is a common but serious illness."

"I can be normal and fine one minute, and then i swing very very low, so it can be completely fine, and something minute and can set me off into a deep spiral." said freshman Alec Redler.

Redler is bipolar and has clinical depression.

Senior Jan Erickson struggles with Bipolar ii Disorder. Some days going from complete happiness to severe depression.

"There are days when you need to go to class and you can't get out of bed." Erickson said.

Both students said they aren't themselves when they're depressed, something those without depression don't understand.

"You push things away you tend to be more reclusive and i don't know how to explain it you're a darker form of who you really are and that can scare people, people who really care about you," Redler said.

Redler has known since he was little that he's had depression, and he's taken antidepressants for years. He had his first mental breakdown when he was in the 6th grade.

"Sometimes it feels like the whole world is against you, feels like theres a pit in your stomach that you can't get rid of".

Erickson said this feeling is something students can't just ignore.

" I learned in the past if I don't put my mental health first then everything else kind of falls down behind it," Erickson said.

And beyond medication, Erickson says what helps her get through it all is starting a conversation.

"Just anything you can do to start talking about it and kind of break that silence makes a world of difference," Erickson said.

But Erickson and Redler both say fighting depression is something they have to work at, every day.

"A friend once told me, "this too shall pass" that everything just a blip in what shall come and what shall be, so you just need to work through the single moment and take it one day at a time," Redler said.

"I have seen constant improvements with myself and i know that i am never going to be perfect and i know i am never going stop making mistakes but i know that i will always have the ability to learn from those mistakes," Erickson said.

If you or anyone you know needs help on campus, contact Elon Counseling Services, located in the health center, 301 S. O' Kelly Ave. The service is free and the office is opened from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Students may contact the office to make an appointment at 336-278-7280.

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