A forum discussion and a guest lecture by the former Miss Rhode Island last week examined the mental well-being of college students as part of Mental Health Awareness Week. Both events were sponsored by the Active Minds at Brandeis club.Approximately a dozen students gathered last Monday night for an open discussion with Brandeis psychologist Roberta Caplan and Assistant Dean of Student Life Alwina Bennett. The forum focused its conversation on potential warning signs and contributing factors to student depression.

Active Minds member Mary Schillinger '07 said the group discussed many issues that can cause personal depression. These included "cultural trends of our own society, as well as who to turn to when dealing with it," she said.

Schillinger, who has dealt with depression herself, said the group discussed several "red flags" such as online journal entries that can often reveal an individual's "heart and soul."

Bentley graduate and 2004 Miss Rhode Island Aimee Belisle spoke Tuesday evening about her personal experiences battling depression during her college years.

While stressing that she was not advocating the use of any one specific type of treatment over another, Belisle emphasized the importance of seeking some form of outside help for depression. She said that college students in particular should take advantage of the resources available on university campuses. "My friend had to literally force me to go to the counseling services center to make an appointment with a therapist," she recalled. "I physically resisted him. But I'm glad he made me go."

Belisle told the story of her own personal struggle with depression. After a friend urged her to consult a therapist during her junior year, Belisle was prescribed medication and began attending behavioral therapy sessions on a regular basis. She said these treatments helped to clear what she described as the mental "fog" brought on by her condition.

While she noticed a change after the first two weeks of medication, Belisle said that her therapy had a more gradual effect. During sessions with her therapist, she learned important techniques for recognizing and avoiding destructive behavior and thoughts. For example, Belisle said, she and her therapist brainstormed ways to channel her negative thoughts and feelings into safe, healthy actions. When she felt the urge to cut herself, she would often scribble on a piece of paper instead.

Belisle said she felt strongly that depression is a problem that can be overcome.

"You can be successful and fulfill all your dreams despite having a mental illness," she said. "You just have to acknowledge what you have and work on it."

Julie Totten, president and founder of advocacy group Families for Depression Awareness, attended the event and spoke briefly before Belisle did. Totten's organization promotes education and discussion of issues concerning mental illness. Having founded the group after losing her brother to suicide, Totten said she hopes that by raising awareness of depression among young people, "this generation can break through the shell of stigma.