The Collegian

The Collegian is the student newspaper of San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, Calif. The paper is published six times a semester.

As a First Amendment newspaper we pride ourselves on a commitment to the students of Delta College while maintaining independence.

We reinvigorate the credo that the newspaper speaks for the students, checks abuses of power and stands vigilant in the protection of democracy and free speech.

Heather Bradford works as a counselor at Delta within the Counseling and Special Services Division.

When asked about the depression, Bradford explains as follows:

“Depression is an illness that is silent, because no one can really see it.”

She compares this illness to injuries like broken bones, abrasions, lacerations, etc…

“It’s something that’s an illness that you can’t really see. You can only really see the symptoms of it,” Bradford explains.

The term “depression” is often interchangeably misused in a variety of ways to describe sadness, grief and other extreme emotions.

“It is a term a lot of people tend to use very loosely to describe a very wide spectrum of emotions. Same thing with anxiety, that’s a diagnosable, clinical disorder,” Bradford said.

Additionally, there are assessments that can be done in private or with a counselor.

Bradford encourages students to reach out.

“There are ways to do a self assessment. That’s just a guideline that a person would use to then have a way to know [if they] need to talk to someone,” Bradford explained.

“Someone can be depressed for a period of time but because they haven’t talked about it, they haven’t really expressed it to anyone because of the stigma behind it or maybe they feel ashamed, or they’re feeling that if [they] talk about it, no one will really get it. They’ll just tell [the affected person] to get over it or it’s all in [their] head. Unfortunately there’s a lot of stigma around mental health conditions including depression,” Bradford said, encouraging people and students in need to reach out.

The counseling department at Delta can not only make assessments, but can also offer counseling and help connect students to resources such as therapy on campus and/or within the community.

“All of the counselors at Delta College are masters trained counselors. We are not therapists, but we have a basic ability to do personal counseling,” Bradford said.

As for myself, I have been diagnosed with moderate to severe depression, chronic anxiety, and PTSD.

Whether you are someone that has been diagnosed, is seeking a diagnosis or have general grief; if you need help please reach out to someone.

The greatest lie my depression has ever told to me was; “I do not exist.” After all, how can anyone seek help for an injury that is completely fabricated?

For more information you can reach out to the counseling department at: (209) 954-5151

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of self harm or happens to be in crisis, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or dial 911.

At your darkest moment you are not alone, and neither am I.

Someone loves you even when you feel unloved. Be kind to yourself, and please take care.