Lone Star College-Montgomery's Human Services Student Organization, Psych Club, and the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) will host an informational seminar about understanding depressive and bipolar related disorders on the LSC-Montgomery campus on Tuesday, September 16, in building G, room 102. |
Robin Williams, Lone Star College-Montgomery’s Human Services Student Organization and the Psych Club feel there’s an urge for more awareness about depression and mood disorders. In conjunction with the Depression Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA), they will host a free informational lecture on understanding depressive and bipolar related disorders on Tuesday, September 16, from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the LSC-Montgomery campus (building G, room 102).
Glen Killian, professor and program director of human services at LSC-Montgomery, feels it is a timely topic with there still being so much talk and interest in the media surrounding Williams’ death.
“I think mental illness and mental health issues are very common, but also very misunderstood,” Killian said. “There’s a lot of negative beliefs and stigma toward people with mental health problems, despite the fact that they’re so common.”
It’s likely that a large number of people suffering from depression do so in silence because it carries so much social negativity. In order to decrease the number of suicides related to mental health, education of mental health disorders is imperative.
Megan Gust, program manager with the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA), will speak on the signs and symptoms of depression. Gust will be on hand to answer any questions about mental health struggles and their connection to suicide.
Support groups are just as vital to those suffering from depression and bipolar disorders, as seeking the right treatment. DBSA is a national organization formed to provide free and confidential support groups for individuals living with, or have family and friends affected by, depression and bipolar disorders, and works to educate the public about depression and bipolar disorders.
DBSA offers free support groups led by trained, dedicated and passionate facilitators; and they provide a compassionate environment consisting of peers who accept and understand each other.
“There are so many myths about mental health issues. It is always good to raise awareness and educate people about the issues,” Killian says. “Any time that we can give them accurate information to be an advocate, it is important.”
For more information about DBSA, visit www.dbsahouston.org. For more information about LSC-Montgomery’s Human Services Student Organization, visit www.LoneStar.edu/human-services-dept.
LSC-Montgomery is located at 3200 College Park Drive, one-half mile west of Interstate 45, between Conroe and The Woodlands. For more information about the college, call (936) 273-7000, or visit www.LoneStar.edu/montgomery.
Lone Star College System has been opening doors to a better community for more than 40 years. Founded in 1973, LSCS remains steadfast in its commitment to student success and credential completion. Today, with 78,000 students in credit classes, and a total enrollment of more than 90,000, Lone Star College System is the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area and one of the fastest-growing community college systems in the nation. Dr. Steve Head is the chancellor of LSCS, which consists of six colleges including LSC-CyFair, LSC-Kingwood, LSC-Montgomery, LSC-North Harris, LSC-Tomball and LSC-University Park, seven centers, LSC-University Center at Montgomery, LSC-University Center at University Park, Lone Star Corporate College, and LSC-Online. To learn more visit LoneStar.edu.