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Depression in College: My Hallmate Maya's Story (and What We Can All Learn)

  • Writer: Carlie Malott | Crisis Counselor | Guest Writer
    Carlie Malott | Crisis Counselor | Guest Writer
  • Mar 7
The Night Owl’s Dilemma: How I Finally Made Peace with Sleep in College

Ever since my hallmate, Maya, started her freshman year at college, I could tell something was up. At first, I thought she was just tired from all the late-night study sessions. But as the weeks went on, she stayed in her bed a lot, skipped meals, and hardly left our dorm. She told me she felt like she was “sinking in quicksand,” and that’s when I realized she was dealing with something way more serious than stress or a bad mood - she was battling depression.


A Peek into Our Dorm Life


Living near Maya made me see the raw side of mental health struggles. She’d stay awake all night, then sleep through most of the day. When she did get up, she’d often say she didn’t feel “worthy” to hang out with others or join group projects. Watching her beat herself up like that broke my heart. I tried to be there for her with little things: bringing her tea, inviting her to watch silly reality TV, or suggesting short walks around campus. Sometimes she’d smile and come along. Other times, she’d just shake her head and say she was too tired.


Why College Feels So Overwhelming


I always wondered why depression can feel so much heavier in college. I’ve heard counselors say it’s because our schedules are crazy, and there’s a ton of pressure to figure out our futures - like, who even knows what they want to do with their life at 19? We also have social media making everything look perfect, which can make real life seem super disappointing. Maya told me she felt like everyone around her was “crushing it” while she was struggling to get through a single day.



On top of that, many students juggle part-time jobs or internships while also taking challenging classes. There’s barely any time to step back and breathe. Dorm rooms become mini-offices, and we end up doing homework on top of laundry or skipping meals to finish group projects.


That hustle culture can totally mess with our heads.


Therapeutic Techniques that Help


I’m not an expert, but after watching Maya explore different therapy options, I’ve learned a few cool methods. I even tried some of these techniques myself because, let’s be real, college can make us all a little anxious.


1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Maya started talking to a campus counselor who introduced her to CBT. It basically teaches you to catch the negative thoughts in your head and replace them with more realistic ones. She said it was like “rewiring a bad signal” in her brain.


2. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): DBT focuses on coping strategies - especially for super intense emotions. Maya learned skills like mindfulness, distress tolerance, and emotion regulation, which helped her stay calm when she felt an emotional storm brewing.


3. Guided Imagery and Meditation: Our gym hosted a weekly relaxation circle. We’d lie on yoga mats, close our eyes, and imagine peaceful places - like a beach at sunrise or a quiet forest trail. It sounded cheesy at first, but just 15 minutes of calm made a huge difference in our stress levels.


New Innovations in Therapy


There are also some techy ways people are getting support:


● Teletherapy & Apps: With busy schedules, sometimes it’s impossible to visit an in-person therapist. Maya used an online counseling service through our university. There are also apps with guided breathing exercises, CBT journaling prompts, or mood trackers - pretty cool for managing mental health on the go.


● Campus Wellness Hubs: Our school just launched something called a “Wellness Studio,” where students can try light therapy for seasonal depression or use VR headsets for guided meditation. Maya said sitting in front of a bright light on cloudy days helped boost her mood.


Mental Health in the Workplace (Yes, Even for Internships!)


We also realized that mental health matters beyond campus. A lot of us are doing internships or part-time jobs. Stress doesn’t magically stop when you’re off campus; it can follow you to your workplace. Maya had a meltdown during her internship because she was scared of messing up.


She started talking openly with her supervisor (which felt huge because it’s scary to be vulnerable), and the supervisor was really understanding - letting her take short mental health breaks during the day. This taught me that workplaces are slowly becoming more aware of the importance of mental well-being.


Stories of Healing and Hope


While depression is tough, I’ve seen hope in Maya’s journey. She says she still feels sad sometimes, but she’s learned to spot the warning signs - like wanting to isolate for days - and reach out for help sooner. Our dorm is far from perfect, but we’re learning to watch out for each other. If we see someone missing from the dining hall for too long, we’ll knock on their door or send a friendly text.


Other students shared how group therapy sessions, supportive professors, or even a campus dog therapy event helped them find moments of relief. Everyone’s story is different, but one thing’s the same: nobody has to go through it alone.



A Final Word: You’re Not Alone


If you’re reading this and feeling like you’re drowning in your own thoughts, please remember that there’s always someone ready to listen. Whether it’s a friend, a professor, a therapist, or even a roommate who brings you random cups of tea - people do care.


College is hard, yes, but it’s also a place where you can discover the right support for your mental health.


If Maya can push through the dark days and find a path to feeling stronger, maybe you can, too. Don’t be afraid to reach out, explore new therapeutic techniques, or just ask for a hug when you need it. Your mental well-being matters, and there are so many resources out there waiting to help you find your way.

Carlie Malott

Carlie Malott

Crisis Counselor | Guest Writer of Moody Melon Magazine

I’m a junior at Colorado College studying Psychology and Education. Passionate about mental health, I believe normalizing conversations about struggles fosters belonging and hope—values I strive to integrate into all my work.



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From the Depths of Darkness to the Light of Hope: Allison's Journey of Overcoming Postpartum Depression

  • Writer: Julie Barris | Crisis Counselor | Therapist-in-Training
    Julie Barris | Crisis Counselor | Therapist-in-Training
  • Mar 5

Note: This content is fictional and created with the intention to inspire, uplift, and support you on your mental health journey. If it feels discouraging, please feel free to disregard it—your well-being is always the priority.

From the Depths of Darkness to the Light of Hope: Allison's Journey of Overcoming Postpartum Depression

When Allison first became a mother, she envisioned a world filled with joy, laughter, and cherished moments with her newborn daughter. But as the days turned into weeks, a shadow slowly began to creep into her life—a feeling of overwhelming sadness and isolation she couldn’t explain. The once-promising journey into motherhood was now clouded by an invisible weight, one that no one could truly see but her. Allison was struggling with postpartum depression.


The Unseen Battle


Postpartum depression (PPD) is often misunderstood. It’s more than just feeling "down" or "sad" after childbirth; it’s a complex and crippling condition that can affect new mothers physically, emotionally, and mentally. For Allison, the symptoms crept in slowly—first as extreme fatigue, then as a constant sense of dread, and eventually, a feeling of disconnection from her newborn daughter.


“I felt like I was failing as a mother,” Allison admits. “I thought that the love I was supposed to feel for my baby should come naturally, but instead, I felt empty and overwhelmed. I couldn’t understand why it was so hard, and that only made me feel more ashamed of myself.”


But postpartum depression didn't just impact Allison's relationship with her baby—it also began to strain her marriage with her husband, Mark. As she sank deeper into her depression, Allison found herself withdrawing not just emotionally, but physically. The intimacy they once shared was replaced with distance. Conversations, once filled with shared dreams and excitement, became strained, and every small issue felt like an insurmountable mountain.


“I couldn’t be the partner Mark needed me to be,” Allison reflects. “I wasn’t present. I was caught in my own head, battling feelings of inadequacy. I felt like I was failing him, too.”

Mark, too, felt the shift. As someone who had always been supportive and understanding, he struggled to navigate the change. He tried to be there for Allison, but he didn’t know how to reach her through the fog of depression. At times, he felt helpless and frustrated. The tension in their relationship grew, making both of them feel more isolated in a time when they should have been leaning on each other.


Seeking Help and Breaking the Silence


Seeking help wasn’t easy for Allison, but it was essential. She began therapy with a counselor who specialized in postpartum mental health. She also sought support from her doctor and was prescribed medication to help stabilize her mood.


“Therapy was where I could finally voice all the things I was feeling but couldn’t say aloud. I didn’t even know how much I needed to talk until I was in that space,” Allison reflects. “It was like releasing a pressure that had built up over months.”


For their marriage, seeking help also meant attending counseling together. Mark didn’t fully understand what postpartum depression was, but through therapy, he learned how he could support Allison better—emotionally and practically. He began to realize that he wasn’t responsible for “fixing” her but that his role was simply to be present and compassionate as she navigated her healing process.


“The counseling helped me understand that postpartum depression was not something Allison could just snap out of—it wasn’t a choice,” Mark says. “We both had to be patient, not just with her recovery, but with each other. We were in this together.”


A Light at the End of the Tunnel


The path to recovery wasn’t linear. There were setbacks, days when she felt hopeless and unsure if she’d ever feel like herself again. But through therapy, medication, and an unwavering support system, Allison began to see glimpses of her old self, the person who was strong, resilient, and capable of navigating the complexities of motherhood—and marriage.


“The most profound moment in my recovery came when I was able to hold my baby in my arms and truly feel connected to her—not out of obligation, but out of real, unconditional love,” Allison recalls. “It was a powerful realization that I wasn’t broken. I was healing.”

Allison and Mark also began to rebuild their connection. They learned to communicate better, express their needs, and lean on each other without judgment. Their bond, once fractured by the strain of postpartum depression, became stronger as they both healed.


“Allison’s recovery taught us both the importance of being vulnerable and open,” Mark says. “It’s not easy, but I’ve learned that mental health struggles don’t have to break a marriage—they can strengthen it, if you’re willing to grow together.”



The Journey Continues


Today, Allison is not only a mother but a beacon of hope for others who might be struggling with postpartum depression. She understands that healing is an ongoing process, but one that is possible with the right support and tools. Her journey is a testament to the power of self-compassion, community, and the importance of taking mental health seriously.


Her marriage, too, has evolved into something deeper. The challenges they faced brought them closer, teaching them both how to navigate tough times with empathy, love, and understanding.


But the question remains: If we can support a mother through the joy of childbirth, why is it so difficult to support her through the unseen challenges of postpartum depression?


Is it time we break the stigma once and for all, not just for mothers, but for their marriages too?


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Living in the Gray: Jodie's Struggle with Loneliness and Borderline Personality Disorder

  • Writer: Julie Barris | Crisis Counselor | Therapist-in-Training
    Julie Barris | Crisis Counselor | Therapist-in-Training
  • Feb 19

Note: This content is fictional and created with the intention to inspire, uplift, and support you on your mental health journey. If it feels discouraging, please feel free to disregard it—your well-being is always the priority.

Breaking Free: Mindy's Brave Journey from Eating Disorder to Empowerment

Loneliness is something we all experience from time to time, but for people like Jodie, it’s not just an occasional feeling. It’s a constant, overwhelming force. Jodie, a 28-year-old woman, has struggled with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) for most of her adult life, and at the core of her experience is a profound sense of isolation.


For those unfamiliar with BPD, it’s a mental health condition marked by intense emotional experiences, difficulty managing relationships, and a fluctuating sense of self. These symptoms often make it hard to form and maintain stable relationships, which leads to feelings of abandonment, rejection, and loneliness. Jodie’s story is a poignant reflection of these struggles.



A Cycle of Hope and Heartbreak


When Jodie first meets someone, she feels an intense sense of connection—like they’re the answer to her deepest longing for intimacy and affection. But as soon as she starts to grow close to them, her fears of abandonment start to surface. She becomes overwhelmed by the thought of being left behind, of being unimportant. This fear triggers a flood of emotions—rage, sadness, desperation. And while her new relationship may start off strong, her intense emotions often drive others away, leaving Jodie feeling more isolated than ever.


It’s not that Jodie doesn’t want love or companionship—on the contrary, it’s all she craves. It’s the constant push and pull of intense feelings that keeps her in a cycle of connection and disconnection. She might push someone away because she fears they’ll abandon her, or she might cling to them too tightly because she fears being alone. Either way, her relationships often don’t survive the intense emotional waves, reinforcing the loneliness she so desperately wants to avoid.



The Shadow of Emotional Instability


Jodie’s loneliness isn’t just about a lack of social connection—it’s also about emotional instability. People with BPD often have intense emotional reactions that can seem disproportionate to the situation. Jodie’s emotional world is like a rollercoaster: one moment, she might feel on top of the world, but the next, she could spiral into deep sadness or anger. This emotional volatility often makes it difficult for others to understand her needs, leading to miscommunication and misunderstandings, further driving a wedge between her and potential support systems.


Her loneliness is often compounded by the feeling that no one truly understands her. Jodie finds herself caught between the desire to reach out for help and the fear that she’ll be judged or rejected. Her emotions are so intense that she worries others won’t be able to handle them. This leaves her feeling stuck, unable to bridge the gap between her internal experience and the external world.


The Road to Healing


While Jodie’s story is heart-wrenching, it’s also one of resilience. With the right treatment and support, it’s possible to manage BPD and find meaningful connections. Therapy, particularly dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), can help individuals with BPD develop skills to manage emotions, improve interpersonal relationships, and reduce the self-destructive behaviors that often accompany the disorder.


But healing is a slow process, and it takes time for people with BPD to learn how to trust themselves and others. For Jodie, it means gradually shifting from a place of fear and distrust to one of self-acceptance and openness. It also means learning that she doesn’t have to be perfect to deserve love or friendship—that imperfection is part of being human, and that vulnerability doesn’t always lead to rejection.


A Final Thought


Jodie’s story is just one example of how loneliness can take root in the lives of those with BPD. The journey from loneliness to connection isn’t easy, but it’s possible with the right help. As we continue to raise awareness about mental health, we must remember that the loneliness people experience—whether from BPD or another mental health condition—is not just an individual experience. It’s a collective issue, one that requires empathy, understanding, and support from all of us.


Are we willing to see the pain behind the loneliness, or will we continue to leave those who need us the most in the shadows?


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