Case study
Second-year student A (21) has fallen behind. She has to take resits from the first year and she is enrolled in second-year subjects. A attends irregularly. She is often not there in the mornings, and sometimes she misses whole days. A looks tired and emotionally flat. She gives the impression that she is not doing well. In a conversation with her supervisor, A explains that she has been diagnosed with depression by the mental health service.
What do we understand by depression?
Everyone has good days and bad days. Temporary gloominess occurs after a negative life event. If the gloom lasts for a long time, or is unusually intense, it may be depression.
Daily functioning is then affected by a persistent irritable and/or gloomy mood. This may be accompanied by thoughts of death, no/less enjoyment of things. Other symptoms may include eating problems, sleep problems, fatigue and difficulty concentrating.
Extra information
Depression (depressive disorder) can only be diagnosed by the general practitioner, a psychologist or psychiatrist. Depression takes different forms. The degree of severity can vary from mild, to moderate-serious or severe depression. The course can also vary. The counsellor or GP is always the first point of contact for the student with a treatment question.
Counsellors may focus on activation and sometimes lifestyle advice, should that come up. After all, a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise, good sleep and sufficient relaxation has a beneficial effect on the course of depression. The same goes for balanced diet and avoiding alcohol, drugs and smoking.
DOs! Tips for counselors
Provide a listening ear
Help with depression can vary from person to person. As a counsellor, first of all, offer a listening ear. You don’t have to give advice. Thinking along about what can help the student in daily life and studies does help. For instance, ask questions about the help the student receives from a practitioner. It is important to link up with the student’s treatment plan. Of course, the student decides what to say about this.
Help to keep appointments
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As a supervisor, you encourage the student to put agreements into practice. You can do this in the following way:
- Discuss how the student can be helped within the study.
- What extra help can be offered to the student in learning.
- Find out what the student needs from school in order to attend classes as much as possible.
- Discuss what (temporary) adjustments are desirable and possible.
- Advising to make an appointment with the dean may be appropriate.
- Make it clear that you are there for support, but always refer back to expert help.
- Promote social interaction.
- For students with severe mental health problems, contact with school can be an important anchor during a difficult time.
Follow-up case study
The counsellor regularly schedules meetings with A. The student can request additional hours of counselling from the dean. Student and supervisor agree that their conversations focus on study progress and support. The supervisor expresses positive expectations and compliments A for what does succeed. Small steps are important for achieving success experiences. Being present can be a goal in itself. Then come next steps.
How can the tutor help student A move forward?
DO! Encouraging a healthy rhythm
The supervisor encourages the student to get into a healthy rhythm. To do this, they make a schedule together. A alternates time blocks of studying with relaxation and exercise. Every day, A goes for a walk: exercise despite fatigue often leads to more energy.
DO! Creating a study plan
Counsellor and A make a plan together about participation in study activities. The supervisor encourages her to come to classes. They also agree on their communication. For example, the supervisor may suggest appending or emailing a reminder to help the student attend.
Extra information for students:
- Extra support for the HU student: point the student to the site HU Helps. He can follow an online module (E-health) and participate in course offerings or a support group of the SSC. For mild gloom, the student can be referred to the Student Psychologist through the dean, for more severe depression you advise him to go to his GP or treatment provider.
- Gripopjedip.nl. For young people 16-25 years old
Extra information for teachers:
- For inspiration for teachers: Happylessons MBO; Arkin Prevention
Sources consulted:
- ‘Quality standards for mental health care,’ ggzstandaarden.nl
- Stikkelbroek, Y., Bodden, D., & Bouwman, H., D(o)epression course, Protocol treatments (2018)
- Lieshout, T. van & Deth, R. van, Pedagogical advice for special children, a practical handbook for professional educators, counselors and teachers (2018)