Psychotherapy and anti-depressant medicationsare generally used to treat depression, withcombination treatment strongly recommended forpeople suffering from major or manic depression.

Catlin says UHS does prescribe antidepressantssuch as Zoloft, Prozac and Paxil when they aredeemed necessary by consulting psychiatrists.

Though the drugs are non-addictive, sideeffects do exist.

The clinically depressed sophomore said shesuffered from nausea and headaches the first weekshe took Zoloft and still feels a loss of appetitefrom the medication.

Anti-depressants may also cause insomnia,stomach problems and decreased sexual desire. ButRothschild points out that only about five percentof people experience sideeffects, which usuallycease after a few weeks.

For those suffering from mild forms ofdepression, psychotherapy and medication can beequally effective. And Schildkraut says that incertain discrete episodes of depression,medication alone can be effective.

Mental health experts strongly advise therapyin addition to medication for more severe cases ofmajor or manic depression.

"Drugs are helpful but it's also important fora person to feel supported during depression,"Hooley says. "Drugs won't help you get your lifeback on track."

Resources at Harvard

The three main Harvard resources for depressedstudents are UHS, the Bureau of Study Council andRoom 13.

Students who make appointments at UHS canchoose to see a male or female psychiatrist,psychologist or psychiatric social worker. Forthose who cannot wait to schedule an appointment,UHS runs three one-hour urgent care periods daily(please see graphic below).

The Bureau of Study Counsel possesses fewerclinicians than UHS and cannot prescribemedication, but its staff can administerpsychotherapy in a less medical environment.

Students can also talk to a peer counselor atRoom 13, a student-run group located in thebasement of Gray's Hall.

"We do a lot of listening," says a Room 13staffer who did not wish to be identified. "We tryto help someone understand what they're feelingand that it's okay."

But not everyone is satisfied with Harvard'sresources.