You asked:

My roommate seems kind of down in the dumps, and I don’t know how to deal with it. Is there anything I can do for him?

Well, asking him what's up might be a big help -- sometimes people just need to vent. If you two aren’t really close, casually ask if he’s been feeling OK, and maybe he’ll open up to you. A lot of people get a little sad sometimes, and it will usually pass. And maybe this sounds lame, but sometimes just bringing somebody a cookie from the cafeteria or inviting him out could help improve his mood.

If you’ve noticed drastic differences in your roommate’s behavior (not eating, or sleeping too little or too much), this is probably more than you can handle as he could be suffering from clinical depression or some other mental health disorder. In that case, you should talk to an R.A. about your concerns. Most college campuses offer counseling services, so an R.A. can help your roommate find the services he needs. But know this: You can offer to be supportive to your roommate, but you can’t force him to get help if he doesn’t want it. In the meantime, be kind.

Name: Liz Cruger
School: College of William and Mary
Year: Senior
Major: Psychology and English lit
Her deal: This is Liz’s second year as an R.A. for freshmen. She is also involved in several campus activities, including pep band and the belly dance club.

TALK IT UP

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