Depression linked to start of college

STUDENTS who live alone are seven times more likely to get depressed than those who share accommodation either with a family or a group of friends.

A strong link between starting third-level education and depression emerged in a recent joint study involving national depression support group Aware and St Patrick's psychiatric hospital in Dublin.

Broadcaster Joe Duffy, who launched Depression Awareness Week, said while public figures confess illnesses like alcoholism, depression was a silent disease.