By ANDREW GORDON
AGGIE STAFF WRITER
Feeling blue? Is there something nagging at you and you're not quite sure what it is? Or would you just like to get a certain something off your chest? If you suffer from an extreme case of the blahs, then a new student organization might just be your ticket to a brighter tomorrow.
Club Mood is designed to cater to the needs of students suffering from affective disorders, including manic depression, bipolar and unipolar disorders, and seasonal affective disorders.
According to one of the group's organizers, a UC Davis senior who refers to himself only as Paul, these disorders result from mental, medical and personal problems, and should be addressed in a support-group setting.
"Basically the purpose of the group is to do what people want to get out of it. The direction comes from people in the group," Paul said. "It allows people to come together in a safe and confidential environment, and talk to others who may be in a similar situation with affective disorders."
The group provides insight into services and information available to students, and gets feedback from people who have utilized such services, Paul said.
Club Mood came into being because of what Paul saw as a serious lack of support for people who suffer from these ailments. The only organization of its kind in Yolo County, Club Mood seeks to help people who feel isolated because of their affliction, and to help them come to terms with the situations they are facing.
With four successful meetings to date, the group seems to be moving toward what it set out to accomplish, Paul said.
While many people find it useful to talk to others about their problems, those discussions are often with people "who are not in the same shoes." By talking things out with people who have similar problems, there is a sharing of information and experiences that can benefit everyone involved, Paul said.
The organization is geared toward college students because such disorders often come about at this point in a person's life, Paul said.
"Students need every edge they can get. For quite a few people, they are afflicted in their early teens or late 20s," Paul said.
Problems arise from various causes ranging from genetic predisposition to day-to-day stress. A variety of situations can influence a person's affliction and the severity of their problem. These are lifelong problems that don't just go away, and, according to Paul, people need to learn how to cope.
By providing a safe and confidential atmosphere, Paul said he hopes that people who suffer from affective disorders will "come out of the closet"and confront their problems. By establishing an environment that promotes privacy and respect for others, members will hopefully be open with their concerns and be willing to discuss those concerns with their peers.
This group interaction is a step in the right direction, Paul said.
"It is important that people know when they join the group that their privacy, feelings and respect will still be there. Wherever people are at, they can gain something from the group," he said.
For more information, call Paul at 759-8731.