"There has been a sharp rise in depression over the past century. It is not unique to college students."
Is it actually a sharp increase in the problem, or are we simply realizing (and focusing on) something that has been there all along?
I am not qualified to give you an authoritative answer to that very important question. But FWIW, from my reading, what I can tell you is that the people who study this issue believe it is some of both. They do not seem to believe that all of the increase can be explained by doctors being better trained at diagnosing depression.