Condoms are cheap, visible, and a way for healthy living. Right? Maybe not, according to a new study which suggests some students should discontinue their condom use for the sake of their mental health.

This study of sexually active women at the State University of New York at Albany suggests that women who engage in sex without condoms are less depressed and have lower suicide rates than the women who use them.

The results of the study surprised Stephanie Habif, a health educator in WU’s Office of Health Promotion and Wellness.

“Purposely going without condoms is not a big trend here yet,” said Habif, who urged students to “review with a careful eye any studies claiming to link mental health and safer sex.”

Habif noted that sexually transmitted diseases at WU are neither rampant nor scarce; statistics place WU solidly in line with other universities. However, she cautioned students to avoid the risk of “going without condoms just because of what this study says.”

Habif said that, while the study shows a correlation between condom use and mental health, it does not show that one causes the other. Instead, personality may be the true variable.

“Women who regularly engage in sex without condoms are more likely to be natural risk-takers, and if someone has an exuberant, risk-taking personality, they are probably less likely to be depressed,” she said.

Of the sexually active female students surveyed at WU, many agreed that, despite the results of the SUNY study, they would continue to use condoms.

One student, who declined to give her name, doubted the results of the study.

“I’m sorry, but this study isn’t going to make me stop using condoms,” she said. “I don’t care what they say about it relieving depression; I’d rather have protection than risk getting pregnant.”

“Risking pregnancy just because some study tells me that I’ll be less depressed just isn’t practical,” said another student. “Yeah, most people will agree that sex without condoms is more fun, but I don’t think it’s a good idea to make it a habit. You have to protect yourself.”

These students, and most others, know that condoms are available in abundance around campus, especially at WU’s Student Health Services, where they are offered in strategically-placed bowls throughout the waiting room. In case the walk to main campus is too far, some resident advisors keep a small supply of condoms in their hallways.

Senior Laura Mendiola, an RA in Lien Residence Hall, has witnessed the condom craze first-hand.

“Once a kid came knocking on my door in the middle of the night, asking for a condom,” said Mendiola, who now keeps an open container of condoms outside her door. “In past years, I didn’t keep a public supply of condoms because I feel that the kids should be responsible enough to go get their own, but I decided that I might as well make the protection available to them.”

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