This study explores the relationship between depression self-labeling and coping strategies in U.S. college students. It finds that approximately 22.2% of students self-labeled as having depression, while 39.0% met diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder (MDD). After controlling for depression symptom severity, self-labeling was associated with lower perceived control over depression, more maladaptive coping strategies (e.g., catastrophizing, rumination), and more positive help-seeking attitudes toward medication, but not therapy. The study highlights the potential for both positive and negative effects of self-labeling on mental health outcomes. The research is based on a cross-sectional survey of 1,423 U.S. college students. Participants were asked whether they currently had depression, and their depression symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-8 (PHQ-8). Perceived control over depression was measured using a combination of items from the Implicit Theories of Depression Scale and the Prognostic Pessimism and Blame Scale. Cognitive emotion regulation strategies were assessed using the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, and help-seeking attitudes were measured using the Mental Help Seeking Attitudes Scale. The study found that self-labeling was associated with lower perceived control over depression, more maladaptive emotion regulation strategies, and more positive attitudes toward medication. However, self-labeling was not associated with help-seeking attitudes toward therapy. The study also found that younger college students, as well as Asian non-Hispanic and Hispanic students, were less likely to self-label as having depression, even after controlling for depression symptom severity. The findings suggest that self-labeling may influence how individuals cope with emotional distress, with potential positive and negative effects on mental health outcomes. The study supports the idea that self-labeling can be associated with mechanisms that prolong and worsen mental illness episodes. However, the study is cross-sectional and does not establish causality. The results may not generalize to non-college populations. The study also highlights the importance of considering cultural factors in self-labeling and coping strategies. Future research should explore the role of self-labeling in mental illness self-management and its impact on coping strategies. The study underscores the need for compassionate and respectful research on self-labeling, as well as the importance of understanding the complex relationship between self-labeling and mental health outcomes.This study explores the relationship between depression self-labeling and coping strategies in U.S. college students. It finds that approximately 22.2% of students self-labeled as having depression, while 39.0% met diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder (MDD). After controlling for depression symptom severity, self-labeling was associated with lower perceived control over depression, more maladaptive coping strategies (e.g., catastrophizing, rumination), and more positive help-seeking attitudes toward medication, but not therapy. The study highlights the potential for both positive and negative effects of self-labeling on mental health outcomes. The research is based on a cross-sectional survey of 1,423 U.S. college students. Participants were asked whether they currently had depression, and their depression symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-8 (PHQ-8). Perceived control over depression was measured using a combination of items from the Implicit Theories of Depression Scale and the Prognostic Pessimism and Blame Scale. Cognitive emotion regulation strategies were assessed using the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, and help-seeking attitudes were measured using the Mental Help Seeking Attitudes Scale. The study found that self-labeling was associated with lower perceived control over depression, more maladaptive emotion regulation strategies, and more positive attitudes toward medication. However, self-labeling was not associated with help-seeking attitudes toward therapy. The study also found that younger college students, as well as Asian non-Hispanic and Hispanic students, were less likely to self-label as having depression, even after controlling for depression symptom severity. The findings suggest that self-labeling may influence how individuals cope with emotional distress, with potential positive and negative effects on mental health outcomes. The study supports the idea that self-labeling can be associated with mechanisms that prolong and worsen mental illness episodes. However, the study is cross-sectional and does not establish causality. The results may not generalize to non-college populations. The study also highlights the importance of considering cultural factors in self-labeling and coping strategies. Future research should explore the role of self-labeling in mental illness self-management and its impact on coping strategies. The study underscores the need for compassionate and respectful research on self-labeling, as well as the importance of understanding the complex relationship between self-labeling and mental health outcomes.