Solving the Depression Epidemic

Gracyn Covey

English 1302

Professor Hammett

Argument Proposal

Word Count: 1334

 

Social Epidemics and Depression

          Imagine a world where life and people move past steadily, but you are frozen in time. This is what life is like for people who struggle with depression every day, especially adolescents. “It is estimated that 50% of all mental disorders are established by the age of 14 and 75% by the age of 18” (Keles et al.). Now, the social epidemic of depression in young adults has become more of an issue than ever, as cases continue to climb. Cases of anxiety and depression have increased by 70% in the past few decades, being more prevalent in teenagers (1). The depression epidemic cannot completely be solved, just as how depression cannot be fully cured. However, there are ways of treating depression that can have major effects on the epidemic as a whole. 

          Social media can provide a network of people to communicate with or vent about personal issues, becoming a valuable solution to help treat depression. A major benefit of social media is that it allows people to “strengthen bonds with existing friends and to form new friendships online, which reduce social isolation and loneliness, and indirectly improve mental health” (Keles et al.). Social media allows users to find other people with similar interests and mindsets. Users who have depression can connect with each other and share their experiences, advice, as well as valuable coping mechanisms. On the other hand, social media can be considered a double-edged sword, “Due to their limited capacity for self-regulation and their vulnerability to peer pressure, adolescents may not evade the potentially adverse effects of social media use, and consequently, they are at greater risk of developing mental disorder” (1). The increase in popularity of social media means an increase in who can view a user's posts. Sharing pictures on the internet often leads to a phenomenon where “people tend to compare themselves to others to assess their opinion and abilities” (1). The use of filters as an artificial enhancement furthers this need to look better or to impress a certain group of people, and this mindset can lead to poor mental health. In order to keep social media use productive and healthy, it is important to make use of apps provided features to filter out unwanted users and content. This can prevent unhealthy trends and images from entering a user's page. When used properly, social media can be a valuable tool to educate and connect with other like-minded individuals, thus leading to improvements in mental health. 

          Reconnecting with family and friends after the pandemic can help individuals with depression to become more comfortable in public spaces. The pandemic has caused many adolescents to be disconnected from family members and friends, causing them to become more socially isolated. Miranda states that “Adolescents left alone during workdays were more likely to show depression and anxiety” (Miranda et al.). Meeting up with friends and trusted family members is a good way to decompress and be more accustomed to spending time with others rather than social isolation. In many cases, having a supportive family can be protective against mental distress (1). However, not every home is a safe space for adolescents as “Some argued that the in-home scenario produced by the pandemic could erupt to those abuses” (1). This is a crucial reason why it is important for teenagers, especially those who struggle with depression, to connect with their friends now more than ever. Participating in activities with people one knows and cares about is a valuable solution to increasing mood and decreasing symptoms of depression. 

An important solution regarding depression in adolescents is improving school counseling. As teenagers grow older, their school workload both increases in quantity and difficulty. This often leads to stress and anxiety, a feeling that for some individuals is new and frightening. School counselors can help prevent depression before it happens by “considering anxiety symptoms as a potential warning sign for depression” (Khesht-Masjedi). School counselors are vital when it comes to students' mental health, especially for students who do not have a safe space at home. However, an important option to consider is whether a school psychiatrist would be more effective. Having psychiatrists who are educated in helping students cope with mental health, as well as an openness to help anyone regardless of gender identity or preferences will lead to more students becoming comfortable discussing their problems. However, this can lead to problems with school funding, especially in rural schools. Thus it is even more important for current school counselors to step up in place of psychiatrists and provide help for students in need. 

           The last important solution is getting rid of the stigmas surrounding depression. Doctor Han states that “Attribution theory claims that people who are stigmatized experience more negative emotional and behavioral reactions from others when they are thought to be responsible for their problems” (Han et al.). Individuals who have come forward about their depression and receive backlash based upon stigmas around depression can feel like their struggles hold no validity, leaving a toll on their mental health. Stigma about depression reduces struggling individuals' willingness to seek help from mental-health professionals (1). Depression can look very different for many types of people, and not every person fits a “general” description of the illness. If one person were to categorize it as their own personal experience, others who have different experiences may feel as if their situation is not as valid as others, causing them to not seek help. Saying that people with depression cannot live a “normal” life is just one example of a stigma that dehumanizes people who struggle daily with depression. Stigmas are incredibly harmful, however, the question of whether or not they can fully be eradicated has not shown promising results. Doctor Han proves this when stating, “One study showed that for people living in western Germany, the greater the extent there was to attribute depression to biological causes and heredity, the greater the social distance was” (1). While it is still unclear if it can fully disappear, its effects can be decreased. Educating the public is an effective solution to decrease stigma (1). Making depression more commonly known by using facts rather than beliefs is one step to take. Another step to take would be making public forums online discussing depression, allowing users to share their experiences with those who do not suffer from depression. Increasing awareness of depression and its stigmas will help those who experience the symptoms of depression feel more valid in their experiences and lead them to seek help from professionals. 

          Depression is a terrifying mental illness that left untreated can take lives. Depression can have a major impact on adolescents' lives, including “lower educational attainment, school dropout, impaired social relationships, and increased risk of substance abuse, mental health problems and suicide” (Keles et al.). While depression cannot be cured, people can be saved. These solutions can help in reducing the negativity around discussing depression, as well as give teenagers and young adults a chance at life they otherwise would not have.