When one thinks of an illness, most individuals picture a visible decline in one’s physical health. Individuals picture a person coughing, sneezing, or vomiting; however, not all illnesses are outwardly shown. Depression is a mental illness. Mental illnesses are not illnesses that can be seen just by glancing at an individual; nonetheless, they are just as harmful and detrimental as physical ailments. According to Healthy People 2020, depression is one of the most common forms of mental illness (Reeves et al 2011). Depression affects individuals of all ages, but it is especially prominent in college students. Research has also shown that approximately 1 in 12 adults have experienced depression or depressive symptoms within a 12 month period …show more content…
Depression has been identified as the leading cause of disability and the second leading cause of burden (Whisman 2015). The result of depression can lead to deteriorated relationships, poor academic outcomes, and low outlook on life. Likewise, depression has been shown to increase the likelihood of chronic diseases in an individual. Depression increases one’s probability of diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, asthma, and obesity (Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion 2017). Depression can also have a more serious ramification. This illness does not cause death, however, untreated this illness can lead to suicide. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States (Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion 2017) and the 3rd leading cause of death in individuals aged 15-24 (Smith 2015). Suicide can occur as a result of many different situations, but negative mental health is a common precursor. It was found that approximately 1,110 college students commit suicide per year (Smith 2015). This alarming statistic solidifies college students’ need for help. Like other mental illnesses, depression can be a life-long battle. Depression, along with other chronic illnesses, is expensive. This illness not only creates emotional detriment, but also enables economic hardship as well. According to Healthy People 2020, depression causes “psychosocial and economic costs-not only for people living with the disorder, but also for their families, schools, workplaces, and communities” (Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
“Mental health is defined as a state of wellbeing in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community” (Mayoclinic, 2012)
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has published a fact sheet of statistics on suicide in the United States. In 2007, it is reported that suicide was the tenth leading cause of death. Furthermore, for every suicide committed, eleven were attempted. A total of 34,598 deaths occurred from suicide with an overall rate of 11.3 suicide deaths per 100,000 people. (NIMH, 2010). Risk factors were also noted on this report and listed “depression and other mental disorders, or a substance abuse disorder (often in combination with other mental disorders). More than ninety percent of people who die by suicide have these risk factors (NIMH, 2010).”
Polytech High School has experienced four deaths among students all within one month in the year of 2012. The most recent death was a 17-year-old male on February 15, 2012. This increase in suicides among this particular age group has generated many questions both from the community as well as researchers. According to WBOC, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has stepped in to get a better understanding of why there has been increase of suicides and why the increase in this particular age group. A common factor among all four fatal cases were that all four individuals suffered from depression, with strong implications that the depression may have went unaddressed and untreated (Crosby et al., 2013).
“Recent data estimate the overall prevalence of depression at about 11.1% of the American population, or nearly 35 million individuals (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011). A predictive models suggest that up to 50% of the population will experience at least one episode of depression during their lives” (Life Extension, 2014). Depression has negatively affected the lives of many individuals throughout the world. Look around you there may even be someone close to you that is demonstrating signs of its stifling affects. Depression does not discriminate with its suffocating
Mental illness is a popular ill among all ages of people, it can happen in kids, adult or in senior. In fact, 20% of Canadians will personally experience in their lifetime (Canada Mental Health Association, n.d.). But all among of those mental illness we’re going to talk about depression. Depression is an extremely complex disease and it can be really bad especially for people who are expected to focus during class, be confident and social outside of school, and successfully plan their futures, depression it can be devastating for these people. Even mental experts have a belief that’s teens suffering from untreated depression are up to 12 times more likely to commit suicide (Marsico, 2012, p16). The main purpose of making this report is to
Depression is a growing problem in today’s modern society. In the United States sixteen million adults currently suffer from clinical depression. This leads to over thirty thousand suicides, and five hundred thousand suicide attempts amongst Americans every year. Even people in a “perfect” world can not escape this reality. Bernard from Brave New World suffers bouts of depression often. Depression is a growing issue that is not always recognized for its severity, nor treated with the attention it requires, which only results in the worsening of the issue. Despite the lack of attention, depression is one of the nation’s leading causes of disability. It is an easily treatable mental health disorder, and with rising general knowledge and awareness
Depression and suicidality are significant problems on college campuses across the United States (Garlow, Rosenberg, Moore, Haas, Koestner, Hendin, & Nemeroff, 2007; Silverman, Meyer, Sloane, Raffel, & Pratt, 1997). According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), suicide is the second leading cause of death on college campuses (National Alliance on Mental Illness [NAMI], 2012). In all, over 1,000 college students die at their own hands each year (Suicide Prevention Resource Center, 2004), and 15% of college students surveyed by the National Research Consortium of Counseling Centers in Higher Education report having considered suicide (American Psychological Association [APA], 2008). In fact, the number of college students experiencing
Suicide is the third leading cause of death among 10-24 year olds in the United States (Kim, Dickstein). Every year there are thousands of teens dying, not from cancer, getting shot, or car accident, but by their own hands. Teens make the choice of committing suicide. Researchers reported that the number of teen suicides are rapidly growing each year. Whether people realize it or not, this is a huge problem and people need to acknowledge this situation. This problem can be prevented, just like any other problem in our world. Last year, there was this guy who committed suicide days before his graduation, but no one knew the justification behind his actions nor seen the signs. Locals would say many reasons why he did it, but only he knew why he did it. There are many causes to someone wanting to commit suicide. According to his mother, he was somewhat depressed, but continue to say that there was nothing wrong with him. Depression is the leading cause of someone wanting to committing suicide. Based on my research, I have come to the conclusion that depression is the main cause of suicide and experts agree with
“It’s more than just a bout of the blues, depression isn’t a weakness and you can’t simply ‘snap out of it’” (Mayo Clinic Staff 1). One of the most common mental disorders in the United States is Major Depression. It typically ends up with significant impairments that can interfere with one’s daily activities (“Major Depression” 1). Depression is a mental disorder that drastically can change the affected person’s outlook on life and how they handle the world around them. Depression rates have consistently increased worldwide, but, luckily, there are methods to help with the symptoms. This disorder has been made more well known over the years, leading to an increase in preventative measures.The following paper will discuss the rising rates,
It is hard to imagine that an individual could reach a point where no other options seem viable, yet suicide remains a relevant and pervasive issue in society. Suicide is a leading cause of premature and preventable death. In 2009, it was estimated that there were 100,000 years of potential life lost by Canadians under the age of 75 as a result of suicide (Navaneelan, T., et al., 2012). Suicide is particularly prevalent among two age groups: adolescents and the elderly. Research shows that mental illness is one of the most common characteristics of people who commit suicide in all ages, with more than 90% of suicides being committed by someone with a mental or addictive disorder. The mental illness most often at the root of suicide is depression, with approximately 60% suffering from this condition.
Depression is one of common mental disorders. World Health Organisation (WHO) (2015) has estimated that depression affects 350million people of all ages worldwide. Depression has been seen as the leading cause of disability and the overall global burden of disease. People who are suffering from depression experience a constant feeling of sadness or loss of interest and pleasure in doing things they used to enjoy for at least two weeks along with other possible symptoms such as insomnia, irritability, poor or increased appetite, weight gain or loss, loss of energy, feelings of worthlessness, difficulty concentrating, difficulty in making decisions, and recurrent thoughts of death or suicide (King, Davison, Neale & Johnson, 2007, p.231). In New Zealand, it has been estimated that one in six people experience serious depression at some time in their life. Depression has also been recognised as the most common risk factor for suicide behaviour (The Health Promotion Agency, n.d.). Globally, over 800 000 people commit suicide and die every year (WHO, 2015).
Depression is the world’s most common mental illness that has affected an estimated 16 million adults alone in the United States in the past year. Depression is an illness that affects and targets your mind, body and spirit. However, this condition can be short lived depending on the individual and circumstances. Studies have been proven more than 235,000 people which amounts to 9% has met the criteria for clinical depression, also 3% were diagnosed with major depression in the past year. This mental illness affects both genders and all age groups and all social classes. Although it is more likely to have a greater effect on women, racial and ethnic minorities, those without a high school education, those divorced or never married, jobless, and those without health insurance. Women have a 70% higher rate than Men to experience depression, and young adults ages 18-25 are 60% much more likely to endure depression than someone who is 50 years or older. An estimated 8.2% of American teenagers, which amounts to 2 million teens have experienced a major depressive disorder within the last year. When diagnosed with major depressive disorder you endure sadness that insinuates feelings that tend to never end and endure an ongoing feeling of utter helplessness. It is a recurring illness that’s lifetime prevalence is approximately 16% in the United States .Wellness can be defined as a particular lifestyle where the individual focuses and is responsible for their physical,
More people suffer from depression than you might think. People of all ages, backgrounds, lifestyles, and nationalities get clinical depression. An estimated 35 to 40 million Americas living today will suffer from major depression at some time during their lives. (4) This is about 13 to 20 percent of all Americans. (1) About half of these individuals will experience recurring depression. (3) Despite being what authorities call "the nation's leading mental health problem" (6), depression is often misdiagnosed or undiagnosed, and therefore not treated. (4) Often as a result, about 25 percent of these people attempt suicide to end their
One of the scariest emotional experiences a person can ever suffer during their lifetime is to experience a form of depression. Over one in five Americans can expect to get some form of depression in their lifetime. Over one in twenty Americans have a depressive disorder every year. Depression is one of the most common and most serious mental health problems facing people today. However, depression is often not taken seriously because of the large use of antidepressant drugs and the large number of sufferers. Depression is a serious illness and should be taken as so. Contrary to the popular misconceptions about depression today, it is a serious and deadly disorder.1
Depression is the most common of all psychological disorders, affecting 100 million people worldwide. The depression ranges from mild feelings of uneasiness, sadness, and apathy to intense suicidal despair. (Kasschau) If left untreated, it could lead the