Theme 2 - Depression and Suicide - Impact and Elimination
Mental Health is important at all
stages of life, from childhood, to adulthood and even in old age. This aspect
of health is a vital part of overall well being and success in all parts of
life. Sadly, it is also one of the most ignored health concerns in public
welfare, as implied by the rising numbers of depressed teens and adolescent
suicide rates.
Adolescence is a crucial time where
an individual develops greater emotional and social awareness of the world
around him. It is a period of transition that requires more attention and care
in order to ensure that they have a stable life ahead of them. Young teens who
have embarked on a journey of self exploration and personality development are
more susceptible to losing their mental calm even over seemingly insignificant
events. Therefore, greater care has to be taken not just by peers and family
around them, but also by the community and the world to ensure a better
generation in the future.
COVID 19 and Mental Health
The nation has been hit by a tremendously dangerous health crisis for almost the past six months, forcing huge changes in the economy, education system, legislations, and so many other aspects. However, now, “the country is on the verge of another health crisis, with daily doses of death, isolation and fear generating widespread psychological trauma.” (Wan William, 2020) a fact proven by existing statistics :
“Nearly half of Americans report the coronavirus crisis is harming their mental health, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation poll. A federal emergency hotline for people in emotional distress registered a more than 1,000 percent increase in April compared with the same time last year. Last month, roughly 20,000 people texted that hotline, run by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.” (Washington Post, May 4 2020)
The number of patients affected by the coronavirus are on the rise but amidst all the concerns regarding the pandemic a large amount of ignorance has been bestowed on the mental health of people. The spread of this virus has incorporated unexpected changes in everyone’s lifestyle leading to a great imbalance of normal trends and norms of working and with this imbalance have come significant effects on people's mental calm.
Data from Mental Health America (2020) suggests that, “the per day number of depression screens was 394% higher in May than in January (and) these impacts on mental health are more pronounced in young people (<25): roughly 9 in 10 are screening with moderate-to-severe depression, and 8 in 10 are screening with moderate-to-severe anxiety. Special populations including LGBTQ, caregivers, students, veterans/active duty, and people with chronic health conditions, are experiencing high anxiety and depression.”
The pandemic has been a trying time for everyone and it has undoubtedly left its impact on our growing teens too. As schools and colleges move to remote operations, and greater regulations about social quarantine and isolation are put into place, the interaction between teens of the same age has greatly reduced. Initial adjustment was certainly difficult, but the extension of these regulations has only made matters worse.
Many teens may not have very positive environments at home and school, friends and other such activities are often a welcomed relief. For adolescents experiencing stressful family dynamics, this arrangement has made their life more difficult than ever. Even teens who have happy families have been impacted by this pandemic. Loss of work by both teens and their families and decline in economic situation also has its influence on a teen’s radically growing mind. Teens who have depended on money earned from their jobs but have lost work on account of the pandemic, may feel lost, overly dependent on their parents, and may lose their sense of self-reliance.Studies suggest that “sustained economic stress could be associated with higher US suicide rates in the future.” (Reger, Stanley and Joiner, 2020). In some families, certain members may have fallen ill or even died on account of the virus. Teenagers in this family have faced the loss of a loved one at a very tender age and this also may leave them with an unstable mind. Such shocks to their emotions and thoughts at this young age may have seemingly small impacts now, but it won’t take time for these shocks to settle into their adult lives.
Physical distancing has also deprived teens of the company of their friends and peers. Despite the existence of online classes and virtual school sessions, the physical acquaintance of their fellow mates is an experience that cannot be replaced. The positive influence peers can have and motivation that teenagers give to one another even by being together, has now been negatively replaced by loneliness and isolation - the number one cause of mental health issues as per data collected by Mental Health America (2020). A decrease in social interaction has increased screen time and the time spent by teens on social media platforms. Social media has long been associated with all kinds of symptoms of depression by past research and excessive time on these platforms is only enhancing their vulnerabilities to suicide and depression.
Social isolation has also been practiced to the extent that teens can’t meet their dying relatives affected by the virus. Religious and spiritual activities at places of worship as well as community gatherings in parks, clubhouses, parties, etc. have been almost banned. The lack of communication with society creates a negative influence on the budding minds of teenagers and is driving them more and more away from the social aspects of humanity. Many adolescents have also lost their chance to witness and experience important milestones of their school lives including field trips, Prom, High School Graduation, graduation parties, as well as end of the year activities and special celebrations. Many teens have looked forward to experiencing these events in their life and the permanent loss of such activities is also a rising concern affecting their mental wellbeing.
As the months of the pandemic pass by, more and more teens are becoming preys of anxiety, stress and fear and this is not having a good impact on their overall mental health. Many teens have also kindled a new-found fear about travel and sanitation regimens at every public place they visit due to the constant news flashes about the increasing number of patients everywhere. The circumstances are not just testing teen’s capacities to handle their emotions and remain mentally stable, but are also pushing them more and more towards the brink of the possibility of mental instability. The situation has undoubtedly led to an increase in the number of depressed teenagers and the number of teenagers considering suicide in America.
While the exact suicide rates due to COVID-19 epidemic are difficult to find; data from several sources suggests an increase in the number of adolescent accessing helplines for people considering suicide. During the pandemic, there has also been a significant increase in firearm sales - a very common method to use for suicidal attempts. (Vitelli Romeo, 2020). This is suggestive of the fact that a greater population is considering the act.
The circumstances facing today’s teens are only making them more vulnerable to suicide and depression. In addition to the trying times that are testing the growing youth, teens are unable to receive proper treatment. Many teens are hesitant to reach out help and even those seeking treatment experience longer wait times. Emergency departments are overcrowded on account of coronavirus cases and this leads to ignorance of victims of suicide. Mental health departments are experiencing a number of barriers that prevent the right treatment from reaching the individuals a need - a limitation that needs to be addressed.
Federal funding for mental health is also a big issue. Information from media and news suggests that mental health is not being made a priority ( Recently the Congress released $100 billion dollars to hospitals and medical care. However, most of it will not be received by mental health care faculties. (Wan William, 2020). The adolescent community has been facing a mental health crisis during this pandemic and yet little has been done to support this generation.
More attention is needed to prevent another health crisis, or another mental health epidemic is headed our way.
What is the solution?
Over the years, suicide rates all over the world have
decreased but the condition in United States has only worsened. According to
federal statistics, “in the United States, 1 in 5 adults endure the
consequences of mental illness each year. Yet less than half receive treatment
… part of the problem, experts say, is the markedly different way the United
States treats mental illness compared with physical illness.” (Wans William,
2020). There is a need to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health including
depression and suicide. If a person with diabetes can openly consult a doctor
to help treat his ailment, a person with bipolar should also be equally
respected when he/she reaches out to a psychiatrist/ psychologist for help.
This bias can be removed only through the spread of awareness about mental
health and through a greater number of discussions on the topic.
The Coronavirus Pandemic has led to implementation of social distancing rules. However, the need of the hour is physical distancing rather than a prevention of social interaction. Efforts should be made to allow adolescents to meet their friends and peers while following proper regulations of safety. Schools should incorporate hybrid models of education in order to ensure that teens receive their routine necessity of peer engagement, while following CDC guidelines to ensure their safety. Students can also be made aware of counselling services available at the school and the curriculum should introduce regular workshops and sessions to prevent impairment of mental health.
Tele-medicine is being introduced to provide necessary care to people facing physical ailments and illnesses. This kind of technology should be made available to mental health departments as well to enable young adolescents to receive the care they need. Schools and other community areas have been providing space to conduct coronavirus screening and tests. These places could also provide facilities to provide mental health screening as well. Access to suicide and crisis helplines as well as encouraging teens to reach out for help are just some of the ways we can help this young population come out of their shells of depression and anxiety amidst these difficult conditions and help them achieve their true potential.
Conclusion
Humans have lived for a thousand years if not more on this planet and there has been a certain degree of satisfaction and happiness in their lives. This is what has given them the hope to continue their legacies and build families. Today the world has progressed from our ancient times, thanks to science and technology. However, modern lifestyle may have solved a number of problems of the past but it has also brought with it, its fair share of difficulties - enemies that we weren’t aware of in the past. Mental health issues may have existed even before this term was officially introduced but their significance wasn’t as much as it is now. Today’s youth is anguished by depression and thinks of suicide as a solution to all their problems. Although, there are a number of pragmatic causes behind this concern, it is still very important to take actions to prevent these issues.
Mental health problems like depression and suicide are all on the rise especially in these difficult times. Talking about suicide rates, Christine Moutier, chief medical officer for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention says “Could the numbers go up? Yes, but it isn’t inevitable. We know suicide is preventable,” (Wans William, 2020.) What Moutier says has to be understood by everyone. Mental health disorders are treatable and preventable. With the right amount of attention and care, mental health issues can be eradicated and the world can be a much better place to live in.
It is important to discuss what our past generations have created as inheritance and what our future generations can leave as legacy. I believe that in order for legacy to be created and inheritance to be passed on, we need a viable and existing future generation. An increase in suicide rates of teenagers is only depleting this very seventh generation. If these teenagers don’t grow up to be adults who will build upon their inheritance what is the use of such inheritance? If teenagers grow up to be depressed adults who have no interest left in life, what legacy will they create?
In order to build on what their ancestors have created, the seventh generation needs to have a hope for a better future. This better future can only be promised if their present is in a state far better than what it is now. As the number of teenagers facing mental issues are increasing, we are threatening the very generation that needs to sow the seeds of the future. These teenagers need help to rise out of their depression and suicidal ideation in order to ensure that our young generation is able to recognise their inherited wealth of knowledge and abundance and reach their ultimate potential, enabling the growth of humanity as a whole.
Maes Nancy, (April 30,2020). Chicago
Health. How COVID-19 Impacts Teens’
Mental Health. Retrieved from: https://chicagohealthonline.com/how-covid-19-impacts-teens-mental-health/
Mental Health America. (June 1,
2020) COVID-19 and Mental Health: What We
Are Learning from www.mhascreening.org. Retrieved from: https://mhanational.org/sites/default/files/Coronavirus%20Mental%20Health%20Presentation%206-1-2020.pdf#page4
Reger MA, Stanley IH, Joiner TE, ( April 10, 2020). JAMA
Psychiatry. Suicide Mortality and
Coronavirus Disease 2019—A Perfect Storm?
doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2020.1060 Retrieved from: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/2764584
Vitelli, Romeo, (June 7 2020).
Psychology Today. Are We Facing a
Post-COVID-19 Suicide Epidemic? Retreived from: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/media-spotlight/202006/are-we-facing-post-covid-19-suicide-epidemic
Wan William, (may 4, 2020).
Washington Post. The coronavirus pandemic
is pushing America into a mental health crisis. Retrieved from: https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/05/04/mental-health-coronavirus/
What do you think will help eliminate this issue? Let me know in the comments below!
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