Organization description Communities Healing Adolescent Depression and Suicide (CHADS) Coalition was founded by Marian And Larry McCord in memorial of their son, Chad, died by suicide at age of 18. The mission of CHADS is to save young lives by advancing the awareness and prevention of depression and suicide. We have made significant accomplishments by our dedicated staff and strong ties with schools. Various programs successful programs are offered, such as school outreach programs, community awareness presentations and classes, and family support programs. In addition, we have strong partnership with local health care organizations as well as collaborating with Dr. Joan Luby, a well-known child psychiatrist at Washington University School …show more content…
Louis City. As an evidence-based model, the Precede-Proceed model involves the community in developing public health programs13. Like other chronic disease, adolescent depression has complex etiology; and thus, buy in from the community is critical to implement EIIAD successfully. Based on the Precede-Proceed model, the Phase 1 is the social assessment and situational analysis. CHADS will set up meeting with key stake holders mentioned above to learn what they need or want to improve students’ mental wellness, especially depression. Second, in the epidemiological assessment phase (Phase 2), CHADS will conduct an epidemiological assessment in the targeted schools by collecting data about the prevalence of depression and related health conditions among students. Then, the center will do an environmental assessment of the community to target and prioritize the factors that should be changed in Phase 3. In Phase 4 (the educational and ecological assessment), the team will survey the community about their knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about adolescent depression. Finally, in the administrative and policy assessment phase, CHADS will evaluate all of the factors influencing adolescent depression in the community, and decide which factor(s) will be able to intervene within limited resources of staff, funding, and others. After these initial assessments, CHADS will develop a program to address the rates of adolescent depression in St. Louis
William Beardslee, Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry at Children's Hospital Boston, states that the protective factors that can reduce the risk of a young adolescent person developing depression include the presence of a supportive adult, good interpersonal relationships, a strong sense o...
Suicide and the Predictions of Suicide In the first paper I read about hopelessness and eventual suicide, four authors studied 207 hospitalized patients with suicidal ideation. There was a follow up period of 5-10 years when these patients were systematically checked up on to see their status. Fourteen eventually completed suicide within the follow up period. In the study the researchers used the Beck Depression Inventory, the Hopelessness Scale, and the Scale of Suicidal Ideation.
People constantly overlook the severity of depression, more importantly, major teen depression, which presents a legitimate obstacle in society. The intensity of teen depression results from society’s general lack of acknowledgement of the rising affair. In 2012, “28.5% of teens were depressed” and 15.8% of teens contemplated the option of suicide (Vidourek 1 par. 1), due to their major depression going unnoticed or untreated for. Even teenagers themselves often ignore their depression or remain in denial because neither them nor anyone else recognizes the signs. “A sudden change in behavior is a main sign of someone being depressed, which could lead to having suicidal thoughts,” stated Pam Farkas, a clinical social worker in California (Aguilar 1 par. 8). The warning signs and risk factors of teen depression include behavioral issues, social withdrawal, and inadequate interest in activities (Adolescents and Clinical Depression 2 par. 3), yet the unawareness of these signs does not allow professional medical attention to intercede. Deaths, illnesses, rejection, relationship issues, and disappointment present passages down the negative path of teen depression, but treatments, such as psychotherapy, intervention programs, and antidepressants express ways to subdue this major problem. Knowledge of the increasing dilemma needs to circulate, in order to promote stable teen lives in the present and future world. Understanding major teen depression, the events and incidents that lead to depression, and how to overcome the problem will lead to a decrease in major teen depression and its growing issue in society.
and causes suicide can be prevented. Suicide is an intentional attempt to kill oneself whether it is
The American Foundation of Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is a non-profit organization that acknowledges suicide and mental health problems that are part of our society. By understanding this support can go to those in need of education and those who are at risk. Suicide affects a tremendous amount of people those who suffer from depression and their love ones, but with proper education and treatment it can prevent many from committing suicide. In fact according to Mental Health Business Week “Each year in the United States, suicide claims over 40,000 lives - more than war, murder, and natural disasters combined…Suicide is not just a faceless health issue for our society - it affects real people” (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention 60). Therefore organizations like The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention were established to assist. The AFSP was founded in 1987, which is one of the leaders in fighting against suicide by offering research, education, and supports to those individuals and their families that are affected by suicide.
Recently, a popular TV series “13 Reasons Why,” raised the awareness of suicide and mental health. Suicide and mental health are big deals, since suicide is the “second leading cause of death for ages 12-24,” according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (“Suicide Statistics”). People attempt suicide for various reasons, and mental illness is a significant factor. Consequently, risk factors such as chemical imbalance in the brain, genetic vulnerability, environmental factors, and family relationship intertwine and cause mental illness. Among those mental illnesses, depression is one of the most common and heavily associated with suicide. Depression is difficult to identify among the young people because the symptoms are easily
Summary of “Antidepressants Prevent Suicide” In 2008 Ed Edelson stated in his article “Antidepressants Prevent Suicide” that antidepressants help prevent suicidal thoughts and tendencies. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns against the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in antidepressants in case of potential risk of suicidal signs (Edelson). Treating depression with antidepressants and/or therapy has shown a reduction of suicide attempts in patients. That the benefits of using antidepressants with SSRIs and therapy to treat depression is far greater than the small risk of getting suicidal thoughts at the beginning of the process when taking a new medication.
Depression is the most common mental health problem in the United States. It affects people of all ages, races and economic backgrounds. In adolescents, as many as one in eight teens suffers with this condition. It can interfere with day-to-day functioning. Many times adolescents feel lost or hopeless and may not know who to turn to for help. This therapeutic environment uses specific objectives and goals to give adolescents the tools and skills they need to cope and function more successfully. This is a positive, caring environment so that each member will feel ready to share and cope with their problems. Currently, there is a lack of support and resources for adolescents with this mental illness and this group fulfills that need. This group is different from other groups of this nature, as members are carefully screened to make sure only those who can truly benefit from it are included.
Depression is a serious and common problem that affects people of all social class and racial group throughout the world. They are good and affordable treatment for depression. Most people who have depression do not receive adequate treatment. We must do more and do better to take care of ourselves. It is not easy for any of us to tackle a problem of this magnitude, but by being responsible and taking care of our own health and mental well-being needs, we can also reach out to help others who are dealing with depression or other mental issues by sharing with them information’s and pointing them in the right direction to find the help they need.
Depression affects everyone's life at sometime or another. Depression comes in a wide variety of forms, from mild unhappiness to a chemical imbalance in the mind. There are many different symptoms that reveal a person's problem with depression. If left untreated, depression may continue to develop into a serious illness or even death.
Suicide, it's not pretty. For those of you who don't know what it is, it's the
Lindsey, Billie. 2009. "THE PREVALENCE AND CORRELATES OF DEPRESSION AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS." College Student Journal 43 (4): 999-1014.
Teen suicide as an extremely complex tragedy, that unfortunately happens all the time throughout the United States. There are friends, parents, and peers that are facing the misfortune of losing a young, close, loved one to suicide. Most people don't realize that adolescent suicide is common. They don't want to believe how often this occurs in the secure environment found in the small towns of America, as well as in its largest cities.
Teenage depression is a growing problem in today's society and is often a major contributing factor for a multitude of adolescent problems. The statistics about teenage runaways, alcoholism, drug problems, pregnancy, eating disorders, and suicide are alarming. Even more startling are the individual stories behind these statistics because the young people involved come from all communities, all economic levels, and all home situations-anyone's family. The common link is often depression. For the individuals experiencing this crisis, the statistics become relatively meaningless. The difficult passage into adolescence and early adulthood can leave lasting scars on the lives and psyches of an entire generation of young men and women. There is growing realization that teenage depression can be life- changing, even life threatening.
Keith A. King, and Rebecca A. Vidourek. "Teen Depression and Suicide: Effective Prevention and Intervention Strategies." The Prevention Researcher (2012): 15. Web.