Gender, Depression and Levels of intervention – Gender, Depression and Levels of intervention | Report

Report – Gender, Depression and Levels of intervention
Report – Gender, Depression and Levels of intervention
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Report – Gender, Depression and Levels of intervention
Introduction
Depression is a popular and serious mental condition that is characterized by a lack of interest
and low levels of psychic energy. It can be caused by personal or environmental factors (Tsuno,
N, Besset, A., & Ritchie, K, 2015).
This report's main focus will be analyzing depression in Australian youth aged between 12 -25
years of age. This report will also provide propositions on intervention methods to curb
depression and improve positive mental health for the Australian youth (Andrews, G., Szabo, M,
& Burns, J., 2012). Depression among the youth in Australia is a critical social and personal
catastrophe that can interfere with the thinking, behavior and feeling s of the victim.
Section 1
Understanding depression within the Australian youth.
a. Evidence relating to depression among the Australian youth.
Most of the youths in Australia do not seek medical attention to address their depression concern,
which may cause terminal effects later in their lives. The youths are the most vulnerable group
in Australia to experience depression effects since they always delay; in seeking medical care or
do not seek medical attention at all (Prigerson, H. G, et al., 2015). There are multiple bunches of
events that support the existence of depression among Australia youth. They include;
-Suicide
Suicide remains the top contributing factor to youth deaths in Australia. It is estimated that an
average of about 350 youths commits suicide annually. This exceeds the number of fatalities
from road accidents. People from all backgrounds and identities commit suicide, but the youths
are the most vulnerable to suicide due to depression (Klerman, G. L. (Ed.), 2012). This is mainly
because the youth are dominated by the fear of peer stigmatization and always feel demoralized
to open up about their depression status. Depression is rated as the top contributing factor to
youth suicides in Australia.
-Involvement in criminal activities
A large number of Australian youths diagnosed with depression have higher chances of
committing violent crimes or delinquent activities compared to the general members of the
society (Fishback, P. V, Johnson, R. S., & Kantor, S, 2010). They may engage in violent criminal
activities such as robbery, murder or attempted murder, arson, rape, and intimidations or terminal
threats.
-Drunkenness or substance abuse
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Report – Gender, Depression and Levels of intervention
The link between drug abuse or Alcoholism and depression is openly undeniable. Alcohol and
drugs are the first options for Australian youths to relieve or ease their depression levels.
Depressed youths feel isolated and unwanted by society thus turning into alcoholism or drug
abuse to address their perceived fears. They turn into drugs at the expense of seeking medical
attention or counseling services (McCord, J, 2015). Alcohol is not a stress reliever as some of its
consumers assume it to be. Instead, alcohol increases depression levels and makes worse the
depression effects. Most of the addiction victims to alcohol and drugs are culprits of depression.
b. Determinants of depression among Australian youths.
There are several determinants of depression among young people. This report is going to focus
on two major groups which are; social and gender-based.
-Education
Education levels determine the employment or income rates among the Australian youths. High
education levels will automatically reflect employment and a stable source of income. Low
education levels or absolute illiteracy will attract low-income rates and unreliable sources of
income (Allen, J, Balfour, R., Bell, R, & Marmot, M, 2014). Unemployed youths with no
concrete source of income are vulnerable to depression. Working conditions also depression
vulnerability. Young people employed in poor working conditioned areas face high chances of
being depressed. Higher education among the youth can predict protection against depression,
loneliness, and anxiety, while low education levels expose the youth to depression.
-Marital status
This report will analyze how marital statuses determine depression in respect to two-three
groups; the unmarried, the married and the divorced. A large considerable number of youth lie
within the unmarried category which is more exposed to depression since they lack a partner to
turn to or to express their anxiety when faced with the risk of depression (Allen, J, Balfour, R.,
Bell, R, & Marmot, M, 2014). In the category of married youths, depression here depends on the
satisfaction or contentment with one's partner. Those satisfied with their partners display fewer
depression symptoms compared to those that are unsatisfied with their partners. The third
category among youths is made up of divorced youths. Most of the studies ignore this category
since its cases are rare thus their findings are not considered ideally reflective of the young
people. Divorced youths have a high percentage of depression cases due to unsolved marriage
issues resulting from fights with a spouse or death of a spouse.
-gender
Young females are considered to be twice more susceptible to depression than male ones.
Explanations of this phenomenon lean towards the hormonal difference between the two
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Report – Gender, Depression and Levels of intervention
genders. Young women face higher fluctuation in hormone intensities that are connected to
depression symptoms than their male counterparts. Some studies suggest that women are more
sensitive compared to men thus accounting for the high number of depression rates. When young
men are faced with symptoms of depression, they are less likely to consult a medic than young
women. Other studies also suggest that young females are involved in personal relationships and
commitments than young males and feel deeply hurt when provoked than men. Biologically,
women express sturdier depression predisposition than men concerning twin studies and family
records.
-marginalization
The young population in Australia among the marginalized communities has higher chances of
displaying depression symptoms. The young population among the marginalized groups feels
socially isolated and sidelined from the share of power and allocation of national resources
(Walker, J. L, Ruiz, R. J, Chinn, J. J, Marti, N, & Ricks, T. N, 2012). Their sense of inferiority
increases the chances of depression. For instance, the youths among the aboriginals or the Torres
Strait Islander suffer from discrimination, limited access to social services like education and
healthcare and lack of protection by the government. These factors contribute to disparity and
potential discrimination.
Section 2
Intervention propositions to prevent depression and promote mental health for young people.
This report is going to propose and analyze possible mechanisms that can be deployed to
eradicate depression and elevate mental wellness for the young population (Dennis, C. L., 2015).
They can be classified into three groups; primary, secondary and tertiary.
Primary interventions
-Healthy diets
Fatty foods or diets rich in caffeine or f promote anxiety thus leading to depression, instead, they
should be substituted with foods contains fewer amounts of caffeine or fats. Healthy feeding
habits should be practiced.
-Therapy or related oriented medical care
Therapy is always the most effective way to combat depression. Seeking medical attention from
a qualified professional can guarantee partial or total recovery. When therapy is administered
promptly and professionally, recovery from depression is possible.
Secondary interventions
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Report – Gender, Depression and Levels of intervention
-Family support
Friends and close relatives need to sensitize and equipped with proper basic therapy skills to give
support and attention to the young generation when they approach those seeking help. Peer
awareness should also be utilized in proving assistance to the depressed young ones.
-Community-based support programs
The government should work with the community to establish recovery-oriented supports that
are essential in complimenting in medical support services after therapies. The community
should also provide activities to the youth to keep them occupied in their idle season like school
holidays.
-Provide training to the teachers and school staff
Since a big percentage of the young generation comprises students, the government should
provide training to the teachers and also students about depression recovery methods and support
services education (Dennis, C. L., 2015). Teachers should be trained on how to support students
undergoing mental instabilities without causing worries to them.
-Gender-sensitive approach
A gendered attitude addressing the mental issues of the young population is essential covering
help pursuing predilections and other pressure from the society such as gender-based
discriminations
Tertiary interventions
-Involve young people in policymaking
The youth should be engaged in strategizing youth-friendly mental health programs and as
policymakers on crucial mental health awareness matters. Those undergoing mental instabilities
ought to be acknowledged as specialists in their own lives.
-Technology
Technology should be enhanced to provide an alternative to physical face to face service
(Richards, D & Richardson, T, 2012). This increases efficiency and confidence among young
people when they search for help in relating to their mental health issues
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Report – Gender, Depression and Levels of intervention
Conclusion
Although studies suggest that depression is majorly rampant in the older population, we cannot
ignore the fact that depression numbers among the young population are growing rapidly even
surpassing the mid-aged people. Therefore, in the wake of this call, we need to develop strategies
that can save this tender generation from the depression monster. Given proper and friendly
attention and support, the youths are always ready to open up and share their emotional
struggles. Through the sharing of experiences, they are relieved of their mental insecurities thus
escaping depression.
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Report – Gender, Depression and Levels of intervention
References
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Fishback, P. V, Johnson, R. S., & Kantor, S. (2010). Striking at the roots of crime: The impact of welfare
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Klerman, G. L. (Ed.). (2012). Suicide and depression among adolescents and young adults. Washington,
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Walker, J. L, Ruiz, R. J, Chinn, J. J, Marti, N, & Ricks, T. N. (2012). Discrimination, acculturation and other
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