Report: Psychological, Social, and Behavioral Issues in Public Health

This report examines psychological, social, and behavioral issues within public health, with a specific focus on mental health challenges faced by teenagers in Canada. The report begins by highlighting the prevalence of Major Depressive Disorder (MDE) and its impact on various age groups, particularly young adults and females. It then analyzes a Twitter-based campaign aimed at raising awareness of mental health issues among teenagers, considering the social cognitive theory and the role of role models. The report evaluates the campaign's effectiveness and suggests improvements, such as classifying specific mental disorders, incorporating personal experiences of recovery, and emphasizing self-discipline, supported by the theory of planned behavior. The report concludes by providing references to relevant sources and research studies.

Running head: PSYCHOLOGICAL SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL ISSUES IN PUBLIC HEALTH 1
Psychological and Social Issues in Public Health
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PSYCHOLOGICAL SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL ISSUES IN PUBLIC HEALTH 2
Part 1
Public health surveillance has provided a lead to many public health issues facing the
world today. Such problems like psychological, social and behavioral issues have been of
significant impact to different target groups for example, the youth and teenagers in Canada. The
global statistics show that the Major Depressive Disorder also known as the MDE is the major
cause and the second most leading origin of disability (Wiens, et al., 2017). According to the
report published by Pearson, Janz, & Ali (2013), among the young adults aged 15 to 24, 9
percent of the female population, compared to 5.3 percent of the male teenage population
experienced high rates of depression. Also, 4.1 percent male population and 6.8 percent female
population of ages 25 to 44 suffered the same disorder. Besides, 5.6 percent and 3.4 percent of
the female and male population respectively of ages 45 to 64 experienced depression. Lastly, 1.8
percent and 1.4 percent of the female and male population in Canada of ages 65 and above as per
the research report had high rates of depression. The mental health issue based on the findings is
high among the teenagers and female population and low among the aging population (Pearson,
Janz, & Ali, 2013). This is the reason this study aims to examine a teenage campaign program
which has been used to sensitize the teenagers on matters mental health.
Part 2
The campaign was rolled out on Twitter aimed at raising awareness related to mental
health which is affecting many teenagers in Canada. Teenagers have been targeted in this
campaign because are likely to be exposed to different and tempting environments at different
stages of their growth. Besides, their bodies undergo inevitable biological and physical changes
that are likely to influence them to engage in unacceptable behaviors (CMHA, 2014). The
campaign not only aimed at raising funds for those mentally ill, but it also aimed at ensuring the

PSYCHOLOGICAL SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL ISSUES IN PUBLIC HEALTH 3
teenagers get involved in social issues and mental aspects which will help them in guiding their
lifestyle. The social cognitive theory according to (Bandura, 2016) expounds person’s behavior
in a dynamic model in which the environmental factors influence the behavior and the personal
factors influences interact continually. The program aimed at influencing the teenagers to
understand how and why mental illness could arise and how it can be supported. The observation
and familiarization of the situation is the critical element of the theory which was used in this
campaign (Gawronski & Strack, 2012). Based on his own experience on how he struggled to
come out about his gay status, Rothery, the campaigner initiator, acted as a role model to the
fellow teenagers and youths. With the environment rolling up campaigns and educating
teenagers and youths in matters related to mental disorders, the campaign will be able to achieve
its goals and objectives of both sensitization and exerting knowledge to the affected population.
Part 3
The campaign can be done differently by classifying the specific mental disorders which
the funds raised and awareness created were meant to address (Alkaya & Hepaktan, 2003). This
is aimed at ensuring that the individuals participating in the campaign are able to narrow down to
the exact issues facing them so that appropriate and specified help and feedback can be obtained.
Through this campaign strategy each participant will feel part of the group and therefore,
facilitate him or her to feel free to tell his or her concerns extensively. Also, there will be the
need to for the future campaign to incorporate many teenagers who experienced mental illness
before and managed to come out of it. This approach will help those who facing similar
challenges on how to cope with situation. Promoting the aspect of role model among the youths
and teenagers, though it was slightly captured in the campaign, however, the number of role
models and those who had undergone the same experience in the past was minimal. Also, the

PSYCHOLOGICAL SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL ISSUES IN PUBLIC HEALTH 4
future campaign must exert self-discipline and control among the teenagers, an act which was
not stressed in the campaign. These changes are backed up by the theory of planned behavior as
exhibited by (Lange, Kruglanski, & Higgins, 2011). Coming up with measures which ensure
individuals develop self-control measures will be an essential aspect of the next campaign which
will be carried out. This is because self-control supersedes constant monitoring and punishments
as a method of carrying out a successful campaign. The theory of planned behavior will be an
appropriate basis for the introduction of new ways of conducting the next campaign.
The campaign http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/chhsletstalk-campaign-shines-
social-media-spotlight-on-mental-health-1.2890991

PSYCHOLOGICAL SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL ISSUES IN PUBLIC HEALTH 5
References
Alkaya, A. G., & Hepaktan, E. (2003). Organizational Change. YÖNET M VE EKONOM, 30-58.
Bandura, A. (2016). Social foundations of thought and action: a social cognitive theory.
Michigan: Prentice-Hall.
CMHA. (2014, May 12). Canadian Mental Health Association. Retrieved from
https://cmha.bc.ca: https://cmha.bc.ca/documents/mental-illnesses-in-children-and-youth-
2/
Gawronski, B., & Strack, F. (2012). Cognitive Consistency: A Fundamental Principle in Social
Cognition. Newyork: Guilford Press,.
Lange, P. A., Kruglanski, A. W., & Higgins, E. T. (2011). Handbook of Theories of Social
Psychology: Volume One. NY: SAGE.
Pearson, C., Janz, T., & Ali, J. (2013, September). Mental and substance use disorders in
Canada. Statistics Canada, Catalogue no.82-624-X, pp. 1-10.
Wiens, K., Williams, J. V., Lavorato, D. H., Duffy, A., Pringsheim, M., Sajobi, T. T., & Patten,
S. B. (2017). Is the prevalance of major depression increasing in the Canadian Adolescent
population? Assesing trends from 2000 to 2014. Journal of Affective Disorders, 22-26.