Depression in Filipino Youth

INTRODUCTION

Depression is a major source of the burden of disease throughout the world. In much of the developing world, however, depression is largely unexplored as a research topic. A social mapping revealed that, even though the mental disorder has been recognized as a research priority, only a sparse number of relevant studies have been carried out in lowand middle-income countries. Roughly 60% of these countries have contributed fewer than five articles to the international mental health indexed literature. Strategic evidence is needed in order to prevent the occurrence of depression, including its pernicious effects and prohibitive treatment cost. As far back as 1997, the World Health Organization Organization (WHO) considered considered that depression was the second greatest cause of disability in the world. This view was reinforced by major research led by the WHO and published in 2007 in which the burden of depression was compared with that of chronic illnesses including angina, arthritis, asthma and diabetes. In this research nearly nearl y a quarter of a million people in 60 countries were studied; after allowing for socioeconomic factors and other health conditions, depression had the largest effect on worsening health, and people with depression in addition to another chronic illness had the worst health measures of all disease states. One in every 10 Filipinos between 15 and 24 years old admitted to being depressed in a survey conducted by the University of the Philippines Population Popu lation Institute Institut e and the Demographic Research and Development Foundation. But only 1 in every 3 depressives

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seek help, according to the Department of Health. The rest either bear the symptoms in silence too embarrassed to seek help or continue to suffer from depression without knowing it.





TEENAGE DEPRESSION

Depression (major depressive disorder) is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act. Fortunately, it is also treatable. Depression causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities once enjoyed. It can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems and can decrease a person’s ability to function at work and at home. Symptoms must last at least two weeks for a diagnosis of depression. Adults commonly tell young people that the teenage years are the "best years of your life." The rosy remembrance highlights happy groups of high school students energetically involved at a dance or sporting event, and a bright-eyed couple holding hands or sipping sodas and eating in Hepa Street. This is only part of the picture. Life for many young people is a painful tug of war filled with mixed messages and conflicting demands from parents, teachers, coaches, employers, friends and oneself. Growing up negotiating a path between independence and reliance on others is a tough business. It creates stress, and it can create serious depression for young people ill-





teenagers and children. Depression among children and teenagers is not always easy to spot. Unlike depressed adults, whose hallmark symptom is often a profound sadness or lack of energy in activities and loss of enthusiasm for the things they previously enjoyed. In older children and teenagers, depression often manifests as chronic anger, irritability and often isolating oneself, which parents of teenagers tend to dismiss as part of the teenager’slife teenager’s life

sudden changes in behavior or mood, isolating oneself, not contacting friends, refusing to go to school are non-specific non- specific signs of depression in teenagers. It’s not always just sadness. These are some of the early warning signs that parents need to look out for. Some other indicators of a restless or sadness within could co uld be the quality of creative work that is produced, such as dark or disturbing art work, the type of music that the young person listens to, or the images or words that they they use in their writing. Often a sense of worthlessness or helplessness is a theme in the writings of depressed young people. A palpable anger or rage is another running running theme. theme.

These are some of the issues that can cause depression include identity crises, peer pressure and society. Of course, depression affects each person differently, and it’s up to that person to respond accordingly. We always look for answers to questions, and,





National Poison Management and Control Center (NPMCC) of the Philippine General Hospital reported that 46 percent of the total suicide cases recorded since 2010 are from the youth.The report showed that 30% of those who committed suicide are young adults aged 20 to 35 years old while the remaining 16% are teens aged 10 to 19 years old. W hile the rate of youth suicide in the country was relatively low compared to neighboring countries in the region, the bad news is that the suicide rates in the country have been on the rise.





REACH OUT

It doesn’t have to be a doctor. It could be a guidance counselor, a good friend, someone from your child’s support group. If you suspect that there is so mething going on in your child or friend’s friend’s inner life, you must exert the effort to reach out. Having access to someone that they can talk to and pour their hearts out to be very crucial. If the child or teenager refuses to go for assessment, the parent needs to encourage the child to see the doctor or counselor even just once. Making time to be with your child, whether it is over a meal, a quick trip to the grocery, or even just a few minutes at the start or end of each day, is very important. Bonding moments with friends. Teenagers tend to be monosyllabic or dismissive, but that’s part of being a teenager, so the parent needs to stretch their patience and understand. Do not make every encounter a battlefield and make the child or teenager feel worse.

Depression is really the main cause why people commit suicide. So, the role of counselor is important in healing and building the soft and life skills of the students. Counseling should include positive interactions, active listening, restoring hope and doing problem solving for real problems.







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References: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/847516/villanueva-youth-suicide-in-ph-on-the-rise http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/75938/when-a-teenager-is-depressed/ http://www.extension.umn.edu/youth/research/youth-issues/adolescent-stress-anddepression/ http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/lifestyle/healthandwellness/524070/special-reportsuicide-and-the-pinoy-youth/story/ https://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/what-is-depression#3 http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/200741/choosing-hope-understanding-teen-depression/ http://www.philstar.com/cebu-news/2015/10/17/1511675/counselors-say-depressioncauses-suicide-among-youth





Depression in Filipino Youth

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