National Trends in the Prevalence and Treatment of Depression in Adolescents and
Young Adults
As Mojtabai R. et al. (2016) stated the fact in the past three decades that there is an increased
generality of depressive symptoms in adolescents in industrialized countries, added to current
suicide trends in the United States propose that depression in adolescents and young adults
may have persisted to rise, this study provides information on recent trends in major
depressive episodes in adolescents and young adults in general and in sociodemographic
subgroups, as well as patterns in the search for depression diagnosis and treatment styles.
The authors of article stated their concern on increasing number of people who suffered
depression as soon as the children switch to adolescence, rises of usage antidepressant
medication by adolescents yet before black-box warning by Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) 2003 and indirect proof of increased lifespan in successive birth cohorts of major
depressive disorder at the beginning of the article. The authors then suggest portraying the
national trends in depressive disorders and their treatment could notify society to improve
access for young people to mental health services.
The methods of the study are by looking at statistics was taken from the 2005 to 2014
National Surveys on Drug Use and Health and time trends in 12-month major depressive
episodes (MDEs) prevalence were reviewed overall and in different subgroups, as were time
trends in the use of treatment services. Stratified regression analyses are analysed for trends
in prevalence based on sex, race/ethnicity, age, income group, and substance use disorders
while the trends in service use are evaluated by type of provider, type of setting, use of
psychiatric medications, continuation of treatment, and perceived helpfulness of treatments.
The results from the study showed increase for both adolescents and young adults in the 12month prevalence of MDEs and statistically notable only between 12 and 20 years of age.
After adjustment for substance use disorders and socio-demographic factors, the patterns
remained significant. Generally, mental health experiences have not changed over time;
however, in adolescents and young adults, the use of specialist mental health providers has
increased, and the use of prescription medicines and hospitalizations in adolescents has
increased.
From this study, it can be concluded that the prevalence of depression has increased in recent
years among adolescents and young adults. The increases in prevalence translate into a
growing number of young people with untreated depression in the sense of little change in
mental health services. The results call for increased efforts to expand the scope of service to
best meet this age group's mental health needs.
The effects of an educational program on depression literacy and stigma among
students of secondary schools in Jazan city, 2016
Hussain D. et al. (2016) stated the main purpose of this study is to measure the impact of the
depression education intervention program on depression literacy and stigma in Jazan City
secondary schools during the 2016 academic year. The design and method of this study is by
using a randomized cluster study which will be performed on a cohort of 360 students to test
depression literacy and depression stigma before and after an educational program tailored
for intervention. The treatment consists of a bundle of two seminars, one video chat, and five
myth by group discussion on depression, posters, and brochure. The target population is all
high school students in Jazan, where there are 13 high schools that will be stratified by
gender (6 boys' schools and 7 girls' schools). The study results will provide proof of the
effectiveness of educational intervention programs to improve the literacy of depression
among high school students in Jazan City. The expected result of this study is to increase the
rate of depression literacy in the intervention group of high school students.
Reavley N & Jorm A. (2011) stated that significant amounts of current literature pay
particular attention to the value of educational intervention in depression literacy. In addition,
Rahman et al (1998) argued that school programs have been successful in improving mental
health awareness in school and community children. The school kids are open to the
curriculum and shared with parents, colleagues, and neighbours about their new
understanding. These studies disclose the demand at the school level for educational
intervention on depression literacy.
The methods and analysis used in this study is by using a few steps and phases in exposing
the literacy education to the students. The authors started the study by design the trail, study
the area and target the population where the participants involved are in the age group of 10
to 19 years randomly chosen and agreed to join it. After execute sampling size and design,
they continued with data collection instruments and trail phases where three phases are
implemented. In first phase, they produced a baseline information by carrying out D-Lit, the
depression stigma scale (DSS), and the self-stigma depression scale (SSDS) as a preintervention assessment. Then, they began the intervention in the second phase which
involving a formed team of a psychiatrist, a public health physician, and a social worker. The
program held in this phase consist of educational strategies which are lectures, group
discussion, brochures, posters and contract strategies delivered by a teacher from each school
in their school within two weeks. The last phase is involving follow-up three to twelve
months right away after the intervention as a post-intervention assessment, using the same
types assessment as mentioned earlier in the first phase followed by statistical analysis and
data management plan.
The expected result of this study would be an increase in depression literacy among the
intervention group's secondary school students since the trial results will publicize through
conference, seminar and peer reviewed scientific journals publication. This expected outcome
statement is supported by Griffiths K. et al. (2014) where they mentioned that several studies
have concluded that academic intervention focused on depression and destigmatization
evidence increases awareness and can minimize stigma. Moreover, collected evidence
suggested the significance of educating adolescents about depression, as this is the peak
period for the emergence of mental disorders, with half of people suffering from a mental
disorder experiencing their first episode before the age of 18 (Campbell M. et al., 2000)
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