Awareness of Depression

Parents and insurance companies need to be aware of the signs of depression in children. Depression is a disorder that causes feelings of sadness, hopelessness, fatigue, and insomnia along with countless other symptoms. It can be a physical or mental disorder and in some severe cases, require long-term treatment including psychotherapy and the use of anti-depressant drugs. Dr. Louis Kraus a psychiatrist at Rush University stated that if a child is experiencing trouble and taking medication for it, the best solution is to get them carefully evaluated and make sure the parents are getting them checked again. (Graham 2). However, some insurance companies and parents believe that anti-depressant drugs will do more damage than help their child, plus it costs more to be covered by insurance. The alarming truth is that ninety percent of suicides are due to depression or some other similar disorder (Hochman 2). Yet, given the right diagnosis and care, these victims could be saved. The media rarely reports on these suicides and if stories were told on them, it would clear a lot of misunderstandings about depression and the cause of suicides (Moira Fahr, a journalism instructor at Carleton University).  If there is no recognition of depression and no report on suicides caused from it, it is hard for people to understand that depression is a serious topic that needs to be addressed.

The Fight For Drugs

         Many people deserve access to anti-depressant drugs yet they are powerless when it comes to attaining them from insurance companies. In 2008, the United States government passed the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act; this stated that health plans are required to provide coverage for mental disorders for the same amount as physical disorders (Adams, Johnson 1). However, insurance companies are finding loopholes to the law by making it harder and more expensive for people with mental illnesses to receive coverage. The most recent National Survey on Drug Use and Health showed that fewer than half of the 45.9 million people with a mental illness receive coverage, since treatment for mental illnesses tend to cost more than physical illnesses (Domenici, Smith 2). However, by covering this in insurance, there would be a better chance in decreasing the amount of people with depression. Evidently, the United States should enforce this law and also have insurance companies provide treatment.

         The use of these anti-depressant drugs in adolescents is widely controversial even though these drugs will help them in the long run. Researchers discovered that by taking anti-depressants known as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors or SSRI’s, there have been decreases in negative traits which were originally thought only to be treatable over years of counseling. What makes them work is that they chemically alter the brain that creates negative thoughts rather than just lessening the symptoms of depression (Healy 1). Because 1 in 4 young people aged 16 to 24 experience mental health problems, these SSRI’s could help them (Mayoh 3). However, some consider these drugs to be harmful to children, such as the Therapeutic Goods Administration and most adolescent psychologists. Although the anti-depressants are not addictive, the physical effects of these anti-depressants include nausea, headaches, drop in appetite, or sleep disturbance. These people say that teenagers could begin to feel like they need these drugs all the time, but depression is simply a chemical imbalance and it is not their fault that they need them. The Kids and Co. Clinical Psychology say that these drugs work for some teenagers but not for all, a good compromise to the controversy (Mayoh 2). If teenagers do take these drugs, they should be monitored for the first month to see if the drugs are working properly (Ibid). Clearly, the safety and well-being of adolescents from anti-depressant drugs is more important than any side effect or opposing view.

Can We Help?

Suicide is the third-leading cause of death for young people between 15 and 24 and accounts for 4,500 lives lost and over 500,000 attempts (Hochman 1). Most of these attempts and deaths have been due to an underlying mental health disorder. During an interview with Mrs. Ellen Cohen, a guidance counselor at Bronxville High School, who explained that these disorders could be evident if a child is experiencing a change, especially in behavior. However, this behavior could turn into feelings of suicide if it is not recognized. Some psychiatrists say that discussing suicide in the media has a “copy cat effect” where one case can trigger to others (Hochman 2). I was interested to learn in the interview that this copy cat effect could be true. Cohen stated that this effect is present when a child is developing an eating disorder or beginning to self-harm, and that it is very possible that teenagers could be influenced by other suicide cases. However, she notes, “It is important for people's stories to come out so [people] could see if a child [is] exhibiting signs of depression and to become aware of what they do before they commit suicide.” A child carrying out suicidal thoughts will take actions similar to giving away possessions or writing and drawing about suicide, but in some cases, there are no signs. However, if stories were reported about a person who chooses to live from a suicidal state, this could actually help decrease suicide rates (Casey 2). A study shows that the majority of suicide attempts off of bridges happen on the sides of a bridge, proving that the victim is unsure whether or not they want to take their life (Hochman 2). To help them get through their depressive thoughts, Mrs. Cohen advises that counseling be the first step a family takes to overcome a child’s depression. She agrees that anti depressant drugs should be given to teenagers, but only in severe cases. Interestingly, she stated that often times, unless a child has a chemical imbalance in their brain, these drugs will help children feel better, but will not fix any problems they have with their parents, their body, or any other issue. But, these drugs can be of value to a teenager who is severely depressed if they are closely monitored. Therefore, people, especially parents must be aware that noticing and treating depression with counseling, anti depressants, or both could save their child from a fatal suicide.