Support of the US Students with Mental Illness and Depression - Research Paper Example

Introduction Depression is a serious health problem in which a person has feelings of guilt, worthlessness, hopelessness, sadness and instability. It is a common mental disorder that can affect people of all ages. The symptoms of depression on adults and children may not be same. The failure of recognizing the consequences of depression and mental problems can have serious significances. The survey conducted by the American College Health Association states that more than 1/3 of students fell depressed (Psychiarty 1). It is believed that mental health problems have become mounting concern among academics and students. Physical health like mental health issues is viewed as current on a continuum from healthy lifestyle to chronic sickness of students. An encouraging mental health of students enables to use their interpersonal skills and assets to task effectively in their daily living. The deterioration of interpersonal skills and qualities can lead to the emergence of mental health problems. Furthermore, this can make difficult for students to cope up with their responsibilities and challenges of life. The continuation of this level of mental health can indicate the onset of mental illness and depression. The rapid upsurge of mental health problems can heavily impact the academic performance of students. Additionally, it can lead to disturbed behavior and confused human being. The prime purpose of the report is to present the influence of mental illness and depression towards the academic performance of students. Moreover, the project will discuss about the steps and solution provided by neighbors, parents, teachers, friends, family and government to nullify these issues. Analysis Depression is defined as insistent experience of irritable and sad mood in all activities. The other symptoms of depression are diminished activity level, reduced feelings of self-worth, impaired concentration, change in body weight, loss of energy, excessive lethargy, signs of agitation, weakened awareness; disrupt sleep patterns and rapid change in appetite. In recent decades, there has been rapid upsurge of student mental health issues. In the year 2010, Eisenberg and Hunt stated that rise of mental health issues can reflect increased willingness by college students to reveal these problems. According to survey by college counseling center, 91% of students used to face mental health problems on campuses. Gallagher stated that 70 % of directors conveyed the occurrence of crisis among students requires immediate reaction (Corley 1). A mental illness is also known as mental disorder. It is a behavioral and mental patternthat can lead to impaired ability and suffering in normal life. Moreover, it is not a social or developmental norm. It is well-defined by the combination of thinking, feeling and acting of a person. According to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, the mental illness is a psychological pattern that leads to distress and increase the risk of disability and pain. Nevertheless, the normal responses are excluded such as deviant actions for religious and political reasons and grief from any loss. Research proves that there can be multiple reasons for the occurrence of mental health issues. Every student has their own their own personal belief and actions for function on daily basis. This can be hampered by happening of traumatic life events. The historical events of family, friends and genes can play vital role towards the causes of mental problems and depression. The biological factors, history of abuse, stress, family issues, traumatic injury and negative life experiences can often lead to mental disorders. Depression is one of the consequences of mental illness or disorders. The mental illness can result in incapability to cope up with the routines and normal demands of life. Furthermore, this can lead to severe disturbances in behavior and thoughts of students. The minor occurrence of difficulties can heavily impact the capacity of students. This can result in undermine academics progression, wasted effort and distress. It is believed that some of the students can arrive at colleges with psychological problems (NIMH 1). This type of students has extreme difficulties to cope up with high level of expectations and performance. The University of Oregon projected that more than 28 percentages of adolescents that are aged between 12 and 19 have experienced one major depression. The fact sheet from the National Institute of Mental health stated that the third foremost cause of death was suicide. Thereport from fact sheet was revealed in the year 2001 and was based on students aged between 15 and 24. The symptoms of depression, mental illness, anxiety disorder proves that student have mental problems. The research from the American College Health Association states that mental illness can lead to finished school before estimated time. It is estimated that 4.2 million of students used to leave schooling. It is estimated by Mental Health Services Administration that more than 20 percentage of homeless population of United States suffers from mental disorders and illness. In United States, more than 6 percentage of general population are mentally ill (Unite for Sight 1). A study in year 2001 states that more than 5 million workers of United States that are aged between 16 and 54 fail to find any job. The relationship with friends can be heavily affected by students with mental disorders. Discussion The symptoms of mental disorder and mental illness can prevent student to maintain relationship with friends and families. Furthermore, this can create difficulty for students to keep a job and go to school. The demands of taking care of student with mental disorder can often become default for caregivers and families to do their work effectively. This is because maximum amount of time is devoted towards individual with mental disorders. Moreover, this can affect families of students with mental illness and depression by reduction in household income and decreased economic output. In the year 2006, a study is conducted in Botswana to investigate the consequences of mentally ill family members towards families. The prime theory implemented on the study was field observations, focus group discussion and in-depth interviews. The study was executed in the capital city Gaborone. Most of the families revel that the lack of medical and financial resources can make it difficult for families to cure mental ill family member. The physical and emotional challenges of caring mentally ill student can create chronic and significant stress on family members. Moreover, it can also affect performance in school. Some of the consequences of mental illness and depression towards academics performance are lack of inability to concentrate, lack of stamina in classroom, struggle of handling negative feedback, difficulty of interaction with other classmates. Students with mental illness show loss of initiative, vague feelings, problems with memory, lack of concentration, unusual drop in functioning, fear, rapid shifts and appetite changes. There are several steps and strategies that can be implemented by neighbors, parents, teachers and school to help students with mental problems such as mental illness and depression. The Mental Health Services Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention work in partnership to track records of attitude of several states towards mental issues. The researcher from 37 territories and states believe that adoption of mental illness treatment is beneficial for mentally ill and depressed students. Schools can implement treatment, identification and prevention of depression from students. It is true that students spend most of their time on schools. Therefore, it is vital for schools to evaluate and constantly observe mental ill and depressed students. The execution of effective interventions requires partnership between communities and schools. Some vital steps for schools can be development of supportive and caring school environment, establishment of clear rules, plan for violence prevention, making sure every student are welcomed in the school, train faculty and breaking plot of silence.The capability and knowledge of mental health specialists should be utilized in the school. This professional includes school counselors, school social workers and school psychologists. It is vital to train parents and faculty to identify the signs of depression and risk factors. All forms of bullying must be prevented in schools. On other hand, if any friend sees any warning signs of mental illness and depression from depressed friend, then it is crucial make sure that guardians and parents are informed. This is primarily because student requires help from professionals at the time of depression. It is critical for friends to find out everything about illness by reading and talking. These things are required to be shared with professionals. If students with depression and mental illness cannot discuss situation with family members and friends, then it is critical to find support network. The valuable advice from support staff can act as beneficial for depressed students. Suicide and depression prevention programs must be initiated by government to nullify occurrence of any mishap. It is important for government to educate school community with effective program. There must be trained crisis intervention team yo train staff members. The easier of identifying illness can benefit schools to combat depression. This requires help of administrators and personnel to educate students and staff. Students must be educated to distinguish difference between normal feelings and depression. Furthermore, students should be motivated to talk amenably about illness and share their health problems with friends and families. Additionally, neighbors should motivate ill students to see professionals quickly and try to use positive words. The use of positive words can help to replace negative thoughts. The academic advisors must empower students to suitable campus resources and treatment. This can create noteworthy influence towards the future of students. One of the best solutions for reduction of mentally ill and depressed students is Question, Persuade and Refer Program. According to Hunt and Eisenberg, the QPR program is being adopted by over 200 campuses. This program enables to educate staffs and faculties to handle student with mental illness issues. The prime focus of this training program is to identify depressed students and provide effective solution. The Question step provides opportunity to students to clarify reason behind withdrawal from friends and feeling hopeless. The second step Persuade emphasize on encouraging depressed students to visit mental health center. Moreover, the special attention must be provided on motivation interviewing, reluctance and timing. If any students with mental problem aggress to the fact that they are feeling depressed, then it is work for consultants to ask that if students are seeking for help or not. There might be some students that are reluctant to receive any help. Advisors motivate and explain to students that there are abundant of resources available to help. The final step Refer offers helpful suggestions to advisors. This suggestions include viewing students have utilized resources or not and connect students to the resource. The appropriate treatment and early diagnosis are other essential solution of depressed students. The diagnostic evaluation includes psychological testing, behavioral observations, consulting with professionals, laboratory tests, physical examination and interviews with parents. It is decisive to notify that impact of mental health issues on students can have devastating significances on society and future employers. Interpersonal therapy and Cognitive-behavioral therapy are two types of psychotherapy that can be effective towards treating depression. The interpersonal therapy can help students to work and understand at the time of troubled relationships. The Cognitive-behavioral therapy can benefit students to change their negative way of behavior and thinking. Student health centers and counseling centers are other mental health services of students (NCBI 1). Conclusion This can be concluded that execution of effective strategies can benefit students with mental illness and depression. The development of positive environment within classroom can be initial step towards prevention of major mental illness.The combination of biochemical imbalances, genetic factors and environmental stress can lead to mental illness. The academic outcomes of depressed students are lack of productivity in classroom and judgment to remain in school. The warning signs of mental illness and depression are strong sense of anger feeling, delusions, social withdrawal, excessive fears, prolonged depression, confusion thinking, growing inability,denial of obvious difficultiesand suicidal thoughts. Moreover, this can create ripple effect on family members and friends. Sometimes parents need information and help from professionals to help themselves. Question, Persuade and Refer Program, diagnostic evaluation and effective counseling are critical solution for children with depression and mental problems. Therefore, it is vital for schools and family members to provide appropriate interventions, educate stakeholders, de-stigmatize depression and implement successful programs. Works Cited\ Corley, Lori. Prevalence of Mental Health Issues among College Students: How Do Advisers Equip Themselves? - See more at: http://dus.psu.edu/mentor/2013/08/mental-health-college-students#sthash.4CEhAwAM.dpuf. Aug. 2013. Web. 15 March 2015. < http://dus.psu.edu/mentor/2013/08/mental-health-college-students>. NCBI. 5 Major Treatment Issues and Approaches. 2002. Web. 15 March 2015. < http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64124/>. NIMH. What is Depression. 2014. Web. 15 March 2015. < http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/index.shtml>. Psycharty. College Students. 2015. Web. 15 March 2015. < http://www.psychiatry.org/college-students>. Unite for Sight. Introduction to Global Mental Health: Effects of Mental Health on Individuals and Populations. 2015. Web. 15 March 2015. < http://www.uniteforsight.org/mental-health/module1>. Read More