Community Problem Report
Lissett Munoz
Professor Massey Jimenez
English 1101 MWF 11 a.m.
November 16, 2012
Community Problem Report
Have you ever felt sad in your life whether it’s because your pet died, the person you were seeing broke up with you or because your favorite television show got canceled? Try taking that sadness and multiplying it by ten, that is an idea of how depression feels like. Now turn that idea of depression into the image of a leech. Imagine it being stuck to you and no matter how hard you try to get it off of you it just won’t budge. The purpose in this imagine is not to gross you out or to associate leeches with depression but, to give you an idea of how depression is not something that is easily removed. A problem that society seems to have now is that they’re under the impression that depression is something a person can easily overcome, but in actuality it requires the support of others. Another issue that is presented mostly among teenagers is that they associate depression with self-harm as well as a lack of realization on how depression not only affects the person who is depressed but as well as their family members.
About 9.5 of the population suffer from a depressive illness in a one year period. That is roughly 18.8 million American adults. (Strock 15) Most of them do not seek treatment even though it is possible for them to get help. Let’s say for argument’s sake half of them receive treatment and overcome depression that still leaves 9.4 million American adult untreated. You don’t even know why these people are depressed; it could be because someone significant to them passed away, they lost their job, or a chemical imbalance. These people should not be judged or pushed into “getting over” their depression or having their problems degraded.
A person does not “get over” the passing of their child or significant other easily, the same applies for depression. It is something that can take years to overcome, especially for a person who has been depressed for years. It becomes a part of a person, they get so used to it that they sometimes cannot imagine a life without feeling sad. Something they may not be able to remember is how they’re life was before this wave of sadness washed over them, consuming their thoughts and controlling their actions. It is even harder when the person is not receiving the assistance and support that they need. Others, especially those who know someone who is depressed need to come to realize that what they say can affect a person emotionally. Those of all people should be able to support the said person they care about, not necessarily comprehend what they feel but at the very least attempt to comfort them.
Professor Massey Jimenez
English 1101 MWF 11 a.m.
November 16, 2012
Community Problem Report
Have you ever felt sad in your life whether it’s because your pet died, the person you were seeing broke up with you or because your favorite television show got canceled? Try taking that sadness and multiplying it by ten, that is an idea of how depression feels like. Now turn that idea of depression into the image of a leech. Imagine it being stuck to you and no matter how hard you try to get it off of you it just won’t budge. The purpose in this imagine is not to gross you out or to associate leeches with depression but, to give you an idea of how depression is not something that is easily removed. A problem that society seems to have now is that they’re under the impression that depression is something a person can easily overcome, but in actuality it requires the support of others. Another issue that is presented mostly among teenagers is that they associate depression with self-harm as well as a lack of realization on how depression not only affects the person who is depressed but as well as their family members.
About 9.5 of the population suffer from a depressive illness in a one year period. That is roughly 18.8 million American adults. (Strock 15) Most of them do not seek treatment even though it is possible for them to get help. Let’s say for argument’s sake half of them receive treatment and overcome depression that still leaves 9.4 million American adult untreated. You don’t even know why these people are depressed; it could be because someone significant to them passed away, they lost their job, or a chemical imbalance. These people should not be judged or pushed into “getting over” their depression or having their problems degraded.
A person does not “get over” the passing of their child or significant other easily, the same applies for depression. It is something that can take years to overcome, especially for a person who has been depressed for years. It becomes a part of a person, they get so used to it that they sometimes cannot imagine a life without feeling sad. Something they may not be able to remember is how they’re life was before this wave of sadness washed over them, consuming their thoughts and controlling their actions. It is even harder when the person is not receiving the assistance and support that they need. Others, especially those who know someone who is depressed need to come to realize that what they say can affect a person emotionally. Those of all people should be able to support the said person they care about, not necessarily comprehend what they feel but at the very least attempt to comfort them.
Figure 1
Trapped Inside
http://www.flickr.com/photos/monstarart/3175398334/in/faves-epicuriouseliane/
Trapped Inside
http://www.flickr.com/photos/monstarart/3175398334/in/faves-epicuriouseliane/
Figure 1 depicts a person trapped inside what can be interpreted as their own mind. They may have been searching for a door to use as an escape and can’t seem to manage to find their way out. They’re trapped. That is an example of how depression may feel like for some people. They may feel trapped in the dark recessive of their own mind, screaming and searching for a way to escape their own personal hell.
In primary and secondary schools the term "emo" is heard often. This term frequently refers to a person who is depressed, self-harms, wears black clothes, or listens to a specific genre or band. Depression appears to have become the equivalent of all of the above to a good portion of adolescents. The term “emo” is short for emotional, from that perspective everyone could be “emo” because everybody gets emotional every now and then. Not every individual has a stoic personality. How it became associated with self-harm and depression is unknown.
Regardless of that, not everyone who is depressed harms themselves, there are those who consume alcohol, write poetry and talk about their problems. There is no need for generalization. If anything this may be a result of lack of understanding and knowledge as to how depression works and the different ways that people cope with it.
How often do you hear about the affects depression has had on a family? Most of the time people concentrate on the toll it has taken on the said depressed person. Oregon Senator Gordon Smith’s son committed suicide the day before his 22nd birthday in a closet. The senator gave a speech about ten months later when he enacted The Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act, a suicide prevention bill that brought him to tears upon its introduction. He gave a speech that summed up his sons struggle with depression and struggle with his learning disabilities. (Kenen 46) Here is an example of a family that has struggled with the aftermath of depression. Ten months later the Senator still cried over his son, depression is something that leaves an imprint on a family especially when it goes to the extreme of suicide.
In primary and secondary schools the term "emo" is heard often. This term frequently refers to a person who is depressed, self-harms, wears black clothes, or listens to a specific genre or band. Depression appears to have become the equivalent of all of the above to a good portion of adolescents. The term “emo” is short for emotional, from that perspective everyone could be “emo” because everybody gets emotional every now and then. Not every individual has a stoic personality. How it became associated with self-harm and depression is unknown.
Regardless of that, not everyone who is depressed harms themselves, there are those who consume alcohol, write poetry and talk about their problems. There is no need for generalization. If anything this may be a result of lack of understanding and knowledge as to how depression works and the different ways that people cope with it.
How often do you hear about the affects depression has had on a family? Most of the time people concentrate on the toll it has taken on the said depressed person. Oregon Senator Gordon Smith’s son committed suicide the day before his 22nd birthday in a closet. The senator gave a speech about ten months later when he enacted The Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act, a suicide prevention bill that brought him to tears upon its introduction. He gave a speech that summed up his sons struggle with depression and struggle with his learning disabilities. (Kenen 46) Here is an example of a family that has struggled with the aftermath of depression. Ten months later the Senator still cried over his son, depression is something that leaves an imprint on a family especially when it goes to the extreme of suicide.
Figure 2
http://mitalk.umich.edu/article/16
http://mitalk.umich.edu/article/16
Figure 2 shows a man standing in front of the mirror looking at his reflection, his reflection appears to be screaming and covering his face as if he is in pain. The background appears to be a room where the walls are deteriorating, perhaps a hoary apartment or home. In reality the man is just keeling staring at himself but in his mind he is screaming. This is an example of how depression may appear. On the outside the person may give the impression that they are normal, when you look deeper though you can see the cracks. On the inside this man is screaming in pain.
Depression is tough to cope with; it’s tough on the person and their loved ones. There is no direct way to “cure” or get over depression, it takes time, effort, and the support of others. Teenagers need to realize that depression does not equal self- harm; it is not set in stone that a person who is depressed always self-harms. Also, depression does not only affect the one depressed, it takes a toll on their loved ones as well. A factor that plays a large role in all these issues is a lack of understanding. Research and comprehension is required when it comes to this topic.
Depression is tough to cope with; it’s tough on the person and their loved ones. There is no direct way to “cure” or get over depression, it takes time, effort, and the support of others. Teenagers need to realize that depression does not equal self- harm; it is not set in stone that a person who is depressed always self-harms. Also, depression does not only affect the one depressed, it takes a toll on their loved ones as well. A factor that plays a large role in all these issues is a lack of understanding. Research and comprehension is required when it comes to this topic.