Suppressing Depression: Raising awareness for depression in teens

Authors

David Whittington
Hiwot Ayalew
Kierra Jones
Oscar Colindres

Files

Description

About 13.3% of the U.S. population aged 12 to 17 has been diagnosed with at least one major depressive episode [1]. 14.3% of the DC population suffers from diagnosed depression [8]. It is important to note that most people with depression don’t seek clinical help. Many factors lead to depression among teens and adults including poverty, unemployment, lack of access to health care, and genetics. DC is one of the most segregated places in the U.S. Employment rates, wages, parks, and museums are deeply segregated resources within different wards. Wards 5, 7, and 8 have the highest rates of depression among adolescents in comparison to wards 2 and 3. This is due to the lack of resources invested in wards 7 and 8 compared to wards 2 and 3 [1]. In this study, we evaluated resource availability in the DC wards impacts the mental health of adolescents. This showed us which areas in DC are greatly focused on and prioritized when it comes to the well-being of people. In our research we found that in wards 7 and 8, where poverty and unemployment are the highest, depression rates are also increased [1]. In wards 2 and 3, where employment rates and wages are high, depression rates are decreased[1]. Our main goal is to raise awareness of how these factors impact the mental well-being of adolescence as well as advocate for equity.

Publication Date

2022

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences | Public Health

Comments

© 2022 The Authors. All Rights Reserved.

Recommended Citation

Whittington, David; Ayalew, Hiwot; Jones, Kierra; and Colindres, Oscar, "Suppressing Depression: Raising awareness for depression in teens" (2022). DC Health and Academic Prep Program (DC HAPP). 16.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/dchapp/16

Open Access

1