Depression is one of the major mental health conditions prevalent in the primary care setting. As a mental health problem, depression comes with a plethora of symptoms that include loss of pleasure, feeling of fatigue, tearfulness, and difficulty in concentration, among others. Research has, however, sought to establish a close relationship between major depressive symptoms and the occurrence of suicidal ideation. Research has established that suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people. Depression has been cited as the main mental health condition that predisposes individuals to suicidal thoughts. Depression creates painful emotions in an individual that could be overwhelming. As such, a person becomes more likely to see death as the only solution to their problems. Research has established a cause and effect relationship between depression and suicidal ideation, which is one of the major causes of death that could be prevented.
Depression or major depressive disorder is not only common but also a serious mood disorder. Individuals with depression tend to experience persistent feelings of hopelessness and sadness and could easily lose interest in activities that once pleased them. Research has also shown that depression could lead to physical symptoms, including digestive issues and chronic pain. The standard for the diagnosis of depression is outlined under DSM-5. Within a 2-week period, an individual must have experienced a host of symptoms, two of which must include a depressed mood and the loss of pleasure or interest. With the recent high rates of depression, especially among the young, studies have been placed on the role of mental health conditions, especially depression. Ng et al., (2017) in proving the severity of depression, says, "Major depression is a risk factor for suicide, accounting for up to 60% of suicides." Depression is a prevalent disease mainly affecting adolescents.
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Females are more prone to depression compared to their male counterparts. In chapter 10: Socioemotional Development in Adolescent, the author delves into the subject of depression among adolescents. He says, "By about age 15, adolescent females have a rate of depression that is twice that of adolescent males" (Hudson, 2016). The author continues by discussing the rationale behind depression and its causation of suicides. Although the rates of suicide are higher in adolescents, they remain very low during childhood. Hudson (2016) continues to prove his point by asserting that the third leading cause of death among adolescents in the United States is suicide. Another research conducted by Shahtahmasebi (2013) showed that about 80% to 90% of all the suicide cases that happen are due to depression. The World Health Organization (WHO) documents that most of the suicides that occur in the world happen in the low income to the middle-income families. The rates of depression tend to be higher in these regions due to the socioeconomic problems in these areas.
When discussing the relationship between depression and suicidal thoughts, it is important to note that the mental health condition is not an isolated issue. Depression can lead to other health-compromising issues, including the use of tobacco, unwanted sexual experiences, violence, and victimization, among others. As a result, these factors contribute to their increase hopelessness and despair in life, which could lead to suicide. Studies, especially involving college students, have shown that depression is one of the major causes of poor academic performances, especially in colleges. Therefore, such a scenario, therefore, means that these students are in a more vulnerable position which could contribute to the thoughts of suicide. Suicide attempts and cases of self-harm are also a major mainstay among adolescents and college students with depression. Studies have shown that female adolescents are more likely to engage in suicidal behavior compared to their male counterparts. This can be explained by the fact that males have better emotional skills compared to females.
Mackenzie et al., (2012) delves on the impact that depression can have on college students leading to suicide or suicidal attempts. In this regards, the authors assert, "Suicidal thoughts reflect the severity of hopelessness and despair that directly affects academic performance, relationships with peers, and risk-taking behavior." Therefore, when addressing the problem of depression, it is important to take a holistic approach that identifies some of the challenges that it causes a person. Several steps can, however, be taken to treat depression and thus limit the occurrence of the suicidal thoughts. The main method that should be used is therapy. Medical therapy will involve the use of antidepressants, which will impact the central nervous system, thus reducing the depressive episodes and mood instability that comes with the condition. Therapy can also take the form of counseling where the patients will open up with psychiatrists who will then enroll them into programs that will bolster their coping skills by identifying their sources of depression.
The impact of exercise in preventing depression and suicidal thoughts cannot be underestimated. Mackenzie et al., (2012) conducts a study in which he concludes by saying, "Our finding suggests exercise may be protective and thus helps prevent the development of depression in college students." Also, the importance of exercise and other physical activities stem from the fact that they give an individual the opportunity to interact with others and gain a positive view about life. It also helps to deviate an individual's attention away from the suicidal thoughts, thus helping them to choose life over death. Therefore, individuals with major depressive symptoms are not only encouraged to seek medical attention but also to engage in physical exercises. As previously noted, the rates of suicides secondary to depression are mainly witnessed among adolescents between the age of 19 and 25. Therefore, special attention should be placed on members of this generation through constant engagement and community outreach to educate them on the effects of depression. It requires collaboration between health care professionals, community leaders, and educationist to identify and solve the problem.
In conclusion, research has established a cause and effect relationship between depression and suicidal ideation, which is one of the major causes of death that could be prevented. It is beyond any reasonable doubt that the major depressive condition is a primary cause of suicidal thoughts, especially among adolescents. As a medical condition, it imparts a sense of hopelessness, despair, and instability in an individual, which increases their tendency towards self-harm and self-inflicted death. However, depression is one of the most easily managed mental health conditions that could be resolved through medication and other forms of therapy. Therefore, through treatment, counselling, and exercise, individuals are better placed to receive much-needed coping skills, which will enable them to stay away from the adverse effects of depression. More emphasis should be placed on public education that targets the younger generation who are more predisposed to the problem.
References
Hudson (2016). Chapter 10: Socioemotional Development in Adolescent
Mackenzie, S., Wiegel, J. R., Mundt, M., Brown, D., Saewyc, E., Heiligenstein, E. ... & Fleming, M. (2011). Depression and suicide ideation among students accessing campus health care. American journal of Orthopsychiatry, 81(1), 101.
Ng, C. W. M., How, C. H., & Ng, Y. P., (2017). Depression in primary care: assessing suicide risk. Singapore medical journal, 58(2), 72.
Shahtahmasebi, S., (2013). Examining the claim that 80–90% of suicide cases had depression. Frontiers in public health, 1, 62.
