Final Project Proposal: Stigma Associated with Depression
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Abstract
The rates of people suffering from depression have significantly increased within the last few years, based on statistical data carried out in the previous ten years.
It is crucial for every individual literate or illiterate, to evaluate and understand some of the factors that worsen the situation of people living with depression.
Some of the factors include; rejection by immediate family members and society, self-stigma, and inappropriate methods of treatment, among others.
Any concerned researcher or scholar should remain dedicated to coming up with strategies that can be used to manage the situation because the rate of increase in suicidal deaths is alarming.
Victims exposed to stigmatization after falling into the depression are more likely to commit suicide if their situation gets to extremes than those who find a haven at the hands of family members and immediate neighbors.
The use of reliable and authentic data from governmental and non-governmental organizations was used to establish some of the contributing factors that have become a common cause.
Some of the effects of depression include divorcing intimate partners, soar relationships with children, inability to care about personal hygiene, unannounced home departures, and suicidal thought and actions in case of extreme conditions.
These reports represent available secondary data from organizations like the Centre for Disease Control, Amnesty International, the United States Veteran association, and the World Health Organization.
The study compromised 100 individuals who at some time in their life have experienced firsthand experience with depression (Ibrahim et al., 2019).
The behavioral patterns will sample victims from various states in America, and the biological or foster parents of the victims.
Each individual’s behavioral patterns were recorded within ten months while still under a depressive pattern evaluated by either a doctor or psychiatrist.
Documented results showed that people living under depression could explain their awful experiences either verbally or in written form.
During the entire evaluation process, our target patients had trust issues because they felt like it was a reoccurrence of stigmatization they had experienced before.
It was challenging to convince them that it is educative research that might help other people in the future.
Table of Contents
Validity and authenticity of available data. 6
Where and when was it collected?. 6
The legality of using available data. 7
Benefits and shortcomings of content analysis. 7
Statement of the Problem.
In the United States, there are growing concerns initiated by the World Health Organization that about 8 percent of America’s population is living with depression.
The rise of depressed individuals has come from the adverse effects of the pandemic (Campbell & Mowbray, 2016).
Harsh economic times experienced from job layoffs led most people to a depressing life. Furthermore, the rise of domestic violence within the same period led to the termination of many relationships.
Depression is a priority condition taken care of by WHO’s Mental Health Gap Action Program.
The program has the aim of helping people recover from post-pandemic trauma.
Furthermore, they plan on enlightening immediate family members and society on how to embrace such victims into the community (LeMoult & Gotlib, 2019).
I propose to examine the reasons behind the discrimination of victims by society and family members and suggest ways to address the issue.
I propose to use available data to establish some of the root causes.
Methodology
Content Analysis
In my project, I propose to use content analysis as my primary research method.
WHO’s proposal of rolling out campaigns on enlightening people about discrimination of stigma has been received in diverse ways.
For instance, through mass media, religious leaders gave their views concerning the program citing that it may brand them as an institution that has neglected those in need within society (Torevell, 2019).
Also, I will consider analyzing verbal and written reactions from the public through social media.
Why use content analysis in the Final Project Proposal?
Considering the urgency of the issue and the limited time available, I prefer using content analysis because it allows for qualitative and quantitative analysis within a short period.
Also, the research model provides a platform for the researcher to try to evaluate complex models tagged along with human thoughts.
Time limit
The research question is one of the most pressuring issues in the WHO’s medical list of action.
I plan to conduct my research speedily and accurately so that my project may count during the enrollment of their program.
I am planning on using ten months to complete the study. I propose to use the first four months to analyze available medical records on patients with depression.
For the next three months, I plan on interviewing victims who are yet to receive medical attention.
Furthermore, I will use the same period to collect views from members of society who feel that they have rejected one or multiple victims.
I will use the remaining four months to analyze and compile collected data and present it as a complete research project report adequate to address the issue by the end of the ten months.
Validity and Authenticity of the Data for the Final Project
How was it collected?
Available data from various health institutions was collected using both quantitative and qualitative research methods.
Based on quantitative analysis, WHO proposes that those likely to receive medical attention and provide education to their immediate society are those who have tried to seek help from medical facilities.
On a qualitative basis, WHO considered the mass media reaction they received from the public after announcing their plans about stigmatized victims of depression.
Where and when was it collected?
Appropriate data was collected from stigmatized depression patients from various states in America (Brower, 2021).
Besides, public opinion through mass media was a significant statistic. One week after WHO announced its plans concerning a depressing world, I collected the data.
The legality of using available data
To use available data, I obtained a legal permit from the Health Records Department of respective states.
Harm and Benefits
My research may emotionally affect my target victims, patients, and members of society by triggering memories of rejection on patients and vice versa.
On the other hand, victims of depression may get medical attention from WHO’s program leading to their full recovery.
Also, members of society will benefit from educative programs on handling victims of depression in the future other than stigmatizing them.
Benefits and shortcomings of content analysis
Benefits
Allows close contact with the actual source of information
Simple to integrate with other research methods.
A budget-friendly method of research.
Shortcomings
Rigid to turn to automated formats.
Exhaustive, especially under a short time limit.
References
Brower, K. J. (2021). The professional stigma of mental health issues: physicians are both the cause and solution. Academic medicine, 96(5), 635.
Campbell, R. D., & Mowbray, O. (2016). The stigma of depression: Black American experiences. Journal of Ethnic & Cultural Diversity in Social Work, 25(4), 253-269.
Ibrahim, N., Amit, N., Shahar, S., Wee, L. H., Ismail, R., Khairuddin, R., & Safien, A. M. (2019). Do depression literacy, mental illness beliefs and stigma influence mental health help-seeking attitude? A cross-sectional study of secondary school and university students from B40 households in Malaysia. BMC public health, 19(4), 1-8.
LeMoult, J., & Gotlib, I. H. (2019). Depression: A cognitive perspective. Clinical Psychology Review, 69, 51-66.
Torevell, D. (2019). A Catholic approach to youth depression–implications for those working in Catholic schools, colleges and universities. International Studies in Catholic Education, 11(2), 233-246.