Abstract
Problem Identification: Adolescent depression is a significant mental health concern characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in activities. In the United States, Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) affects one in five adolescents. In California, around 40% of high school students report symptoms associated with depression, with Sacramento County surpassing the state average, specifically in Sacramento City Unified School District.
Analysis:
The examination of the issue through the PRECEDE-PROCEED framework revealed several behaviors, such as social media usage, sleep patterns, and electronic cigarette use, that contribute to the development of depression. Also, environmental factors such as stigma, exposure to bullying, and urbanization were identified as significant influencers. Among these, social media usage and exposure to bullying were prioritized as focal points for intervention efforts.
Intervention Proposal:
The intervention aims to prevent adolescent depression at Hiram Johnson and West Campus High Schools by increasing adolescent in-person social interactions, reducing social media usage, enhancing awareness of implicit bias, and decreasing exposure to bullying. It includes mandatory weekly extracurricular activities, health education for students and parents, teacher training on intervention in bias-based bullying incidents, formation of an advocacy coalition, and policy implementation.
Implementation and Evaluation:
A team of adept public health professionals will lead this intervention using a quasi-experimental design. This design facilitates program evaluation by comparing pretest and posttest scores among experimental and comparison groups. This approach allows an assessment of the effectiveness of the intervention in mitigating adolescent depression risk factors and promoting mental wellness.