BEHS320 – Applied Final Project – Interview
Sample Answer for BEHS 320 – Applied Final Project – Interview Included
BEHS320 Applied Final Project Interview
A Sample Answer For the Assignment: BEHS 320 – Applied Final Project – Interview
Title: BEHS 320 – Applied Final Project – Interview
Mental health continues to be a genuine concern for individuals, communities, and governments. Unless people with mental health issues are understood, it would be challenging to provide them with appropriate help as conditions necessitate. To understand depression and what living with it entails, I interviewed David, a 37-year-old African American of low socioeconomic status. Health statistics show that approximately 7.1% of American adults experience at least one depression episode annually (Kalin, 2020). Experiences vary with age groups, and elderly adults are at a higher risk since depression co-occurs with other illnesses that increase dependence on families and friends. As the leading cause of disability in people aged between 15 and 44 years, depression continues to be misunderstood despite its profound impacts on people’s health, relationships, and productivity (Anxiety & Depression Association of America, 2022). The purpose of this paper is to discuss the interview’s core components: David’s challenges, coping mechanisms, the link between depression and socioeconomic status, and solutions from a healthcare provider’s perspective.
Challenges Living with Depression
I asked David to recount his experiences and the main challenges he experiences living with depression. He stated, “it is sad that many people do not understand depression and overlook its impacts.” Failing to understand depression implies that people with major depressive disorder and related health conditions do not get timely and appropriate support at homes, schools, and workplaces. David’s assertion is correct. Lack of knowledge about depression and public misunderstanding of people with depression are among the leading barriers to improving mental health (Yokoya et al., 2018). Many people do not recognize depression, the need for treatment, and how to help those in need. David blamed inadequate public education as the main cause of the low public knowledge. He suggested that “the situation could be different if there were adequate health education and awareness of mental health as with lifestyle diseases and substance abuse.” In this case, the situation can improve, but a better approach is needed.
When illustrating depression, many people do not perceive it as a disease from its manifestations. The problem is widespread in low socioeconomic settings where sadness, worry, and irritation are associated with harsh economic times and poverty (Schlax et al., 2019). When explaining his case, David noted that “depression is difficult to understand in families since its manifestations are behavioral and not physical.” Worse, close family members and caregivers who are supposed to offer ready help often feel irritated by the behaviors of the depressed. Such outcomes complicate the situation since the depressed person feels like a burden to other family members. Their relationship often worsens progressively, prompting the depressed person to seek external support.
David also narrated about stigmatization and discrimination as common challenges he faces regularly. He stated: “I am a victim of
stigmatization due to fear and misrepresentations of depression and other mental illnesses from people and the media.” David’s primary concern is how mental illnesses are misunderstood and whether the negative views will end soon. He noted that mental illnesses are represented negatively, which is the main cause of public, self, and institutional stigma. Health research provides a similar perspective to David’s observations and concerns. Yokoya et al. (2018) suggested that negative public beliefs about depression are the main cause of stigma and related behaviors. Stigma worsens depression and deters people from seeking help. Over 50% of people with mental illnesses do not seek help since they fear being treated differently (American Psychiatric Association, 2022). They fear because stigma and prejudice are widespread, and opening up about depression can make them lose their jobs and livelihoods. As a result, an educational campaign to reduce stigma is crucial to improve public knowledge and beliefs about depression.
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The other challenge that David highlighted was reduced productivity. He stated: “I spend most of the time worrying about my condition, engaging in self-care, how others perceive me, and taking medication.” Besides, “I cannot socialize comfortably or engage in highly challenging tasks.” David’s challenge is widespread in people with depression and has been at the center of clinical research. Typically, people with depression encounter numerous social, educational, and cognitive impairments (Gondek & Lereya, 2018). They cannot work for long periods and are highly susceptible to substance abuse. “I often go to sleep when feelings overwhelm me to relax and try lifting my mood,” David stated. The reduced productivity further increases the risks of economic hardships since people with low productivity cannot be relied on in the
workplace.
Coping Mechanisms
David has accepted his condition and views life positively. To understand how he reached this point, I asked him to describe how he copes with his condition to avoid its development to unmanageable levels. David stated: “reducing stress and promoting a positive mindset is instrumental to avoiding stressors that increase depressive thoughts.” As a result, “I engage in activities that boost my self-image and make me feel better about myself.” According to David, it is common to have low self-esteem when living with depression. Hence, adapting effectively and finding strategies to feel better is a crucial coping mechanism. David further noted the importance of positive thinking since it enhances positivity. When I asked David about what makes him happy overall, he said that “spending time with encouraging friends and family members surpasses everything else.” Unfortunately, they are not always available hence the need for other adaptations.
David is adequately informed about the importance of high spirits as a coping mechanism. When I asked him about his thoughts on the importance of social connections, he noted that they are instrumental in reducing depressive thoughts. David is right, and such an approach to depression should be encouraged. Santini et al. (2020) advised people with depression to avoid isolation since it intensifies depressive moods. If not socially connected, people with depression should stay active always. Productive activities include watching movies, walking, and catching up with a friend. Jointly or independently, such activities lift a person’s spirits and reduce the probability of spiraling downward into unmanageable depression.
The other thing that was encouraging with David’s overall lifestyle is how he has prioritized sleep and exercise. When I asked him whether he gets adequate sleep, David said: “although it is common for us to struggle with sleep, I ensure that I sleep at the right time and follow a regular schedule.” The importance of quality sleep among people with depression cannot be underestimated since people with sleep problems are more prone to depression and anxiety problems. Sleep problems also make depression unmanageable since depressed people with sleep problems have more severe symptoms and treatment challenges (Fang et al., 2019). Regarding exercises, David believes that exercising makes him stronger and forgets about his problem for a while. Hu et al. (2020) also underlined the importance of regular exercise when coping with depression since it makes depressed patients feel emotionally and physically better. It is instrumental in relieving stress and boosting self-esteem.
David exemplifies what positive living when someone is sick entails. In many instances, patients suffer since they do not understand their illness or do not embrace it as part of life. It is encouraging to see that David has accepted his condition and is determined to address it holistically. He also understands barriers to healing, including stigmatization and lack of social support. David’s coping mechanisms are centered on positivity. Exercising, active living and socializing are highly effective stress relievers. Health outcomes could be better if all patients understood the importance of coping and adopt appropriate coping mechanisms depending on the severity of their illnesses.
Depression-Socioeconomic Conditions Intersection
The other core element of the interview was the influence of socioeconomic conditions on depression. Health research shows a strong link between socioeconomic status and depression. The primary finding is that low socioeconomic status intensifies depression and hampers coping since it limits access to resources, treatment, and appropriate social support (Schlax et al., 2019). People’s knowledge of mental health varies with socioeconomic status. Kim and Cho (2020) found that depressed patients from low socioeconomic backgrounds are at high risk of neglect or abuse. They are also more likely to develop trauma and not seek early treatment. Since these setbacks affect their recovery, it was important to explore how David’s socioeconomic status shapes his experiences with depression.
Patients from low socioeconomic backgrounds are the most disadvantaged. David believes “a lack of money to afford daily basics when coping with depression hampers recovery.” Considering that people from low socioeconomic settings have low incomes, getting timely and comprehensive treatment for mental disorders is always a challenge. The other problem that amplifies the situation is low education levels among low-income earners. Besides their inability to access timely treatment, low education levels among patients of low-economic status adversely shape their beliefs about mental health. Like David, most patients from such settings opt for complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Since most CAMs are not scientifically proven, there is a high probability of slow or no recovery when using them.
Solutions from a Healthcare Provider/Aide Perspective
Like many other conditions, depression can be easily overcome with the right approach and reliable support. The patients also need to have a positive mindset, open up, and be willing to seek help when necessary. David believes “mental health problems disturb patients due to a wrong approach.” As a result, we explored the most practical solutions to enhance healing, promote holism, and prevent the recurrence of the condition. The first intervention that we explored from a health perspective was accommodations. Despite understanding many elements regarding depression, David does not adequately comprehend workplace accommodations and how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects him. People with mental health problems should request workplace accommodations to enable them to perform their roles more effectively (Mental Health America, 2022). David also needs such support, and I explained to him about the available accommodations and how to make a written request. Essential accommodations to help depressed people to manage their conditions and job responsibilities include a support person, flexible work schedules, and a private space (Mental Health America, 2022). When requesting accommodations, patients should identify their issues, specify problematic job tasks, outline accommodation ideas, and state that they are requesting support under the ADA. Such a formal approach will ensure that David gets appropriate and sustainable support.
The other intervention that we explored is support groups. I first asked David whether he is a member of a support group and the motivations behind it. He said: “I have joined a mutual support group where members inspire and encourage each other.” Through such platforms, patients can encourage each other and improve their coping skills. Sharing problems also makes people not feel alone. After David explained his position, I explained other options, including therapy and online support groups and the benefits of membership. Through support groups, patients gain a better self-understanding and more knowledge to handle challenging situations (Solari-Twadell & Ziebarth, 2019; Cascella & Stones, 2021). Unlike mutual support groups, therapy groups help patients to receive professional advice. Although a fee is involved, David should enroll in a therapy group for better outcomes.
We also explored the importance of self-care and the most effective strategies. Pilkington and Wieland (2020) defined self-care as individual activities for health management that include complementary and alternative approaches. When explaining coping mechanisms, David mentioned that he engages in exercises and prioritizes adequate sleep. Such interventions are crucial self-care strategies to empower patients to overcome depression. I advised David to consider reading health blogs, try art and crafts, and play creative games as part of self-care. Individually or jointly, these interventions will help David to reduce negative thoughts and think more about self-improvement and recovery. Importantly, he will minimize the risk of engaging in risky behaviors such as alcoholism and drug abuse.
The other solution explored during the interview is online resources. David believes “online resources can be helpful to patients with mental illness, but they need expert advice to use them effectively and evade the security and privacy risks.” Guided by this view, I explained the importance of online support groups, mobile apps, crisis helplines, and reliable options. A suitable option for David is the ADAA Online Support Group since it facilitates members’ connection and information sharing (Anxiety & Depression Association of America, 2022). With the widespread use of smartphones, information for depression management can be accessed through mobile apps. David’s concern for security risks is genuine since patients can be tricked into sharing private information by malicious users (Tangari et al., 2021). As a result, healthcare providers should help patients to choose mobile apps correctly. An effective mobile app for David is Headspace, which guides patients in conducting meditation practices to relieve stress. Another valuable platform is Crisis Text Line which offers timely responses to mental health victims during crises. The helpline also refers patients to the right healthcare professional depending on the severity of their conditions.
Conclusion
Healthcare professionals should be committed to understanding diverse patient problems and offering creative solutions. An interview is a reliable qualitative method for exploring a patient’s views, knowledge, and fears about a health condition. The interview with David helped me to understand his condition in light of common challenges, coping mechanisms, and the link between depression and socioeconomic status. From the interview, David understands his illness and uses multiple management approaches to suppress depressive thoughts and feelings. However, other interventions can be used to improve health outcomes. As a result, I offered advice from a healthcare professional dimension to enhance David’s recovery.
BEHS 320 – Applied Final Project – Interview References
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