When working with adolescents you will likely be faced with issues of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation and even attempts. For youth between the ages of 10 and 24, suicide is the third leadin
Discussion 2: Depression and Suicide Intervention
When working with adolescents you will likely be faced with issues of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation and even attempts. For youth between the ages of 10 and 24, suicide is the third leading cause of death in the United States (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012). It is essential to understand the risks associated with teen suicide and intervention strategies to address this issue.
Respond to colleagues who identified a different client and provide feedback and/or support.
Support your responses with specific references to the Learning Resources. Be sure to provide full APA citations for your references.
Sando Faatazz
RE: Discussion 2 - Week 9
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Teenage depression is one of the under-recognized and undertreated mental conditions. Nearly 75 percent of adolescents who experience depressive episodes go untreated. If depression is not treated, it can lead to a wide range of adverse impacts on teenagers’ wellbeing. Beyond low educational attainments and poor psychological and physiological wellbeing, adolescent depression is also associated with impaired functions in the future. Also, teenage depression is linked to suicide. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, (2012), suicide is ranked as one of the main causes of death in individuals between ages 10 and 24.
One of the evidence-based interventions for depression is cognitive-behavioral therapy. It is a talk therapy that can help teenagers to manage their thought and behavior. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is based on the notion that negative behavior and feelings occur as a result of distorted beliefs and patterns of thinking, as opposed to the unconscious components of a person’s life (LeCroy & Williams, 2013).
Tiffany’s case presents a superb narrative of a teenager who is going through depressive episodes. When things in her house changed when she was eight, she started taking the roles of her mother who was busy abusing drugs and alcohol. The situation at home became unbearable when she was left under the care of people who would have raped her when she ran away. Luck was not on her side because she fell in the hands of a person who not only molested her sexually and physically, but he also introduced her to commercial teenage sex. The worst part is that she perceives her ‘savior’, Donald, as her lover and rescuer as opposed to a real rapist and a criminal. During her talk with the social worker at Teens First, Tiffani does not want to expose the negative details of (Donald Laureate Education, 2013). Rather, she expresses her dissatisfaction and anxiety with the street life and the fact that she was not able to have an independent life, let alone make enough money for her support. Tiffani has experienced enough depressive scenarios in her life. She feels unwanted, unloved, and stressed though she considers Donald a lover. These feelings can cause suicidal thoughts if sufficient intervention is not administered.
To help Tiffani from developing suicidal thoughts and major depressive disorder, I would establish a talk therapy aimed at helping her identify her negative thoughts and feelings. After bringing out the negative emotions such as the perception that Donald is her lover, I would constructively address them. One of the major goals for treatment would be to ensure that they make things right with her parents, particularly her mother and sister Diana. The other goal would be to reform from the street life and to prevent future relapse, we would work hand in hand in ensuring that she goes back to school.
Reference
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2012). Suicide prevention: Youth suicide. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pub/youth_suicide.html
LeCroy, C. W., & Williams, L. R. (2013). Intervention with adolescents. In M. Holosko, C. Dulmus, & K. Sowers (Eds.), Social work practice with individuals and families: Evidence-informed assessments and interventions (pp. 97–124). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
Laureate Education (Producer). (2013a). Bradley family: Episode 2 [Video file]. Retrieved fromhttps://class.waldenu.edu
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Christina Transgen
RE: Discussion 2 - Week 9
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According to the study by Paschall and Bersamin, approximately 23% of adolescent girls and 12% of adolescent boys were likely to have suicidal ideations due to major depressive disorders (Paschall & Bersamin, 2018). With this fact, the study examined the benefits and efficacy of providing mental health services in school-based health centers. The study also evaluates whether or not providing mental services in a school setting decreases the likelihood of an adolescent to develop depressive symptoms and/or suicidal ideations (Paschall & Bersamin, 2018). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) was one of the practices that was utilized during this study.
Tiffani Bradley is a 16-year-old girl who experienced traumatic events such as witnessing her parents doing drugs, domestic violence between her parents, being repeatedly molested by her uncle, and being forced into prostitution by a pimp. Due to her distorted perspective of what her role is within her family and society, Tiffani seems to have symptoms of low self-esteem and depression based on her situation. She seeks love and attention from her pimp, whom she believes is her boyfriend and does not realize his true intentions with her since she is fixated on the fact that he was her hero when she was facing danger and in distress after being inappropriately touched by her uncle.
Due to the confusion Tiffani still feels about her pimp and her family, I believe cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to be the best intervention for her. CBT helps the client by moving their dysfunctional system of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors into more functional system (Ruffolo & Allen-Meares, 2013). By applying CBT, Tiffani can learn to monitor her thoughts, identify her distorted perception of Donald being a valuable part of her life, and learn healthy coping skills with her feelings. I would also look into case management resources for stable housing, life coaching to learn independent skills, and family therapy to resolve her strained relationship with her parents.
Paschall, M. J., & Bersamin, M. (2018). School-Based Health Centers, Depression, and Suicide Risk Among Adolescents. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 54(1), 44–50. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2017.08.022
Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., & Brocksen, S. M. (Eds.). (2014a). Sessions: case histories. Baltimore, MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing. [Vital Source e-reader].
Ruffolo, M. C., & Allen-Meares, P. (2013). Intervention with children. In M. J. Holosko, C. N. Dulmus, & K. M. Sowers (Eds.), Social work practice with individuals and families: Evidence-informed assessments and interventions (pp. 41–69). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
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Teaira B
RE: Discussion 2 - Week 9
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Identify an evidence-based intervention that addresses these issues. Apply that Intervention to either the Brady or Tiffani case
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2018), youth violence is a significant public heath problem that affects thousands of young people each day, and in turn, their families, schools, and communities. Youth that are exposed to violence, are at risk for developing suicidal ideations and or depression. In the case of Tiffani, not only is she at risk for suicide and depression, but she also has a sense of role identity confusion, which could lead to deeper feelings of depression. According to Labelle, R. et al. (2015), Cognitive-Behavioral treatments are recognized as evidence-based treatments, aimed towards treating depression and alleviating suicidal ideations.
Describe the possible risk factors the client presents that would make him or her at risk for depression and suicide.
One risk factor for suicide in Tiffani’s case is she was a victim of child negligence and sexual assault. According to Plummer, S.B. (2014), Tiffani’s parents were substance abusers and often failed to tend to her and her younger sister, which resulted in Tiffani having to take the caretaker role. Also, she was sexually assaulted by her uncle and his friend. Another risk factor for Tiffani is her potential feelings of hopelessness. Not only is Tiffani separated from her “husband” Donald, but she also misses her sister. Due to being placed in agency, Tiffani has guidelines and is not free to see them as she wishes.
Plan an intervention for that client to address these issues.
In the case of Tiffani, I would implement the Role Theory and Concepts for her planned intervention. According to Turner, F. J. (2017), this intervention has applied role concepts, theories, and presumptions about roles as acted out, explicitly to address problems, risks, needs, harm, strengths, resilience, and human potential that persons and collectives experience or exhibit within the context of personal and social functioning, with a special interest in assessing and supporting changes in role functioning. As mentioned, Tiffani has an issue with role identity, and this intervention’s underlying theory is Cognitive Behavior Therapy.
Reference:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019). National Center for Health Statistics. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db352.htm
Labelle, R., Pouliot, L., & Janelle, A. (2015). A systematic review and meta-analysis of cognitive behavioural treatments for suicidal and self-harm behaviours in adolescents. Canadian Psychology/Psychologie Canadienne, 56(4), 368–378. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1037/a0039159
Plummer, S. -B., Makris, S., & Brocksen, S. M. (Eds.). (2014). Social work case Concentration year. Laureate International Universities Publishing. [Vital Source e-reader].
Turner, F.J. (Ed.). (2017). Social Work Treatment: Interlocking Theoretical Approaches (6th ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press
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Maralyce Taylor
RE: Discussion 2 - Week 9
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Post a review of the literature on adolescent depression and suicide and identify an evidence-based intervention that addresses these issues.
Youth and adolescents between the ages of 10 and 24, suicide is the second leading cause of death in the United States as of 2017 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2019). Suicide is the third leading cause of death in youth and young adults worldwide (Van Gerpen & Soundy, 2020). Our youth today continue to be bombarded with an increasing range of stressors that threaten to affect their mental and physical wellbeing negatively. Substance abuse, physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, bullying, cyberbullying are some of the stressors that our youth are regularly experiencing. Some risk factors for suicide include a family history of suicide, previous suicide attempt(s), history of mental disorders, depression, feelings of hopelessness, impulsive or aggressive tendencies, and an unwillingness to seek help due to the stigma of mental health treatment (Van Gerpen & Soundy, 2020).
An evidence-based intervention that addresses adolescent depression and suicide would be the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II). The BDI-II is a 21-question screening for those 13 years of age and older. It is a self-report inventory that assists in gauging the severity of one’s depressive symptoms. The questions are scaled from 0 to 2; a score above 20 suggests moderate depression and a score 29 or higher suggests severe depression (Van Gerpen & Soundy, 2020). Another evidence-based intervention would be the Systemic Behavior Family Therapy (SBFT). SBFT is an intervention for depression that combines approaches from other family therapies that treat adolescents’ dysfunctional families. Some strategies that are used in SBFT include optimizing engagement with therapy, focusing on communication, problem-solving skills, and identifying dysfunctional behavior patterns (Good Therapy, 2018).
Apply that intervention to Brady’s case. Describe the possible risk factors the client presents that would make him at risk for depression and suicide. Then, plan an intervention for Brady to address these issues.
Brady is a 15-year-old Caucasian male. His father, Steve, reports that he is irritable, impulsive, and gets in trouble at school often. Brady’s mother passed away three years ago but denies that his behavior is the result of her death. Brady stated he, and his father do not have the best relationship and that his father often takes his anger out on him and calls Brady hurtful names (Plummer, Makris, & Brocksen, 2014).
I would apply the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) and Systemic Behavior Family Therapy (SBFT) interventions when working with Brady and his father. Some of the risks that Brady presents with are the death of his mother, impulsive or aggressive tendencies, and increased negative behaviors. In Brady’s case, I believe it is essential first to implement the BDI-II on an individual level and then bring his father in to do SBFT. I would use the BDI-II for Brady as it is a self-report inventory and he may be more comfortable answering the questions on paper rather than in person as he may not be comfortable talking about it in front of his dad. The BDI-II will also be a great scale for the therapist to see as it will show the severity of his depression. I believe this would be a good tool to use if the SBFT is too much for Brady to handle and if he is not completely open and honest throughout the therapy session with his dad. SBFT would be beneficial for both Brady and Steve as it will give them a chance to open up to each other and possibly iron out any miscommunications they have had. SBFT will allow them to have a positive conversation and share their feelings and emotions so they can continue to work together as a unit.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019). National Center for Health Statistics. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db352.htm
Good Therapy. (2018). Family Systems Therapy. https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/types/family-systems-therapy
Plummer, S. -B., Makris, S., & Brocksen, S. M. (Eds.). (2014). Social work case Concentration year. Laureate International Universities Publishing. [Vital Source e-reader].
Van Gerpen, S., Vik, T., & Soundy, T. J. (2020). Assessing Adolescent Suicide Risk. South Dakota Medicine, 73(2), 82-86.
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Kelsi Bass
RE: Discussion 2 - Week 9
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Hello class,
When we think about depression and suicide in adolescent, we must keep in mind that they are limit in their experiences of life in general. It is these general life experiences that allows us the comfortably of saying, ‘no, I am not going to kill myself over that.’ Why do we make this decision? Is this the result of reasoning, rationalizing, and other cognitive abilities to picture a difference in emotional perceptional outcome of an alternative? This requires experiences with our emotional, which is missing in most adolescents.
Just from this stage of development; Erick Erickson, Jean Piaget, and host of other who view development as a process of stages; adolescents are cognitively unaware of themselves and are a period in which they are trying to understand not only themselves, but also their environment, and what it means to be just me. As a social worker, I like to examine how I would deal with an issue form the view point of what I did when I had such an issue.
Therefore, as I examine my own stage of adolescent, there is one issue that has not changed since my time. It is the issue of substance abuse. When examined from today’s view point, substance abuse plays a twofold role in the life span of adolescent development. One, it diminishes the need to deal with emotional context of interaction(s) and two, it is associated with more cases of suicide among adolescent. With this in mind, let us examine the case study of Brady.
The needed environment for developmental growth is not there. The father is mental sick due to a change in his environment and he is not adapting to the news changes. Then, there is Brady, 15-year-old, who has not developed the cognitive abilities to deal with the death of his mother, who was his primary caregiver. The father is a secondary caregiver, due to his gender role as male in society. Therefore, add the anger issue(s) of the father and the developmental issues of adolescent in this environment; violence, depression, internal and external demands on the new family’s new make-up, they both are in need of assessment (Plummer, Makris and Brocksen, 2014).
Thus, as a social worker, I would us Systemic Behavior Family Therapy first and then employ the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy approach on an individual basis. Start first with the environment in which the two individuals interact and then examine what each individually bring to the shared environment. Just from experience alone, adolescents a slightly, mild, or severely depress. The point being; they are depressed, which is due to this developmental stage, but to what degree? In the Brady’s case, I would say that he is on the mild high end of depression. Therefore, I administer Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-2 and the PHQ-9 as a second test for the father, once I got back a positive result from the PHQ-2.
Reference
Maurer, Douglas, (2012). Screening for Depression. Retrieved from http://www.aafp.org/afp/2012/0115/p139.pdf
Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., & Brocksen, S. M. (Eds.). (2014b). Social work case studies: Concentration year. Baltimore, MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing. [Vital Source e-reader].
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