Human Services - Depression

Depression

Introduction

Field of Human Services is quite broad professional category which includes the provision of services ranging from Counseling, Social Work, Psychiatry and Psychology. As implied by the above mentioned services upon the provision of which Human Services Professionals usually focus, the field of Human Services strives to improve the well-being of people; not only physical but mental as well and that too by significant magnitude. Individuals they mostly work with are suffering from depression among disparate other mental health disorders. Human services professionals usually work mental health clinics, community service agencies and hospitals in addition to working as private practitioners as well. They work to not only offer assessments to the patients but also are concerned with the treatment or the action plan that the patient should be required to follow so as to make sure they are improving; so as to make certain of their well-being as it is the prime aim of the Human Services professionals. They range from Counselors, Psychiatrists, Clinical Social Workers and Psychologists. This paper is focused on the problems pertaining to Depression that Human Services Professionals are presented with in dealing with their patients as it not only is a serious medical condition, but it also impacts he society in some way or the other. It is placed on priority among the Human Services Professionals and agencies as it triggers significant challenge to the relevant authorities and professionals, in terms of designing effective intervention strategies so as to tone down the impact that might be delivered by Depression. As mentioned above, the grave consequences of Depression does not remain restricted to the patient solely rather other elements in the surrounding of the patient are also severely affected, and this is the main reason that this is important to be dealt with on an immediate basis.

Discussion

Depression

15-20% of the adults over the age of 65 residing in the United States have experienced depression. This means that 7 million adults who are equal or older than 65 years have been suffering from Depression. Patients who are chronically ill and are suffering from Depression as well are subjected to higher medical and healthcare costs as opposed to those who are not chronically ill. These statistics apparently could lead most of the non-healthcare industry person believe that Depression is normal for aged and senior citizens and thus a part of the aging process. However, health care professionals would never concur to such an assumption. 7 out of 39 million adults aging 65 years or older are found to have been suffering from Depression.

Defining what is meant by the state of Depression or Depression precisely, it is a feeling that is characterized by persistence in sadness, anxiety, emptiness, hopelessness and pessimism. This is the feeling that takes over people dragging them into Depression. As described above, it is a feeling and so it might not be that easy to pick it up, recognize and subsequently treat it, particularly in the older ...