Introduction
What is depression?
According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, depression is, "a state of feeling sad; a serious medical condition in which a person feels very sad, hopeless, and unimportant and often is unable to live in a normal way."
Depression is a common mental disoeder that affects more than 350 million people. Persons of any age can be affected and may display signs of deprssion. There are different kinds of depression and different ways to treat depression. In severe cases, medication and constant monitoring may be needed to ensure individuls are not harming themselves.
Task
Throughout this webquest, you are to work with a partner to researh information about deoression. You and your partner will need to answer questions the questions below in complete sentneces. In addition, you will need to develop and create a plan on how you will approch your best friend; who you suspect is suffering from severe depression. This plan can be in the form of a letter, a skit, a video, ect,. This letter, skit, video, ect, should include the information you researched and prove that you have an understanding of how depression works and affects individuals.
Process
Step 1:
With your partner, reseach information about depression and answer the following questions in complete sentences:
- What are the two most common types of depression?
- What are some symptomes of depression?
- How many people in the United States are affected by depression? Of these individuals, how many are teeangers in high school (ages 14-18)?
- What are some causes of depression in young adults? Adults? Elderly?
- Why is suffering from depression dangerous?
- There is a corrilation between depression and suicide. Explain why this might be.
- What is the misconceotion about depression (menal/emotionally)?
- If possible, how can depression be controled or supressed?
- How should you apprach someone who is suffering from depression? (What to and what not to say to them)
Step 2:
Now that you have researched and have an idea of what depression is, watch this YouTube video (Watch the first 3 minutes). When the video is over, write a paragrapgh (each partner individually) on what the video was about and point out some factors that help to identify that she sufferes from drepression. (example: the dark clothing in her closet). This should be a least 6 sentences.
Living With Depression- Short Film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ae1VRr9-Rlo
Step 3:
Now, with your partner, you will need to take the information you've researched and prove that you now understand the affects of depression on individuals every day. You can write a letter, perfrom a skit, play a video, or come up with any other activity that displays what youve learned.
The Prompt:
You notice your best friend had been acting differently. She/He isn't wearing their usual clothes, they are isolating themselves from their friends, and they don't participate in the same activities they used to love. After learning about depresson in your freshman health class, you think that your best friend may be a vitim of the mental illness. You want to gyour friend so you plan to approach them and talk about the matter. You should be prepared so they will be open to the plan oc action tohelp them get the medical help they need. How will you do this?
Conclusion
Now that you have completed this webquest, you should have a developed and informed information about the different types of depression and the lasting affects it has on people. This illness can be controled with medication but often times the individual needs support from friends and family. Using the knowledge you know have, watch out for warning signs of depression. If you truly believe someone you know is suffering, tell a parent, teacher, or trusted adult to get the person help before it is too late.
Credits
"Depression Center: Symptoms, Causes, Medications, and Therapies."WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 04 Jan. 2015.