Helping Head Start Families Dealing with Depression
Head Start programs promote mental health in every family it serves. But for some families, Head Start may need to intervene to help address a treatable illness: major depressive disorder - often referred to as depression. Depression affects twice as many women as men and is a common disorder, affecting about 1 in 20 Americans each year.
Depression is more than feeling "blue" or "sad" after a loss or disappointment. It is a persistent, serious disorder which interferes with a persons's ability to complete regular, day-to-day activities and affects a person's physical health, feelings, thoughts, and behavior. Depression does not appear to be caused by any one factor, but by a combination of biological, genetic, and psychological factors. Extreme stress or substance abuse may reveal an underlying tendency toward depression.
Given the prevalence of depressive disorder, every Head Start program should be aware of this condition and how to help families receive services from community mental health resources. Head Start programs should work with their mental health professionals to plan how they will help families (and staff) affected by depression. Family service workers, who often have the most information on family needs should have the opportunity to consult with the mental health specialist when they suspect that depression or another mental illness is interfering with a family's capacity to benefit from the Head Start experience.
The information in this article comes from an easy- to-read brochure entitled "Depression is a Treatable Illness: A Patient's Guide," published by the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR), U.S. Public Health Service (1993). The 30-page brochure includes a depression systems checklist and brief descriptions of treatments. Programs may order one free copy of the brochure by calling toll-free 1-800-358-9295, or by writing to:
AHCPR Publications Clearinghouse
P.O. Box 8547
Silver Spring, MD 20907The following organizations also offer free publications on depression and other mental illnesses:
National Institute of Mental Health: (800)421-4211
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill: (800) 950-6264
National Mental Health Association Information Center: (800) 969-6642