Research Log #1 - Solutionary Project 2021

Date: 4 January 2021

Name: Alexis Downing
Central Question: Why are so many mental illnesses going untreated?
Thesis: Even though mental health is a talked-about topic so many people are going untreated especially during the
pandemic. Moving forward, the state needs to raise awareness of the issue and provide no-cost care.
Essay Sections:
#1 What is the problem? What are the systemic causes? Who is hurt and who benefits? (Use three sources.)
#2: What has been and is being done? (Use two sources.)
#3: What do you think should be done and what do you intend to do? (Use one source.)

In which section will you use this source? #1 What is the problem?

Excerpts:
At the beginning of the article, Abbot states, "Researchers worldwide are investigating the causes and impacts of this
stress, and some fear that the deterioration in mental health could linger long after the pandemic has subsided."

Abbott then backs her statement with, "More than 42% of people surveyed by the US Census Bureau in December
reported symptoms of anxiety or depression in December, an increase from 11% the previous year. Data from other
surveys suggest that the picture is similar worldwide."

Clinical Psychologist Luana Marques from Harvard Medical does not think that, "this is going to go back to baseline
anytime soon,"

Abbot then focuses on the effect on young adults. It is serious: "Studies and surveys conducted so far in the pandemic
consistently show that young people, rather than older people, are most vulnerable to increased psychological distress,
perhaps because their need for social interactions are stronger.

Commentary and Analysis:

The article provides information on how scientists are gathering research on pandemic caused mental health.
With the pandemic and so many people staying inside the number of mental illness have gone up. The major ones
being depression and anxiety.
Researchers all over the world are gathering information on all aspects of COVID-19 related mental illnesses.
Since the pandemic started in the US reported symptoms have jumped from 11% to 42% and in the UK from a 10% to
19%. Scientists believe that with the data they collect they can figure out better measures to take if another pandemic
comes along in the future. They believe the main culprit of anxiety and depression is isolation and the fear of being
infected.
They have started cohorts to combat the effects of mental illness caused by the pandemic. In 21 countries
scientists are studying health care workers and how the effects of seeing COVID-19 effects firsthand can diminish
their mental health. One scientist believes that the variations in different places are caused by the resources and studies
or the lack thereof.

MLA Work Cited:

Abbott, Alison. “COVID's Mental-Health Toll: How Scientists Are Tracking a Surge in Depression.” Nature News,
Nature Publishing Group, 3 Feb. 2021, www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00175-z. 

This is a reputable and reliable article because it was published in Nature and it is the world’s most cited scientific
journal by the Science Edition of the 2019 Journal Citation Reports.
 Research Log #2 - Solutionary Project 2021
Date: 15 February 2021
Name: Alexis Downing
Central Question: Why are so many mental illnesses going untreated?
Thesis: Even though mental health is a talked-about topic so many people are going untreated especially during the
pandemic. Moving forward, the state needs to raise awareness of the issue and provide no-cost care.
Essay Sections:
#1 What is the problem? What are the systemic causes? Who is hurt and who benefits? (Use three sources.)
#2: What has been and is being done? (Use two sources.)
#3: What do you think should be done and what do you intend to do? (Use one source.)

In which section will you use this source? #2 What has been and is being done?

Excerpts:
Cheryl King, a clinical child psychiatrist, stated, "About half of the youth who die by suicide have never received any
mental health services."

A statement was released by Michigan Medicine. They talked about the "new digital screening tool for use in
emergency rooms could better detect and prevent youth suicides."

"This screening tool," King stated, "has the potential to be a step forward in our effort to improve clinical care models
to adequately meet the needs of youth mental health."

Commentary and Analysis:

This article provides evidence, arguments, and research on Cassy. Cheryl King is a clinical child psychiatrist
hat is part of the research. The author used King as one of his main sources in the article. King has stated previously
that youth and young adults need help. They are going untreated and for the past few years the suicidal thoughts have
gone up nearly 60% partly because they are being looked past and untreated.
Cassy is short for Computerized Adaptive Screen For Suicidal Youth. With the introduction of this device in
emergency rooms, doctors hope they can help youth and young adults if they are having suicidal thoughts. The device
has an 88% accuracy rate. So many kids and teens cannot suffer alone. It could also lead to lower suicide rates in
young adults.
More and more doctors are putting people's mental health as a priority. The result of so many untreated mental
illnesses is suicide. This device has teens answer questions and it calibrates to what they answered. With the test
suicide numbers in teens can go down. Hopefully, this technology is the new wave to helping people not struggle alone
and the 60% increase goes back down.

MLA Work Cited:

Witsil, Frank. “Screening Tool Can Predict Teen Suicide Risk, Save Lives, Michigan Medicine Reports.” Detroit Free
Press, Detroit Free Press, 4 Feb. 2021, www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2021/02/03/suicide-
screening-teens-cassy/4369036001/.

This is a reputable and reliable article because is it the largest new outlet in Detroit Michigan meaning people trust it
and their sources are reliable.
 Research Log #3 - Solutionary Project 2021
Date: 15 February 2021
Name: Alexis Downing
Central Question: Why are so many mental illnesses going untreated?
Thesis: Even though mental health is a talked-about topic so many people are going untreated especially during the
pandemic. Moving forward, the state needs to raise awareness of the issue and provide no-cost care.
Essay Sections:
#1 What is the problem? What are the systemic causes? Who is hurt and who benefits? (Use three sources.)
#2: What has been and is being done? (Use two sources.)
#3: What do you think should be done and what do you intend to do? (Use one source.)

In which section will you use this source? #1 Who is hurt and who benefits?

Excerpts:
Schramm starts by pointing out, "despite everything going really well for John, he was struggling, fighting addiction
and gripping depression."

"because once John committed himself to putting his life back together – first physically, then emotionally, and then
spiritually," Schramm stated, "he found that there were very few resources available to someone who has attempted to
end their life,"

"Research shows that 19 out of 20 people who attempt suicide will fail but the people who fail are 37 times more likely
to succeed the second time," he emphasizes.

Schramm then starts talking about getting his life together. With no help: "And what happens when people try to
assemble themselves back into life, because of our taboos around suicide, we're not sure what to say, and so quite often
we say nothing."

Commentary and Analysis:

Even though people could have everything in the world doesn't make them happy. So many people go
unnoticed with mental illness because they have everything in life. This story shows that you may have everything, but
it doesn't mean you are okay. Mental illness is serious and if not helped it could lead to suicide like what John did.
People that have attempted suicide are just as important as those suffering from mental health. They deserve
just as many resources as everyone else. Their life was at the lowest it could be and resources are what help to get them
back. Without help people could be more likely to attempt again.
With people's attempts failed they could be badly hurt and need help. If no help is provided how will they help
themselves get better? 37 times likelier to attempt again is too high. More resources and centers should be provided so
we can help, and no one has to suffer alone with their pain.
Also, our society has put this almost negative outlook on suicide. Those who attempt and fail are on the
outside of the world with no help. They don't know how to ask or what to ask for and how should they know. They
shouldn't have to even ask for help, the help should already be there for them.

MLA Work Cited:

Schramm, JD, director. Break the Silence for Suicide Attempt Survivors. TED, Mar. 2011,
www.ted.com/talks/jd_schramm_break_the_silence_for_suicide_attempt_survivors?referrer=playlist-
the_struggle_of_mental_health#t-9559. 

This is a reputable and reliable article because it is directly from TED talks which are based on real life events and
collected data.
 Research Log #4 - Solutionary Project 2021
Date: 24 February 2021
Name: Alexis Downing
Central Question: Why are so many mental illnesses going untreated?
Thesis: Even though mental health is a talked-about topic so many people are going untreated especially during the
pandemic. Moving forward, the state needs to raise awareness of the issue and provide no-cost care.
Essay Sections:
#1 What is the problem? What are the systemic causes? Who is hurt and who benefits? (Use three sources.)
#2: What has been and is being done? (Use two sources.)
#3: What do you think should be done and what do you intend to do? (Use one source.)

In which section will you use this source? What has been and is being done?

Excerpts:
McEwan hooked the reader in with very interesting information. She said, "Mental health is fundamental to children's
social and emotional development, and therefore to well-being and function throughout their entire lifespan."

"Mental disorders frequently persist into adulthood and cause lifelong distress and disability," She continued.

"In BC, 15% of resources committed through the Child and Youth Mental Health Plan are targeted for disorder
prevention and other risk-reduction initiatives," McEwan concludes.

Commentary and Analysis:

In Canada and all over the world mental health is a problem. The thing is that it doesn't just stop at adults.
Anyone at any age can be affected. With children, if they don't receive help or get treated, I can affect them in the
future, and no in a good way. McEwan wanted to bring this fact to light for everyone.
If children don't receive the help, they need their future can be widely affected. So many kids with mental
illness are overlooked because people believe that they can't experience these things. So many kids suffer whether it be
with anxiety or depression or even a learning disability. Mental disorders also don't just go away. If not treated they
can continue like stated in the quote.
In British Columbia, they are working to help children and youth with their fight. The work being done might
be small, but it is still something. They are working to prevent a mental illness that could affect a child or even help
them if one does. I think that every country should help children and youth more than we do now.

MLA Work Cited:

McEwan, Kimberley, et al. “Bringing Children’s Mental Health ‘out of the Shadows.’” CMAJ: Canadian Medical
Association Journal, vol. 176, no. 4, Feb. 2007, pp. 471-472. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1503/cmaji.061028.

This is a reputable and reliable article because all academic journals are thoroughly peer reviewed, and the main
author has written many other reliable academic journals.
 Research Log #5 - Solutionary Project 2021
Date:
Name:
Central Question: Why are so many mental illnesses going untreated?
Thesis: Even though mental health is a talked-about topic so many people are going untreated especially during the
pandemic. Moving forward, the state needs to raise awareness of the issue and provide no-cost care.
Essay Sections:
#1 What is the problem? What are the systemic causes? Who is hurt and who benefits? (Use three sources.)
#2: What has been and is being done? (Use two sources.)
#3: What do you think should be done and what do you intend to do? (Use one source.)

In which section will you use this source? #1 Who is hurt and who benefits?

Excerpts:
"Thirty percent of humans or so are destined to be seriously impaired by anxiety," Mattu stated. (1:09)

He continued with, "The different types of anxiety disorders can be grouped by the kinds of fears that are involved."
(5:53)

There are many types of anxiety disorders. Mattu covered four of the most important ones: "Catastrophic fears, these
are beliefs that something really bad is going to happen." (separation anxiety). Fear of evaluation. That's the hallmark
of social anxiety, the most common anxiety disorder, a persistent debilitating fear of being watched and judged. And
there's selective mutism, inability to speak in certain situations. Fear of losing control. It's a big part of panic disorder.
You fear the loss of control that comes with panic attacks. Agoraphobia takes this to an extreme. You avoid public
places that might trigger an attack. And a fear of uncertainty, of not knowing what's going to happen. This area
includes generalized anxiety disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD, a fixation of impulse and thoughts.

"If you have a parent with anxiety, you're more likely to be anxious yourself." Mattu added on by saying, "and women
are up to two times more likely to have an anxiety disorder than men."

Commentary and Analysis:

The documentary touched on different topics about the brain. Anxiety is a common mental disorder amongst
people. There are so many forms and types of anxiety which makes everyone's symptoms different. With this high
number, people should not be ignored.
As stated in the second quote the different types of anxiety are grouped by the fear you have. This fear can be
something big or something little that can induce say an anxiety attack in some people. There is no one type of anxiety
and people tend to forget that. It's important to focus on what is causing people's anxiety to trigger and to try and help
them.
My favorite quote from the documentary would be Mattu explaining the different types of anxiety. Most
people typically don't know that there are at least four different categories your anxiety can be put into. Each category
of anxiety has its own fear associated with it. Each fear or disorder is tied to a type of anxiety and treated that way. So
many people don't go treated because they don't ask for help and assume that can't receive any help.

MLA Work Cited:

“The Mind, Explained.” Netflix Official Site, 12 Sept. 2019, www.netflix.com/watch/81062190?trackId=200257859.

This is a reputable and reliable article because most documentaries are reliable source even though it is only from
one perspective and a lot of the people interviewed are reliable sources in the mental health field.
 Research Log #6 - Solutionary Project 2021
Date:
Name:
Central Question: Why are so many mental illnesses going untreated?
Thesis: Even though mental health is a talked-about topic so many people are going untreated especially during the
pandemic. Moving forward, the state needs to raise awareness of the issue and provide no-cost care.
Essay Sections:
#1 What is the problem? What are the systemic causes? Who is hurt and who benefits? (Use three sources.)
#2: What has been and is being done? (Use two sources.)
#3: What do you think should be done and what do you intend to do? (Use one source.)

In which section will you use this source? #3 What do you think should be done?

Excerpts:
The article began with an overview of mental health. Which included, "People with severe mental illness die up to 20
years younger, have higher unemployment and are poorer than the rest of the population."

"Promote multi-stakeholder collaboration to advance local, national and global efforts in favor of good mental health,"
Candeias said for her first point to combat mental health.

"Improve access to mental healthcare and encourage the development of novel drugs and therapies for the treatment of
mental health conditions," she continued on with

She ended her points by saying, "Increase the number of mental health specialists and train non-specialists to deliver
mental healthcare at the community level."

Commentary and Analysis:

It has been proven that if you suffer from a severe mental illness you are more likely to die younger. They also
have a higher unemployment rate and are poorer than most people. They get brushed aside for something they have no
control over. These people need to be helped so we don't lose the 20 years sooner and their financial problems don't
worsen their mental illness.
A step to help combat mental health would be coming together. All stakeholders need to come together and
working together could then go to those suffering. So many countries aren't engaging in plans to help with mental
health. I think every country needs to come together to solve this one common problem.
By improving access to mental healthcare so many more people could get help, and no one would have to
suffer. According to the article, 75% LMICs have no access to mental health treatment. Mental health treatment should
be just as universal and any other treatment. Even in advanced countries like here, one in five adults doesn't receive the
mental health treatment they need. There also needs to be more drugs to help people cope with these illnesses they
have to deal with.
Having more people that can help will make everything better. The ability to help people living on the street
that are dealing with mental health issues or even people living in homes. The global median of mental healthcare
workers is nine for every 100,000 people which is nowhere near enough. We also need it to be easier and for people to
feel safe to go to someone. A big problem in teens is that they don't feel safe going to someone for help.

MLA Work Cited:

Written by Vanessa Candeias, Senior Director. “Here Are Five Ways We Can Make Mental Healthcare Better.” World
Economic Forum, 2018, www.weforum.org/agenda/2018/11/five-ways-mental-health-care-better-depression/.

This is a reputable and reliable article because the World Economic Forum had ties with the United Nations and now
the Swiss Federal Council and they were also founded in Switzerland.