English for Purposive Communication

MODULE 7-Communication for Academic Purposes

ANSWER SHEET
Lesson 7.5 Enabling Assessment

Names: Bulosan, Gabriel T.

Miñano, Gwyneth V.
Sanchez, Neve Arianne M.

A Multimodal Advocacy Campaign

about Depression: You Are Not Alone

I. INTRODUCTION

A. Background of the Issue

It is human nature to possess a need to be a part of a community of people, an entirety

that each individual can connect. In isolation, people lose this essential connection and suffer
from their aloneness. Recent generations of people transitioning into adulthood, involving those
in ranges 18 to 29 years old, have been recognized to express sudden mood changes in varying
aspects of life such as one’s social relationships, work, and school (CDC, 2020). In their
circumstances, they come to experience seclusion in social spaces that need person-to-person
interaction, therefore causing adverse effects on their overall mental health. According to the
National Institute of Mental Health (2023), depression can be diagnosed to anyone that exhibits
these symptoms, regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, and gender. This reveals the urgency of
addressing how impactful depression can be in our society while in the condition of a weakened
mind and body.

A sudden loss of intrigue or pleasure in doing activities, poor concentration,

hopelessness, a feeling of low self-worth, and thoughts of dying are some of the defining traits of
severe despondency and dejection that determine a depressed person (WHO, 2023). Knowing
what causes these detrimental changes requires observation of the complex interaction of three
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factors, namely: social, psychological, and biological, as one cause is insufficient to define all
cases (Puyat et al., 2021) mention that 1 in 10 adults in the Philippines is likely to suffer
moderate to severe depressive episodes, with a higher prevalence of females compared to male
Filipinos. In our country, the occupancy of urban areas, frequentness of marital problems, and
lack of proper education have been determined to be the major predictors of depression. Recent
quarantine impositions have overwhelmed our healthcare systems with poor management, setting
back the capacity of our able-bodied workers in the economy (Arevalo et al., 2022). The
surrounding stigma regarding mental illness also does not help the struggle in facing these
conditions. Depression weighs heavily on the emergence of mental diseases, as it strikes
indiscriminately, leaving behind a distorted state of mind in those unable to handle it.

Individuals with a serious mental condition had significantly lower levels of employment
before, and especially after, the diagnosis of their disorder (Hakulinen et al., 2020). Their entire
income was mostly derived from transfer payments, and those diagnosed with schizophrenia
were the most impacted. More than half of these people had no employment earnings after being
diagnosed with a mental condition. "It is recognized as a serious health condition by our own
Department of Health (DOH), and the weight of haplessness, hopelessness, and
helplessness—the three dreaded 'H' symptoms of depression—gravitate towards what is now the
new high-risk group: the young population," she stated. According to Robes, eight out of every
100,000 Filipinos commit suicide, citing a 2017 World Health Organization data. This statistic
includes six males and two girls between the ages of 15 and 29. According to the same survey, an
estimated 3,000 individuals globally commit suicide every day, or one every 40 seconds. The
study, according to Robes, ascribed the rise in suicide cases to social media, changing lifestyles,
and a loss of family and community support, which resulted in a convergence of "risk factors"
like social alienation and a weakening of "helpful factors" like real connections and healthy lives.
"Many of them lack a sense of purpose in life, and they are experiencing disconnect and
deteriorating relationships as a result of social media and technology." At home, relationships
and guidance may suffer as well if parents do not spend enough time with their children owing to
a hectic schedule or if one or both parents work overseas," the senator bemoaned. She also
mentioned that school is a cause of severe stress. Robes has requested his colleagues in Congress
to approve legislation that would reinstate values education as a stand-alone topic in elementary
and secondary school curricula. She also remarked that legislation on safe social media usage
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among young people should be established. Robes also promised to call for a congressional
investigation into the design and content of senior high school curricula, as well as an
investigation into the age-appropriacy of difficult subjects like calculus, statistics, and research,
as well as the exercise of its oversight powers over the implementation of Republic Act 11036,
also known as the Philippine Mental Health Law. She also urged the DOH to accelerate the
implementation of RA 11036, notably the establishment of powerful and extensively publicized
anti-suicide helplines. "The Department must also be urged to implement community-based
mental health programs with the same zeal and determination that it has demonstrated in
championing anti-AIDS, anti-dengue, and anti-Japanese encephalitis campaigns," she said. The
legislator also asked religious institutions, civil society groups, and business enterprises to assist
address these emerging issues through counseling, stress debriefing, and the introduction of
helplines for young people. Finally, she proposed relaxing the licensure requirements for
guidance counselors to allow public schools to recruit the necessary number of guidance
counselors to assist children with mental health difficulties (Punay, 2019).

Why does depression need to be addressed? Depressive disorders should be treated.

Depression is more than simply a mental illness. Severe depression may cause physical
conditions including muscular pain, digestive problems, and lack of sleep. Even though these
issues might not seem significant if they just last a few days, the impact of a depressed episode
can endure for months or even years. A person's general health may suffer greatly over time as a
result of the physical problems brought on by depression. Depression has been linked to
permanent alterations in the brain. Furthermore, those with mental illnesses are more likely to
abuse alcohol or drugs. In general, sad people are more prone to develop a drug misuse issue
when they attempt to address their underlying untreated depression on their own. Dopamine
levels in the brain are often relatively low in depressed individuals. Our sentiments of happiness
and joy are caused by dopamine. Some medicines provide a brief increase in dopamine, which
contributes significantly to their addictive properties. People who are depressed may use
medicines to help them feel better. This is a precarious slope where things might easily get
worse. Early depression treatment can prevent problems with drug and alcohol dependence.
Moreover, some individuals refer to depression as a fatal condition because severe depression
can occasionally result in suicidal thoughts. People who are depressed may act suicidally as a
result of their sentiments of hopelessness, sadness, and poor self-esteem. The World Health
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Organization estimates that one million individuals commit suicide annually. It may be a matter
of life or death to get treatment for depression. By treating depression, people can regain their
motivation for happiness. Treatment may, at the most basic level, stabilize a person who is
considering suicide and provide them with the resources and support they require. Treatment for
severe depression is as important as treatment for any other health issue. Remember that if
depression is not treated, it might get worse and even be fatal (Advekit, 2019).

B. Statement of Purpose

This paper advocates for the education of the general public on the noticeable impacts of
major depressive disorder or “depression” on the emotionally vulnerable members of society, as
it is important to address the gaps in primary intervention for depression in the Philippines,
recognizing the reduced access for people in need of mental health care. Our motivation and
purpose in performing this project are to help combat the cause, the stigma, and the illness itself
for a future that socially supports generations on mental health. Our main action in this
multimodal advocacy campaign gives rise to more than information, but social attitudes and
consideration on the experience of depression, as we believe that it will be beneficial for the
common populace, governing bodies, and possibly worldwide cooperatives that put overall
health on focus. This advocacy stands on the core belief that being truly healthy means
possessing and achieving the balance of physical and mental well-being.

C. Method

The following are the step-by-step methods for implementing the campaign:
1. Establish targeted beneficiaries through the conduct of several surveys within the
campus of DLSU-D
2. Develop and post advertisements with the use of social media platforms for the
upcoming mental health fair.
3. Creation of platforms MS Teams or Google Meet, which will be used in the fair,
speaker series, and consultations.
4. Provide information on different aspects of depression with the help of mental
health professionals on public platforms of the campaign.
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5. Opening the speaker series with people who experienced depression.

6. Documenting the process to advertise and to help someone in need.
7. A free consultation will be given to the participants regarding depression.
8. Distribution of evaluation forms for feedback and suggestions.
9. Give awareness and knowledge by handing out brochures around the campus and
posting them on social media.

II. A Multimodal Advocacy Campaign about Depression: You Are Not Alone

A. Vision-Mission Statement

MISSION

The mission of the You Are Not Alone Advocacy Campaign is to expand the students and staff
of DLSU-D as well as the people near the area understanding of depression, encourage
individual empowerment, and increase access to treatment and support for those living with
depression.

We want to raise awareness of depression and encourage individuals to speak out and get help
depending on what they're going through by handing out flyers with all the information they
need.

VISION

Our vision is to improve the lives of those living with depression and to provide emotional
wellness for individuals as we strive to distribute brochures containing services and support
needed to improve the quality of life of DLSU-D students and staff, as well as people in the
surrounding area, who are suffering from depression.
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B. Objectives

General Objective:

The main objective of the You Are Not Alone Advocacy Campaign is to promote the emotional
well-being of students and staff in DLSU-D and people residing near the campus and improve
the lives of those who are dealing with depression.

Specific Objectives:

● to raise awareness and knowledge about depression in the target audience

● to inform the target audience on the various kinds of depression, their causes, symptoms,
and treatment options
● to emphasize to the intended audience that they are not alone and that their feelings are
valid
● to encourage the target audience to speak their feelings out
● to make it easier for the demographic to obtain help and therapy if they are suffering from
depression

C. Strategies

To accomplish our established goal, several strategies are put in place. The success of this
advocacy requires the timely implementation and completion of the following actions:
1. Development and maintenance of social media platforms able to reach people on a global
scale, such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
2. Development of a virtual Mental Health Fair in promoting factuality on major mental
health disorders.
3. Conduct lecture sessions in fortifying mental health knowledge and improving
recognition of signs and symptoms.
4. Publicize physical awareness brochures and informative texts detailing mental health
information.
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5. Organize and encourage youth groups into forming “safe space” sessions for
collaboration.
6. Organize speaker series that talk about real-life experiences, focusing on mental health.
7. Organize free consultations by assisting health professionals regarding depression.

D. Action Plan

Campaign Objectives Resources Target Action Steps

Beneficiaries

1. The goal of this Personnel: - Students 1. The team will

campaign is to raise - Mental and Staffs of conduct surveys
awareness and Health De La Salle within the campus.
knowledge about Professional University- 2. By using editing
depression. s Dasmarinas programs to edit
2. Another goal of this - Participants the advertisements
campaign is to help - Volunteers and brochures for
other people who Budget: the mental health
are in need. - 5,000 as for fair event.
the fee of 3. With the use of
mental online meeting
health platforms, the fair,
professional speaker series, and
s also consultations will
including take place.
the cost of 4. Social media will
printing the be the primary use
brochures of the campaign to
Materials: provide
- Computer information on
- Social different aspects of
Media depression.
- Online 5. Brochures that
Meeting provide
Platforms information and
- Paper knowledge about
- Printer depression will be
- Editing distributed within
programs the campus.
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III. CONCLUSION

In the hopes of promoting a healthier outlook on mental health, this advocacy should
prove to be a vital standpoint in combating the impacts of depression among young adults. This
proposal enables a campaign to help people in need, improve mental health facilities, and
encourage everyone to be aware of the mental health of other people. To reiterate, depression is a
serious mental health condition that can significantly affect a person's life. A high prevalence of
depression remains in the Philippines, access to mental health services is limited, and there is
still a significant stigma surrounding mental illness.

This information is communicated to targeted communities, in which they become

advocates, allowing them to make better decisions and effectively support others, as this project
hopes to achieve. Through initial recognition and openness, individuals that would later integrate
into social groups become bridges in accomplishing the several objectives this advocacy had set
from its creation. This MAC serves to be an effective way to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and
promote help-seeking behavior for individuals struggling with depression. The implemented
strategies of A Multimodal Advocacy Campaign about Depression: You Are Not Alone
intends to make these possible and seeks to pave the path to a better future in mental health.
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References

Advantages And Disadvantages Of Brochures For Schools And Colleges. (n.d.) B&B Press.
Retrieved from
https://www.bbpress.co.uk/news/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-brochures-for-schools-and-col
leges

Arevalo, M. A., Maslog, E. A. S., Flores, G., Manlongat, K. D., & Eala, M. A. B. (2022).
Addressing the gaps in the Philippine public mental health strategy. The Lancet Psychiatry, 9(4),
e17. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2215-0366(22)00040-2

Depression Support and Advocacy. (n.d.) Mental Health America Retrieved from
https://www.mhanational.org/depression-support-and-advocacy

Depression. (n.d.). National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression

Products - Data Briefs - Number 379 - September 2020. (n.d.).

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db379.htm#:~:text=Data%20from%20the%20Nati
onal%20Health%20Interview%20Survey&text=The%20percentage%20of%20adults%20who%2
0experienced%20any%20symptoms%20of%20depression,30%E2%80%9344%20(16.8%25)

Puyat, J. H., Gastardo-Conaco, M. C., Natividad, J. N., & Banal, M. A. (2021). Depressive
symptoms among young adults in the Philippines: Results from a nationwide cross-sectional
survey. Journal of Affective Disorders Reports, 3, 100073.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadr.2020.100073

Serrano, R. (2017) WHO “Depression: let's Talk” campaign can call for an end to mental health
stigma. World Health Organization. Retrieved from
https://www.who.int/westernpacific/news/item/07-04-2017-who-depression-let-s-talk-campaign-
calls-for-end-to-mental-health-stigma
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World Health Organization. (2023, March 21). Depressive Disorder. Retrieved from
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression

LaSov, A. (2019, July 02). Why is it Important to Treat Depression? Retrieved from
https://www.advekit.com/blogs/why-is-it-important-to-treat-depression

Punay, E. (2019, August 29). 3.3 million Pinoys suffer from depression. Retrieved from
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/08/29/1947360/33-million-pinoys-suffer-depression