Assessing Knowledge, Perception and Coping Mechanisms of Students towards Depression: Input for Establishing Intervention Program for Depressed Students in Selected Schools in Partido
Authors: Valencia Maria Leni D. , Abante Noami Nydia D. 
Published: December 2023

This study is entitled Assessing Knowledge, Perception and Coping Mechanisms of Students Towards Depression: Input for Establishing Intervention Program for Depressed Students in Selected Schools in Partido. Generally, it aimed to assess the knowledge, perception, and coping mechanisms of students towards depression as input for establishing intervention program for depressed students in selected schools in Partido. Specifically, it aimed to 1. Find out students’ knowledge and perception of depression, a. Causes b. Symptoms; 2. Examine the self-assessed degree of depression of students across sex, age, year level and family socio-economic status; 3. Assess the coping mechanisms for depression; and 4. Design an intervention program for depressed students in selected schools in Partido. This study was conducted in the selected schools in Partido district specifically in Lagonoy, San Jose, Goa and Tigaon, Camarines Sur since there were cases of depression among the students which have not been properly identified or diagnosed but needs to be addressed. The participants in this study were high school students in the selected schools in Partido who were identified by the key informants who were the Class Advisers and the Guidance Counselors. The sources of the data were gathered through survey (both online-using google form and onsite-in person-using printed copies of the survey questionnaire) and Becks Depression Inventory II (BDI II)/Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-DS) were also utilized. This study employed the Descriptive research design that aimed to systematically obtain information to describe a phenomenon, situation, or population. This study was conducted in the selected high schools in Partido District. It was during the height of the pandemic that this study was conducted where health and safety protocols were strictly observed, restrictions were set as per IATF Guidelines as well as the observance of the community quarantine status or alert levels. There were no in person classes in all the schools. The researchers visited the selected high schools to distribute the letters seeking permission of the school heads to be able to conduct the study. The subjects of the study were identified by the School Guidance Counselor who is more familiar with the cases of the students he/she usually handled in counseling. The authors resorted to the online platform using Google Forms since the respondents are just staying at their homes. The identified respondents were asked to answer the survey questionnaire through the links provided and was given to their School Guidance Counselor. Based on the findings, it is concluded that the respondents knowledge and perception as to the causes of depression are Other Personal Problems, Death or Loss of a loved one, Major Life events, Age-related depression and Abuse (verbal or physical) It was also found out that the symptoms of depression include Loss of interest in sex, Sadness, Self-Dislike, Loss of interest, Changes in appetite, Tiredness or Fatigue, Suicidal Thoughts or Wishes, Agitation, Loss of Pleasure, Irritability, Pessimism, Past Failure, Loss of Energy, Punishment feelings, and Changes in sleeping pattern. It could noted that the average score of the participants in the self-assessed degree of depression is 22 which is interpreted as Moderate Depressive Symptomatology or Possible major depressive episode in the instrument used (Anhedonia or dysphoria nearly every day for the past two weeks, and symptoms in an additional 2 other DSM symptom groups reported as occurring either nearly every day for the past two weeks, or 5-7 days in the past week) It is concluded that sex, age, grade/year level and family socio-economic status have no significant relationship or bearing to the respondents’ self-assessed degree of depression. Whatever are their present statuses, they have common responses. Based on the data presented, it is concluded that the coping mechanisms of depression include 1) when they feel down, they like going out with friends; 2) when something’s bothering them, they like to go out and connect with nature; 3) eating makes them feel good and makes them forget about their problems; 4) having a goal or a plan keeps them motivated to keep going; 5) like talking about their emotions to someone they are close with; 6) find it comforting when they spend time with their family; 7.5) disconnecting with the online world helps them focus more on themselves; 7.5) like to treat or pamper themselves whenever they feel down; 9) they tend to declutter or organize their things when there’s a lot going on in their head and 10) keeping journal and writing down what they’re feeling help them cope with sadness. It is therefore recommended that 1) A follow-up study regarding “Depression Among Students” be conducted to further determine the status or state of the students’ mental health condition specifically among high school students; 2) Conduct Mental Health Awareness and Assessment in the Secondary Schools to educate the High School Students about Mental Health and its related illnesses and assess the level of depression among the students; 3) An intervention program for depressed students be utilized or facilitated to further improve the conditions of the students’ undergoing depression; and 4) Send High School Guidance Counselors to seminars, trainings and workshops to further enhance their skills, knowledge and competencies in handling depressed students and other mental health related problems or conditions.