Hey there, and welcome to Real Talk with Gen Z, a new podcast mini-series. This is a conversation show. Members of Gen Z talk with experts in mental health. They discuss the unique experiences of our generation and explore crucial mental health topics.
During the pandemic, over one-third of teens reported experiencing racism and the rates were highest among Asian (63.9%), Black (55.2%), and multiracial students (54.5%).
These experiences of racism can lead to poor concentration, memory issues, and feelings of isolation, among other things.
In this episode of Real Talk with Gen Z our co-hosts Simone Counts and Daniel Kim are joined by Dr. Sofia B. Pertuz, a senior advisor for the JED Foundation, to share their real-life experiences and discuss the impacts of race on mental health.
Host and Guest bios below:
Dr. Sofia B. Pertuz is a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) professional with over 25 years of experience leading strategic planning, assessment, and critical incident management for higher education, nonprofit and corporate organizations. Sofia is a senior advisor for JED, having previously served as JED’s Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer. Sofia is currently Managing Director for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Billie Jean King Enterprises and founder of Mainstream Insight LLC, leading organizations towards inclusive excellence. Sofia has presented keynotes and training workshops to international audiences on topics in culturally responsive mental health support, change management, social justice, racial equity, and LGBTQ advocacy, in both English and Spanish. Sofia has a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Communication from SUNY New Paltz and earned her master’s degree and Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership, Management, and Policy from Seton Hall University. Sofia also holds a Certificate in Diversity and Inclusion for HR from Cornell University and is a Society for Human Resource Management Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP).
Simone Counts is 25-year-old young professional and a mental health advocate who is passionate about achieving health equity, improving health outcomes and serving her community. In 2018, she graduated from Howard University with a degree in Health Management. She is an associate in the Leadership Development Program at CVS Health where she co-founded the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee. During her first rotation she supported the Aetna Mental-Wellbeing Strategic Initiatives team which influenced her to start a personal mental health blog called Everything Counts. Following her first rotation she supported the Aetna NY Medicaid Business Operations team and currently she supports CVS Health’s Workforce Initiatives Business Development & Special Projects team. In her current role she works to develop customized training & development programming to prepare people, especially those in disenfranchised communities for the workforce. The programs help break down some of the barriers people face when transitioning into employment. In her free time she loves to travel, be surrounded by friends and family and be active.
Daniel Kim (He/Him) is a University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Public Policy Analysis and minors in Statistics & Analytics and Chemistry (May 2021). He interned as a project manager with CVS Health and is now working with strategic insights for Aetna Mental Wellbeing, Behavioral Health. He’s an active member of the UNC community serving as a research consultant for cardiovascular disease in North Carolina and is passionate about mental health, technology, graphic design, and E-commerce.
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How to Treat Depression
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How to Treat Depression
If you have been experiencing depressive symptoms for a long time, you may be wondering how to treat depression. The first step is to recognize depression as a medical condition and seek treatment from a mental health professional. Treatments for depression may be psychological or include e-therapy. Depending on the severity, medical treatment may also be necessary. Psychotherapy can be provided by a mental health professional or can be self-directed. Some people can be treated for depression using a combination of lifestyle changes and medication.
A physical examination and lab tests can reveal depression. A psychiatric evaluation involves talking about the patient’s symptoms, thoughts, feelings, and behavior patterns. A questionnaire may be completed. Medical tests may also be performed to rule out other medical conditions that cause depressive symptoms. In some cases, a doctor may prescribe medications or alcohol for treatment. Regardless of the type of treatment you receive, it is important to seek treatment as soon as possible.
Symptoms of depression vary greatly among individuals. Some people only experience one depressive episode in their lifetime, but for the majority of people, depression recurs. It is estimated that twenty-one million U.S. adults will experience a major depressive episode in 2020. This figure represents 8.4% of the U.S. population. Depression is a common mental health problem for people of all ages, but it tends to affect certain groups more than others. Early childhood trauma can affect brain chemistry, which may lead to depression. Some medications can also mimic depressive symptoms.
Serious cases of depression may require hospitalization. A doctor may prescribe a class of antidepressants known as SNRIs. These drugs are known as tricyclic antidepressants and are effective for treating severe depression. However, these medications can be dangerous when taken in excess. And, they have many negative side effects. The best way to treat depression is with the help of a psychiatrist. When you seek professional treatment, make sure you know all the risks of these medications.
Seeking help for depression can be a difficult task. You may need the support of friends and family. If all else fails, you can also seek the help of a mental health professional. Depression is often difficult to treat and there is no sure-fire way to cure it. However, there are many treatments for depression and there are ways to help yourself. You can also try to manage your lifestyle. It may help you to prevent the condition from recurring.
It is not known whether or not genes are related to depression. However, genetics play a role. People with depression are more likely to engage in harmful behaviors such as risk-taking and alcoholism. The study also indicates that people with depression tend to drink excessively and use alcohol more often than those without depression. Furthermore, alcoholism can worsen symptoms of depression. However, it is important to seek treatment for depression as it can lead to other health problems.
