Claim: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is vital in treating depression in low income communities.

Reason 1: Doesnt have the side Reason 2: Less expensive than other Reason 3: Could decrease substance
effects of antidepressants treatments abuse and child abuse

Antidepressants can lead
to addiction
Have been linked to
increased depression
Easier to access for low
income communities
Many employers offer a few
paid mental health sessions
A leading cause of substance
abuse is untreated depression
Abuse of children increases
drastically in communities
where depression goes
unaddressed

A. Introduction
1. Depression among people in low income communities is treatable through Cognitive Behavioral
Therapy

B. Thesis
Reason 1: CBT or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can benefit patients from mild to more moderate types of
depression, without the negative effects of antidepressants. Studies have linked antidepressants to an
increase in depression and impact on health.

Reason 2: CBT can be a more affordable alternative than medications or other advanced types of
treatments. Some employers have a paid mental health component as a part of employee benefits. Also,
many communities are allocated federal funding that can be used for mental health therapy.

Reason 3: Depression is a leading cause of substance and child abuse. Using CBT in lieu of drugs will
prevent more chemical dependency and unsafe use in children

C. Closing
Funding CBT for low income communities will decrease depression and its effects therein

[1] Global healing center. 12 Shocking Facts About the Dangers of Psychiatric Drugs. Dr. Edward Group

published April 7, 2014

[2] Giovanni A. Fava Financial Conflicts of Interest in Psychology. World Psychiatry February 2007; 6 (1): 19-24

[3] WebMD.com Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression

 4/30/2017

Ronald Greenfield Jr

Why Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is the Answer

As a professional in the fields of medicine and health, I am proposing an effective solution to

the staggering depressions rates in low income communities. I would be remised to not point

out the personal motivation factor behind why I have taken up this cause. Being from a low-

income community myself, I have empirically witnessed the effect negligence which leads to

depression had on classmates and families. Some of the people who were a part of my

upbringing battled a series of traumatic experiences that critically affected their psychological

disposition. Perhaps had they had access or sought the counsel of a mental health professional,

they could have at the very least lessened the impasse of stress and trauma. Upon research, the

program I believe to be most effective in tackling this issue is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or

CBT. CBT must be used in place of antidepressants which is currently the preferred method of

treatment for low income communities. I will outline why I think it is imperative that funds

given to local municipalities, have allocated clauses for funding mental health therapy.

Depression has very negative ramifications on low income families whom often cant afford

treatment, or lack the understanding about mental health issues. Ive identified many beneficial

elements in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy that may help change that dynamic. Additionally, I

am going to make a case against the use of psychotropic drugs or antidepressants which in

myriad tests has been shown to had a profoundly negative impact on ones physical and/or

mental health. I implore our local, state, and federal constituents to support the initiatives I am
putting forth; and with your support we will see a marked improvement in the overall health

and well-being of our society.

Dr. Edward Group stated, In 2004, the FDA finally ordered a black box label on all

antidepressants to warn at psychiatric drugs increasing suicide risk in children and adolescents

[1]. This is extremely important to know when discussing various treatments for depression. My

program for utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy eliminates the risks associated with

prescribing antidepressants. Reports have also shown that antidepressants in some cases lead

to an increase in depression. While no method guarantees 100% satisfactory results in every

case, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy according to studies has fewer instances of increasing

depression as opposed to treating and curing it. I intend to cure patients using the most recent

technology available, while also employing the least residual damage as possible, without

compromising effectiveness.

In comparing different mental health therapies and treatments, I have found Cognitive

Behavioral Therapy to be the most effective. There also appears to be some very serious

conflicts of interests with the pharmaceutical industry and mental health physicians. This

information is something I strongly considered in my deliberation and had a major impact on

my final conclusions. According to Giovanni A. Fava The proliferating connections between

physicians and the pharmaceutical industry have brought the credibility of clinical medicine to

an unprecedented crisis [2]. In addition, many low-income families cannot afford the
perpetually increasing cost of prescription medications. My plan for Cognitive Behavioral

Therapy can be made accessible through already available health clinics and community

centers. In my research, I have discovered that many employers offer a few sessions of paid

mental health therapy to their employees. This in conjunction with my proposed program,

could help increase mental health awareness in these communities.

Low income communities across America and the world are mired with seemingly endless of

stories of abuses. Two specifically that I am most passionate about confronting is substance

abuse and child abuse. Depression has been linked to the prevalence of both abuses having

such an adverse impact on low income communities. If we can treat depression, the residual

effects would be a great reduction in cases of substance and child abuse. The overall

achievement of bringing us closer to a healthier society would be remarkable. I have found

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to be a powerful treatment in improving peoples self-esteem,

thusly changing their habits. The lives of children and victims of powerful addictions are

dependent upon funding a program to diagnose and treat depression. We must not take these

things lightly if we want to preserve the future of our coming generations. Children being

reared in broken homes under abuse are more likely to be commit crimes and be imprisoned.

We have measured the acute relationship substance abuse has on ones mental health leading

to a depressive state of being. The way to effectively combat abuse whether substance or child,

is not merely by inflicting tougher sentencing. We must attack the root cause and depression

has been a consistent variable in nearly every case I have examined.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy has proven to be an effective treatment method for mild to more

moderate cases of depression. A treatment plan that can also be flexible, able to be modified

based upon a patients need. According to WebMD.com The goal of CBT is to help a person

learn to recognize negative patterns of thought, evaluate their validity, and replace them with

healthier ways of thinking [3]. Although antidepressants have a history of effectiveness, I have

found that they also have a bevy of negative consequences. Especially in treating individuals

with substance abuse issues. We want to fund a program that is layered and flexible. We do not

want to inundate people with strong chemicals which can have devastating side effects or

create another dependency. Supporting my initiative for increased Cognitive Behavioral

Therapy programs in low income communities will greatly reduce depression. In turn, it will

create a more well-adjusted place for people to raise their families in. If we do not ensure that

proper funding is allocated for addressing the impacts of mental health, we risk leaving a

problem unmitigated. If we are serious about making communities safer, diminishing the

prevalence of criminal activity, and better education we must treat issues at their root. As a

professional in the industry of mental health, I have taken up this cause and I only ask that the

institutions therein assist me in performing this duty.