Poster 7

[P-7-05] Prevalence of Depression, Anxiety, and Suicidality and Level of Concern Over Issues Among Grade 9 to 12 Students at a Private School in Metro Manila, Philippines

*Kevin Patrick Porras Veneracion, Eleanor Lacuna Ronquillo, Belle Erika Nubla Gestuvo, Eleonora V. Gesmundo (The Medical City(Philippines))

Keywords:

High School Students,Adolescents,Anxiety,Depression,Suicidality

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and suicidality and level of concern over issues among Grade 9 to 12 students in a private school in Metro Manila. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was undertaken in April 2024 where a total of 332 students answered the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) Modified for Teens, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), and a rating list for common stressors pertinent to adolescents’ and students’ mental health (academics, relationships with family, relationships with friends, financial situation, sleep, bullying, and self-esteem). Total enumeration was employed. Self-administered questionnaires were distributed in classrooms with the help of the school’s year level guidance counselors. RESULTS: Consistent with previous literature, high rates of depression (57.2%), anxiety (49.7%), suicidal ideations (22.7%), and suicidal attempt (20.9%) were found. Multiple logistic regression revealed that moderate to extreme concern with relationships with family had a significant relationship across all four measures, followed by moderate to extreme concern with self-esteem (depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideations). Other significant factors included moderate to extreme concern with sleep (depression), with academics (anxiety), with financial situation (anxiety and suicidal attempt), and older age (suicidal attempt). CONCLUSION: The study reflects poor mental health outcomes in this sample of Grade 9 to 12 students, with concern with relationships with family as the most consistent significant factor, followed by concern with self-esteem. Students who screened positive for depression, anxiety, and/or suicidality were given appropriate recommendations (close monitoring, referral to a mental health professional or the nearest Emergency Room) through the school’s guidance counselors.