HOME VISITATION HOSTS SEMINAR ON DEPRESSION
By Harrison J. Bahe
On May 14, 2025, the Home Visitation Program hosted a seminar presented by Joshua Root, a licensed clinical social worker and clinical supervisor at the Wassaja Family Services The presentation focused on understanding depression and postpartum depression, with the goal of raising awareness and reducing stigma through education and support.
“Everyone experiences sadness at times, but depression is something more. Depression is extreme sadness or despair that lasts more than days. It interferes with the activities of daily life and can cause physical symptoms such as pain, weight loss or gain, sleep pattern disruptions, or lack of energy” (American Psychological Association).
Depression often diminishes motivation and contributes to a negative self-image and outlook on life. A key contributor to this is cognitive distortion, which the American Psychological Association defines as “faulty or inaccurate thinking, perception, or belief. An example is overgeneralization. Cognitive distortions are a normal psychological process that can occur in all people to a greater or lesser extent” (APA Dictionary).
Other common cognitive distortions include jumping to conclusions, all-or-nothing thinking, generalizing, mental filtering, emotional reasoning, magnification or minimization.
To address depression, there are three primary intervention paths. Outpatient Therapy is the current gold standard, particularly Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), as it helps individuals recognize and reframe automatic negative thoughts, building more constructive thinking patterns. Inpatient Treatment is recommended for severe cases, particularly when there is a heightened risk of suicide. This approach provides 24/7 care through a multidisciplinary team, including medication and therapeutic interventions. Pharmacological Treatment is often used alongside therapy, medication can help correct imbalances in brain chemistry that contribute to depressive symptoms.
Root also introduced the PERMA model, a widely respected framework for psychological well-being developed by psychologist Martin Seligman. Positive Emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning and Purpose, and Achievement: these elements help individuals build resilience and cultivate a fulfilling life.
The seminar also addressed postpartum depression, a specific type of depression experienced during or after pregnancy. It is classified as a Major Depressive Episode, with Peripartum Onset, meaning that symptoms begin during pregnancy or within four weeks postpartum (American Psychiatric Association, 2022).
Symptoms of postpartum depression include persistent low mood or loss of interest/pleasure, fatigue or loss of energy, insomnia or hypersomnia, feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt, impaired concentration or decision-making, suicidal thoughts or recurrent thoughts of death.
It is important to distinguish postpartum depression from the more common “maternity blues”, which typically resolves on its own within a week and does not impair functioning. “Maternity blues” may involve tearfulness, sleep disturbances, and mood swings, often related to hormonal changes post-delivery.
According to the American Psychiatric Association:
“Psychosocial and psychological psychotherapy is the first-line treatment option for women with mild to moderate peripartum depression, especially if mothers are hesitant about starting on medications and are going to nurse the newborn. A combination of therapy and antidepressant drugs is recommended for women with moderate to severe depression.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of depression or postpartum depression, please know that you are not alone. There is support, and there is hope. Reaching out can be the first step toward healing. To learn more about available services or to speak with someone who can help, contact Joshua Root at Wassaja Family Services. Call (480) 789–7980 or email JRoot@fmyn.org. Therapy services are available to both tribal and community members.