1. Provide the title of your story or series and the names of the journalists involved.
"Understanding Depression at Midlife" by Cheryl Platzman Weinstock.
2. List date(s) this work was published or aired.
Nov. 1, 2010.
3. Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
The story is the first comprehensive report on the rise of midlife depression in women. New evidence reported in this article accumulated from several cutting edge landmark studies and extensive interviews with scientists suggest that the years leading up to menopause, or perimenopause, can cause a crucial imbalance of hormones that can influence the development of depression which is often ignored or misdiagnosed. This story also pulls together new research about other factors influencing the rise of depression in this age bracket, including a cultural shift in midlife women reflecting on their life and, if that doesn't measure up to some standard, they feel like they failed. Also, the extent to which genetics and other temporary health issues, such as postpartum depression, can predispose someone to midlife depression is evaluated. Most importantly, many midlife women don't realize they're depressed because many symptoms of menopause and depression look and feel the same and can confuse women. This story gives readers the tools to help distinguish between the two and get the medical attention that could change their life.
4. Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
This article took a year to report and accumulate evidence for. With the help of statisticians I went through years of census reports, SAMSA data, CDC reports and worked with the National Council for Community and Behavioral Healthcare to substantiate the rise in midlife depression and what the effects of the surge was having on local demand for services. I also read through scores of published papers that investigators sent me to help me understand the groundwork of how and why depression can develop in middle age women who are not otherwise predisposed to depression because of genetics.
5. Explain types of human sources used.
In order to find real patients to interview I canvassed the country for them by leaving my name with emergency room physicians to call me if they see a depressed patient in crisis. I also did the same with local psychiatrists, psychologists, employee health coordinators, community health centers, organization , such as the National Alliance on Mental Health. I also went on several chat rooms and posted searches for patients willing to talk. I received over 100 responses and spent considerable time interviewing the women to pick out those stories that were most poignant and served to show readers that if they sought help, they could be successfully treated.
6. Results (if any).
The story received many letters. Readers thanked me for helping them realize some of the symptoms of depression as their own and sought the medical attention that would change their life. I was going through menopause at the time I was writing this story and was so overwhelmed by what I learned and determined to make a difference in helping women get the the healthcare they deserve that I began my own series of "Shop Talks" at neighboring department stores to reach women where they work and shop to provide them health information they might be too embarrassed to seek themselves. Saks in Stamford, Ct agreed to host me on October 21, 2010. I put together a panel discussion on, "What Every Women Needs to Know About Mental Illness." With a small budget and little time for advertising, etc., I drew over 60 women to my lunchtime panel discussion on women and depression. At the end of the presentation several women came up to me and told me on the basis of what they heard that afternoon they thought that either a love done or themselves might be suffering from depression and they were going to seek out help. Also as a result of the presentation the Southwest Regional Mental Health Board agreed to help sponsor future "Shop Talks" about mental health in Connecticut. I couldn't ask for a better result of my story.
7. Follow-up (if any). Have you run a correction or clarification on the report or has anyone come forward to challenge its accuracy? If so, please explain.
No.
8. Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
Don't give up on a story if it gets killed. On my first go at this story an editor at a different magazine killed it because she lost patience waiting for me to find real women to talk to. Instead of getting frustrated I kept on looking for real women to speak to while sending my initial proposal out to other editors. Luckily my editor at Woman's Day on this story, Barbara Brody, has a lot of patience and is a real professional. She knows that good stories need time to cultivate. I am so lucky to work with her!