What social factors have given rise to the so-called epidemic of depression You will need to show your understanding of the social construction of ‘depression’ as a category of suffering (i.e. changes in formal definitions of depression)

Description What social factors have given rise to the so-called ‘epidemic’ of depression? You will need to show your understanding of the social construction of ‘depression’ as a category of suffering (i.e. changes in formal definitions of depression), and the social, cultural, and economic conditions that may have contributed to increased rates of depression. Use statistics early in your essay as ‘evidence’ that there is something of an ‘epidemic’ (or you may reject this argument, based on evidence). EXPLANATION OF GRADING CRITERIA Structure – 10% Essay organisation and structure supports the logical development of a discussion or argument (includes clear, purposeful introduction and conclusion, and clearly organised paragraphs of approximately 150-200-words) An essay should be coherent, that is there should be a degree of integration or ‘flow’ running through the ideas you present. Coherence is supported by sound sentence and paragraph construction. An essay is organised in 3 parts: • An introduction introduces the social ‘problem’/question/issue and how you plan to discuss it sociologically. You might include the following elements: I. Introduce the question/problem/issue II. State the areas that you want to focus on III. Indicate your ‘frame/s’ (the concepts/perspectives that inform the essay and help to analyse the content), if applicable IV. Indicate the organisation of the essay – how you go about ordering the discussion or argument V. Indicate the general conclusion • The main body in which you develop discussion/argument, and • The conclusion where you sum up the essay’s discussion and draw conclusions (note that a conclusion is not a repeat of the introduction).