4/05/2016

Interviewee: Tara Wielder

Interviewer: Belan Hamad

Introduction
I first came across Ms. Wielder at the playground where I usually take
my girls to play in the afternoons. Her granddaughter was playing with my
daughter, which sparked a conversation between us. It wasnt until later in
the conversation that I learned the childs mother had recently died in a car
crash. She mentioned what a struggle it was to get out of bed that morning
to even bring Sierra, her granddaughter, to the park.
Analyze
Tara suggested that she had been to the doctor several times. It wasnt
up until a month ago; they suggest depression as an issue. Many believed it
be grief and her added responsibility of her granddaughter to her declining
mental state. My level of disbelief at the amount of times she has seen her
therapist before they suggested any medication. Tara described her life to be
unbearable. Aside from taking care of her granddaughter, she had lost her
will to live. She described her world to be repetitive and meaningless. She
was afraid it was starting to affect her granddaughter.
Useful Information
The rate of suicide and depression is significantly higher in older adults
who have outlived their children (Zetumer, 2015). The level of caregivers

guilt and sense of emotional trauma adds to suicide and depression. The
severity of of grief symptoms even affects the minds cognitive abilities to
function day to day (Zetumer, 2015)
Personal Impact
My main focus in the field of social work is children. I want to ensure
the well-being of children at all costs. I believe parents play a major role in a
childs physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Therefore, it was essential
for Tara to receive the care she needed in order to fully be able to bond and
care for her grandchild who had lost her mother. The environment was not
neither conducive to the child nor the grandmother.
Future Social Work
As a future social worker, I hope to shed a light on this disease that
allows people to understand that it is not a joke and should be taken very
seriously. It is important to provide the necessary tools to those who are
having a hard time dealing with different situations. As a social worker, I
hope I continue to ensure the needs of my client are met and every aspect of
their well-being is taken care of.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I believe this disease every one affects everyone in
different moments of their life. It is so hard to not allow the world to take
punches at you in your most trying times. Life happens to all of us and it is
up to us to turn it around. There are many factors that play into depression.
It is a disease that I feel isnt even close to being defined or explored in

every sense. Many people still believe, it is a diagnosis we bestow upon

ourselves.