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By Deirdre Kelly Two Kiltimagh students have scooped second prize in the group section of the Esat Telecom Young Scientist exhibition for their project on 'Depression and Adolescence'. Katherine Harkin and Elaine Mears, students at St. Louis Community School in Kiltimagh were presented with their award by An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, for a startling project which reveals a high level of depressive symptoms among the West of Ireland's young people. This award marks a double for the school who also took the runner up spot in the national competition two years ago. Fifteen months ago Katharine and Elaine began researching the project and exploring the rates of depressive symptoms among Irish adolescence in the West of Ireland. From extensive random surveys they found females displayed more depressive symptoms than males and symptoms peaked both in the junior and senior cycle. Their conclusions established that depression was linked to stressful periods in adolescence and were highest for both males and females in leaving cert. Katharine, who is daughter of John and Renee Harkin, Derryronane, Swinford, and Elaine, daughter of Kevin and Angela Mears, Ballina, paid tribute to the AWARE organisation for their assistance, retired St. Louis Principal Hugh McTigue, teachers Ms. O'Neill and Ms. Gilrane, and current Principal, Mr. Paddy Lavelle. Mr. Lavelle said it was a great achievement for the school and the two students who faced tough competition from the 350 projects entered in the competition. |
