Developing a Novel Mathematical Model for Depression

As part of an independent research project, I developed a novel mathematical model of depression using differential equations to explore how populations transition between depression, remission, and recovery. Unlike many existing models focused on biological markers, my approach considered depression at the population and experiential level, factoring in remission, relapse, treatment effects, and even the influence of individuals in remission on the wider community.

This work was both personal and academic: rooted in my interest in mental health and my conviction that mathematical models can illuminate human experiences often left to qualitative study. The model not only produced meaningful insights but also gave me the opportunity to merge applied mathematics with human-centered research, a theme I hope will shape my broader research journey.