Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses in teenagers’ day-to-day lives. Teenagers around the age of 13-17 could get diagnosed with depression, leaving them with an intense feeling of sadness, hopelessness, anger, or frustration that could last for a while. Having these feelings can make it hard to function normally or do everyday activities. It can also make a person unmotivated or have a hard time enjoying life. The causes that could potentially elead to depression are peer pressure, academic expectations, and changes in the body. Teen depression isn’t something one can overcome in a day or two. It takes time and long-term treatments to get someone on track to a normal and healthy life.
Teens tend to have it worse than many as they cope with school, body changes, and personal drama. These things are among the major causes of depression. A simple incident may not seem like a lot, but it can get into a teenager’s mind much easier than an adult’s. The government surveyed up to 8,000 high school students in the first 6 months of 2021, and found lots of mental health problems amongst the group. A number of girls reported that they had contemplated suicide over the pandemic at twice the rate as boys. Teenagers had this mindset because they weren’t leaving the house and doing fun things with friends and family. They felt isolated and trapped.
School can cause stress, anxiety, and even depression. This occurs in a school atmosphere because some high school students get overwhelmed and tired because of school work and drama surrounding them. Depression needs to be more acknowledged and not just pushed aside.
Sources:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/teen-depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20350985
https://medlineplus.gov/teendepression.htmlToxicity in Traditional Gender Roles
https://www.samhsa.gov/mentalhealth/depression#:~:text=Depression%20is%20a%20disorder%20of,can%20interfere%20with%20everyday%20life
