Depression in Adolescents: A Raising Issue

Seventh grade was a pivotal moment in my exciting, 12-year-old life. And it certainly wasn’t because of the introduction of geometry. I remember it vividly. I was in class, having a staring contest with the clock as minutes seemed to last hours. However, something about the school day wasn’t like the others. Students were being plucked out of their seats, being told their parents were here to take them home early. I complained at the lunch table, whining that I wanted to be picked up too. Most of my peers had left by the last period, and an ominous feeling had settled amongst of use who remained as we hesitantly gathered in an empty room. Our principle directed us to be seated, and no one missed the glum expressions of her and our school counselor. My heart raced with worry, though I was unsure what for. Through a sorrowful tone, it was revealed to my seventh grade class that our classmate, Cami Freese had passed away. Different reactions spilled across the room: heartbroken sobs, wide, teary eyes, uncertain frowns, and a slew of questions. As a girl who’s innocence hadn’t been tainted by loss or death, I remember feeling confused, and rather shock had taken place of sadness.

We learned she had taken her own life.

It took months for me to understand the depth of the situation, and the severity of depression. I was actually a close friend of hers, and we shared smiles and laughter amongst a handful of sleepovers and birthday bashes. In the mix of it all, I never realized the pain she was experiencing. Reminiscing on it now, I have memories where I was concerned. But as a seventh grader whose only focus was enjoying middle school, I was unfamiliar with the depression and it’s heavy consequences. I can’t change the past, but I can influence the future. By raising awareness of the raw reality of depression, separate from it’s stigma, and how it is a serious war for many teens, I hope to prevent more serious issues like suicide.

Throughout the years, it became more apparent to me that depression is a struggle many endure; an invisible battle. In fact, I failed to recognize that my classmates and best friends were soldiers fighting at the frontlines of depression.

I had the chance to interview a friend who’ve I’ve known since sixth grade; and who squeezed my hand tight while sitting in the red pews, listening to Cami’s parents talk about their beautiful daughter. She’s jumped hurdles in her life that are unimaginable, and her story is nothing short of admirable. Shelby Mezo has suffered with severe depression and anxiety since the age of 12. In addition to the exhausting, mental toll of depression, she experienced physically struggles in her daily life. Like simply getting out of bed or showering; activities a majority of people don’t think twice about doing. I posed a question asking whether or not she had troubles reaching out for help, to which she responded,

“It was really hard for me to ask for help at all, [but] eventually things go so bad, I thought it was my last route…I was desperate for an out from my brain. I didn’t want to ask for help because I felt weak.”

Through a survey, I discovered that this was a feeling individuals affected with depression harbored when it came to sticking a hand out for help. The full survey can be viewed here. There were two questions regarding the topic of receiving treatment. The first was about specific types of treatment while the following asked about the difficult of reaching out. A little over half of the respondents found it troubling to ask for help, which can be seen visually through the graph below.

The raw data of the entire survey results can be found here. In addition, those who said yes provided similar reasons as to why they were reluctant to receive treatment:

I was afraid to be judged and seen different.

A lot of other people never take Mental Health Issues serious.

You get worried that people will see you in a bad light or treat you like a baby.

Through these replies, one of my more prevalent questions in my research was answered. Depression, does in fact, hold a negative connotation within society. This was another question posed in my survey, in which a vast majority agreed there’s a stigma that circulates depression.

I was getting closer to being able to draw a conclusion and a more structured idea regarding the issue of teen depression. Next, I questioned whether or not there was a possible correlation between depression’s stigma and the lack of receiving treatment.

60% believed there to be an effect to some degree, while roughly 30% thought there was a heavy influence.

My results display a narrative. Adolescents are experiencing depression, or similar disorders, due to family and school related reasons; addition to individual struggles such as trauma. However, because of the negative stigma that circulates depression, many are reluctant or too scared to seek treatment for a serious issue that can lead to life-long problems and possible death.

Through my survey responses and interview, I realized that a major component to the increasing rates of depression in, specifically adolescents, is the ignorance surrounding the subject as well as the cynical image it presents in society. Although speaking out about a “taboo” topic and attempting to inform others, words can only go so far. While brainstorming solutions to this pressing concern, I tried to think of direct ways the issue could be presented to adolescents. Thus, the idea of a campaign week held in schools was birthed. More details and images that visualize my concept can be located here, however in a brief summary, it would be a week of activities and lessons with the overall message of ending the stigma.

END THE STIGMA.

Depression isn’t a taboo topic. It’s okay to not be okay.

Because adolescents spend most of their years in school, this is an issue that should be more discussed in a setting that often can be a stressor for most students. Depression looks different for everyone, and it’s an invisible illness many suffer with. yet it holds a negative connotation, preventing people from reaching out. through a campaign or awareness week included in school calendars, adolescents can become more informed on how to notice symptoms (in themselves or others), what kind of help is available, the facts and myths of depression, and why it’s okay to be not okay and ask for help.

Optimally, it could be held during October, which is National Depression Awareness month. During this month, schools can dedicate a week to discussing topics in depression through morning announcements or assemblies. it could involve subjects like: resources, facts about depression, how to help peers, how teachers can help peers, and myths vs. facts. Schools could also invite those with personal, moving stories that may impact student’s to speak about their experience with depression. All activities can be tailored to fit certain age groups. For younger grades, dress up days and lessons regarding depression may be more interactive. For high schooler’s, assemblies and guest speakers may have a longer lasting influence. I also think throughout the week, students should be encouraged to reach out for help, or maybe even leave anonymous notes to teachers/the school board mentioning what they may be struggling with and what the school — an environment they spend most of their days in — can do to help.

Another main point in the campaign should be addressing how to reach out and telling of the resources that are available. Once again, depression is different for everyone. and that applies to treatment too. For some, natural treatment works. Others prefer therapy of some sort, and sometimes medication numbs the symptoms.

Through a campaign, I would hope for students, teachers, and families to become more aware and informed of the facts of depression rather than the myths that many believe. In addition, those who are troubled with the tiring symptoms of depression should understand it’s acceptable to ask for help, and encouraged to seek the right resources.

Ultimately, the goal is to assure teens that it’s okay to reach out for help, and teach them that depression isn’t a defining illness or characteristic. Depression doesn’t have to be dealt with individually; and it shouldn’t be.

Left untouched, depression can have fatal outcomes. Along with the rising rates of depression are an increase in suicide cases. The American Health Ranking Foundation states:

Results from the 2019 Youth Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System show that in the past year 18.8% of high school students seriously consider attempting suicide and 8.9% attempted suicide.

This is a concern that should be more urgently attended to, which is why it’s a topic I’ve chose to research. I think the stigma is a large obstacle when it comes to preventing depression in teens. Depression is seen as something negative, and often people let the disorder define them. It can become scary to think that all people see in you is this mental illness. Depression as a word itself holds a negative connotation. the fear of how one might become or be seen as after being diagnosed can hinder them from reaching.

Adolescents still have a world of experience ahead of them, yet feel such heavy emotions that make the rest of life’s journey feel unbearable at times. But it’s a weight that doesn’t have to be carried on only one set of shoulders. Suicide and depression seem like such touchy subjects and most people avoid discussing them. However, that’s where the helping can start.