Teenage Depression
In the past decade, depression has become much more apparent in middle and high schools. Twenty percent of today’s teenagers are a victim of this sadness; that is over two hundred students at our own Urbana High School. None of them want this.
More specifically, depression is a mental state characterized by a sense of inadequacy and a despondent lack of activity. When someone is depressed, they feel as though no one cares, no one wants them here and eventually decide no one would miss them. An anonymous UHS student said that “Depression feels like your whole world is coming to an end.” This state of mind breaks people down. They have given up.
Personally, this fight with depression is never ending. So many people I love have stooped down to the level of this sadness. It’s hard to see someone you would do anything for, in a situation about which you can do nothing. It breaks my heart every time I hear them wanting to give up, every time I see them trying to. A few people very important to me have come very close to doing so. It is so hard to watch and to know the only thing I can do is tell them how much everyone cares, even though they still won’t believe it. Depression doesn’t only hurt the person who feels it, it also breaks the hearts of the people who love them and the ones who have to watch their tears.
Being able to tell that someone is depressed is not as easy as it may seem. People think “oh, they wear black,” or “they never smile.” This is untrue. Many teenagers will hide their sadness as long as possible until they break.
Sometimes, even the smallest things can be a sign of depression. Of course, sadness and hopelessness are obvious symptoms, but according to Helpguide.org, those aren’t the only things.
The lack of energy, the loss of interest in their favorite activities and the lack of motivation are the things that are less noticeable, and harder to connect to depression. Despite that difficulty, these things can still be symptoms.
Other things that can lead you to spot depression in a friend are things such as fatigue, irritability, hostility and violence. Intense mood swings are another great sign. Bipolar disorder shows up in around 15 % of depressed teenagers. Some people are violent by nature, but if these symptoms are sudden—if they are new—they can be a way to express these feelings, without bluntly saying that they are depressed.
Depression, if left unnoticed—untreated—can lead to much worse things. These things can and will make the lives of everyone involved, much harder.
The less noticeable results are things such as low self-esteem and even problems in school. Low self-esteem isn’t very boldly expressed and problems in school can be connected to many reasons, such as substance abuse. Abusing drugs and alcohol can also be a result of depression. Thirty percent of depressed teenagers will develop these problems with alcohol and other drugs. Someone this sad just doesn’t care what happens to them anymore. Drugs and alcohol are an escape from a world as cruel as what they are living in.
One very serious result of depression—one way that one will know someone you love is going through this sadness—is self injury, such as hitting or cutting themselves. Another UHS student said, “When I cut, my head keeps saying to me that there’s no point in living anymore; there’s no hope for the future. Cutting was my escape from it all.”
Of course, the final result of depression is suicide. According to Teendepression.org, it is the third leading cause of death in teenagers. Again, they have given up. They don’t care anymore, since to them, no one cares about them anyways. Suicide ruins the lives of everyone who cares and everyone the teen is leaving behind.
The Natural Youth Violence Prevention Center says 20 % of teenagers have considered suicide; one of every six has planned for it; in the last year, one in twelve teens has even gone so far as to attempt it. This is all too common.
Suicide attempts have shown up in both teenage girls and boys. Girls are much more likely to attempt it, but guys have a lot better chance of succeeding; they are five times more likely, to be specific.
When a teenager is having these feelings and thoughts, of course they want out. In fact, 80 % try to get the help they need before they attempt suicide. Sadly, less than one third of these teens successfully received the help they searched for.
Some treatments that may help someone with depression are things such as psychotherapy and counseling. A psychiatrist may eventually prescribe medication, as well. If these treatments have failed, or if they haven’t been used, hospitalization is a serious treatment that can help many teenagers.
If you know of a teen that is thinking about suicide, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1(800)273-TALK. Locally, the Mental Health Center of Champaign County can be of assistance. They can be contacted at 1(217)359-4141.
The most important thing to help people going through depression is just being there for them. A student here at UHS told us, “My friends were the one thing that managed to keep me alive.” Just listen to them, and offer support. Be gentle with your advice, but at the same time, be persistent. No one wants someone they love to go through this any longer than they already have.
Another way to show someone going through this that you are there for them, is to be understanding. Stay involved in their treatment and encourage them to try to get back to a content life.
What you can do yourself to help your loved one is to learn about depression. Research what depression feels like. Try to find out what they’re going through because how can you be understanding if you don’t get how they are thinking?
All in all, depression is a very serious matter that is becoming more and more apparent in American teenagers. These feelings of hopelessness and thoughts of giving up will ruin lives. People need to be nice to everyone. Even if you don’t know someone and you do one small thing to brighten their day, you can save a life. It is that simple.
About The Author
Alright, finally a piece not about the high school. Could you please report of something that relevant to the news now? The Echo is focused too much of crap, and not the news. We need to be educating kids about the world.
This article was soooooo good. It reminded me of the many encounters with depression & suicide that I’ve had & it’s so great to see that someone finally decided to write an article about it. Teen depression is so real & it is often overlooked, which sucks because so many teens need help. The end result of an ignored, depressed teen, is, unfortunately, suicide. Even then, the teen is ignored, being called selfish, self-centered, & over-dramatic. I’ve seen & heard examples of this too many times to count. Each time, the depression/mood-disorder is very real & so easy to spot, that I don’t understand how it is overlooked or written off as something else.
This article can be such an eye-opener to so many people, especially some of the kids & staff at UHS who don’t believe teenagers can be depressed.