The High School Setting: A Breeding Ground for Teenage Depression?

Sun, 03 May 2009 16:25:40 GMT

By Catherine Minster

The media today makes today’s teens appear moody, irritable, and above all, sad. While most of these characteristics are stereotypes, there is no question that society is right on about many teens being sad and depressed. According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and journalist Victoria Loustalot, there has been an 8% increase in teenage suicide within the past year alone, and at least 20% of teens have suicidal thoughts. Based on the various stresses and troubles that go along with a teen’s life, it is not too surprising that more and more teens are suffering from both mild and severe strains of depression. One potential cause of teenage depression may be the environment in which they are a part of: the high school setting. While many people claim that high school is the “best years of a life,” it can be the most emotionally traumatic for others. In the high school setting, a group of highly-emotional, hormonal teens are forced to spend about six or more hours together, whether they get along or not. Many teens at this age are still trying to discover who they are, while their peers are trying to shape them to fit what they believe is “acceptable” to the particular “clique” he or she belongs in. These two opposing forces can be very powerful and can lead to emotional insecurity. Some teens that are already emotionally insecure for a variety of reasons may be more prone to try and inflict emotional or physical pain upon another, usually in the form of bullying. While nobody likes to admit to being bullied, the various technological advancements of the time have made bullying even easier, which may be part of the cause of the increase of teenage depression. Popular social networking sites, such as Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter are all opportunities for bullies to post embarrassing pictures and leave abusive comments toward their victims. Other online communication methods, such as instant messaging systems and email, provide bullies with a more anonymous method of hurting others. Text messages, cell phones, and prank calls are also used in the frequent bullying of other students. As teens turn to these various technological methods to make friends, improve their social life, and thus, become “happier,” they are often hurting themselves more then they think. The high school setting also puts a great deal of pressure on teens, sometimes to the point in which they get overstressed and burnt out. The pressure put on teens to get into a good college, take lots of advanced and difficult courses, do a large amount of homework, and still find time for extracurricular activities and friends frequently takes a toll on students, particularly those who are described as “perfectionists.” Is high school really “the best years of a person’s life,” or is it simply a breeding ground for teenage depression? While the world may never know for sure, teenage depression needs to be further understood and cared for. Understanding the causes behind teenage depression may end up saving a teen’s life. The Keystone Connection has been viewed times since 18-OCT-2008.