underlying forces behind the high rate of teenage depression

 underlying forces behind the high rate of teenage depression

While teenage is often assumed to be a cheerful stage, full of fun, and with minimal responsibility, this conjecture is far from reality. Teenagers face a myriad of challenges, which leave them with choices that have regrettable consequences. Among the many problems facing adolescents is depression. Teenage depression is a real problem in the contemporary world and is a significant contributor to most of adolescent problems. Depression has become a widespread mental illness today, with at least one out of every eight teens suffering from it (Moeini, Bashirian, and Soltanian 597). Studies on adolescent problems link issues such as adolescent runaways, drug and substance abuse, pregnancy, suicide, and alcoholism prevalent in the present society to depression. Accordingly, finding a solution to teenage depression will save adolescents from a plethora of challenges they grapple within their lives. This aspect requires an understanding of the underlying forces behind the high rate of teenage depression, its symptoms, and the contributing factors.

Definition and Background of the Problem

Depression refers to a mood disorder associated with obstinate feelings of sadness and loss of interest in day-to-day activities (Thapar, Collishaw, and Pine 1057). This mental disorder is linked to a wide range of impairment symptoms. It affects how one feels, thinks, and behaves and often leads to emotional and physical problems. Depression may occur with other disorders such as agoraphobia, social phobia, drug dependence, oppositional defiant disorder, and conduct disorder (Forteza, Torre, and Vacio-Muro 151). A depressed person suffers long periods of loneliness, sadness, and other negative feelings. This disorder affects the mood and affection of an individual. It can be life-threatening as it poses problems such as loss of appetite, cognitive difficulties, suicidal ideation, and excessive guilt, among others. It is a public health concern.

Teenage is a delicate stage in life where young people are trying to identify their potential and figuring out where to fit in a dynamic society. They are in a transitional stage typical of emotional, behavioral, and physical changes (Forteza, Torre, and Vacio-Muro 150). Teenage is a tantalizing stage because adolescents are struggling with a competing sense of independence from the family while at the same time still depending on that very family. As such, families face significant communication problems and relationship issues because teenagers tend to keep their feelings to themselves. These factors, among others, make teenagers vulnerable to depression.

Multiple reasons explain why teenagers are susceptible to depressive symptoms. Several risk factors come into play in determining the probability of depression in adolescence. These risk factors include a range of genetic, psychosocial factors, gene-environment interplay, and neuroendocrine functions that influence the likelihood of depression among teenagers (Thapar, Collishaw, and Pine 1058). Elements such as academic performance, social status with peers, family, and sexual orientation affect how teens feel and can easily lead them to depression.

The stigma attached to depression can lead adolescents into decisions with deplorable outcomes. Significant differences exist between males and females. Whereas depressive symptoms tend to be more prevalent among females, the consequences could be more detrimental among males (Forteza, Torre, and Vacio-Muro 152). Depressed males engage in high-risk behaviors such as drugs, violence, and alcohol. Women, on the other hand, report higher rates of suicide attempts. Therefore, an understanding of the depression problem is critical in finding viable solutions that will help transform society and improve life outcomes among this vital group.

Why Teenage Depression is a Problem and its Prevalence

Teenage depression has become a serious mental health problem worldwide. It poses a significant threat to society because depression at adolescence predicts mental health disorders in adulthood. Psychosocial difficulties such as suicidal behavior, physical health problems, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorders, substance-related disorders, and unemployment tend to be relapses of depression in adolescents (Moeini, Bashirian, and Soltanian). Thapar, Collishaw, and Pine argue that depression is a major risk factor for suicide, which is among the leading causes of death in this age group. More than half of the reported adolescent suicide has a depressive disorder.

Adolescent depression has been rising significantly over the past decade. Recent surveys show that the number of reported cases of depression among adolescents has grown by over 30%, with one in every six girls reporting being depressed (Jaycox, Stein and Paddock 597). The number of untreated adolescents suffering from depression has been growing rapidly, with the females being more vulnerable than males. Consequently, suicide rates among the youths have been on the rise. In the U.S, estimates indicate that between fifteen and twenty percent of the adolescent is likely to experience depression by the time they reach the age of eighteen years.

Depression among teens is also a problem because few teens seek help. Young people fail to seek help since they lack understanding and awareness of depression (Chadda). Moreover, they worry about the perceptions of their relatives and friends. Ongoing depression affects the ability of a young person to have a healthy identity. Depression affects the social functioning, relationships, and academic progress among the youths. Developing countries such as Iran have significantly high rates of teenage depression and associated suicide problems. As such, these countries witness more incidences of depressive symptoms in adulthood. Therefore, teenagers should be able to cope with peer pressure, changing body physiology, and academic expectations that present unceasing pressure on them. Moreover, the disorder burdens families, society, and the healthcare system by facilitating chronic disorders such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia (Chadda).

Proposed Solution

Depression among young people is linked with disability. As such, there is a need to prevent and interrupt the onset of the problem. In this case, prevention reduces the modifiable risks and facilitates factors that interrupt the risk. Early identification of the problem and intervention is the solution. In this case, school-based programs help in preventing and interrupting the disorder among young people. Schools and institutions provide a unique environment for the promotion of mental health among teens (Chadda). Furthermore, targeting such institutions increases awareness among both teachers and young people. Consequently, it helps in the early identification of various mental issues, bullying, substance abuse disorder, and suicide risks.

Research indicates that school-based programs are effective at minimalizing suicide attempts (Chadda). These programs are universal, selective, and indicated, making them effective for all young people, including those without depressive symptoms. The programs promote emotional well-being giving young people the ability and strength to deal and cope with the stress associated with academic work. One of the school-based programs that reduce the disorder is a program focused on the reduction of bullying. For this program, all students and their families participate by watching videos on bullying, reading booklets, and filling questionnaires. This program seeks to deal with aggressive behavior, change perceptions on bullying, and handle poor family management (Burns, Andrews, and Szabo). Consequently, the program reduces rates of victimization and antisocial behaviors such as vandalism and truancy. Besides, this program increases retention rates in schools by making teens satisfied with their school environment.

Another program is a program that prevents antisocial behavior. This program focuses on the classroom environment and seeks to enhance commitment to academic work, improve academic performance, and minimize disruptive behavior. In this case, teachers receive training to serve as intervention teachers. Research indicates that this program minimizes disruptive behavior by reducing the number of suspensions. Furthermore, it also helps in improving the attachment of young people to schools. Another school-based program focuses on assisting socially-disadvantaged learners (Burns, Andrews, and Szabo). The program includes a social calendar, development of a participatory system of governance, and parent program.

Conclusion

Depression among young people is a problem in contemporary society. The disorder is life-threatening because of its links with suicidal ideas, cognitive difficulties, and loss of appetite. The teenage stage increases vulnerability to depression as teenagers struggle to be independent of their families while still dependent on the same families. The risk factors include genetic, psychosocial, and gene-environment interplay. Other elements contributing to depression among teens include academic performance, family, and social status with peers. Depression is a major risk factor for suicide making it a leading cause of death among teens. Teens fail to seek help because of a lack of awareness of the issue. As such, the best solution to the problem is school-based programs. They include programs to minimize suicide attempts, reduce bullying, and programs that prevent antisocial behavior.