Depression in high school students is like an event that is impacted by numerous factors that eventually end up making the condition more complicated. Genetic prerequisite implies suicide attempts a lot; those who have a family history of depression are way more liable. Besides, teenage girls are prone to hormonal fluctuations, which cause a disruption in brain chemistry and mood swings and can increase the chances of depression. In such a case, stressful life situations like abuse, loss, or abrupt life changes can be a trigger for depression, which may bring additional gloomy (with tears and stuff) feelings for vulnerable people (Zhou et al., 2020).
The high school environment itself as a space plays a role in stress triggering. The academic pressures that arise in students due to their obsession with attaining set goals and the fear of failure usually get uncontrollable, affecting their self-esteem and robbing them of their inner peace. Social interactions such as relationships with other people, authority pressure, bullying, or conflict with family members or overall peer groups have an additional impact on the rate of depression among teens. Stress induced by these situations usually includes self-contempt and low self-esteem, adding to negative feelings of cheapness and inferiority.
Substance addiction can make the depressive condition of a high school student worse, and it may even lead such students to depression. The adaptation of other psychogenic drugs like alcohol or drugs may also be a result of the inability to deal with emotional distress, which may end up making the depressive symptoms worse. Apart from this, the issue of having chronic illness or disability in the life of the students who enrolled in the college can be very challenging and burdening as these students need to make sure that their physical health and emotional health are in a good state. Identifying the diverse character of depression as a problem among teenagers in high school is one of the significant aspects that society should have inherited solutions for and timely assistance to those who are suffering from it.
As a nurse working in a high school environment, my recommendations for intervention to support teenagers experiencing depression would encompass a multifaceted approach. First and foremost, offering counseling services is crucial, providing students with individual and group sessions facilitated by qualified mental health professionals. These sessions are safe spaces where students can openly express their feelings, learn coping mechanisms, and develop resilience skills to navigate their emotions effectively. Additionally, promoting mental health awareness through workshops and assemblies is essential to reduce the stigma surrounding depression and encourage open dialogue among students, teachers, and parents. Facilitating peer support groups further reinforces this sense of community and belonging, enabling students to connect with peers who may be experiencing similar challenges and offering mutual support and understanding.
The stress management program should be included in the school plan as the proper time management of students at school is the most critical factor in student’s coping and overcoming different stressors. These techniques, like mindfulness, relaxation exercises, and time management skills, can help students deal successfully with stress(Williams et al., 2021). Creating a peaceful and welcoming school campus that cultivates a climate of compassion, mercy, and tolerance and involves the development of anti-bullying programs and the promotion of positive social interactions among students is also as significant. The most effective support for students struggling emotionally or academically can be achieved through their teachers and parents/guardians’ joint efforts to identify those students and then develop tailor-made solutions that ensure coordination between home and school (Suniya et al.,2020).
Promoting healthy life choices like exercising regularly, having a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and avoiding substance abuse is not only able to achieve healthy physical but also mentally active of high school students. Moreover, with the referral of community resources, for instance, mental health clinics, support groups, and helplines, the students’ immediate support network is extended, and they are sure that there are more resources and treatment options in the school as needed. To begin, having continuous follow-up and tracking a student’s progress along with his/her emotional well-being are vital features of interventions to ensure students receive the needed arranged communication among the students, their parents, teachers, and mental health professionals on the progress and well-being of the student.
Suniya S. Luthar, Nina L. Kumar & Nicole Zillmer (2020) Teachers’ responsibilities for students’ mental health:Challenges in high achieving schools, International Journal of School & Educational Psychology, 8:2, 119-130, DOI: 10.1080/21683603.2019.1694112
Williams, M. L., Morse, B. L., DeGraffenried, W., & McAuliffe, D. L. (2021). Addressing stress in high school students during the COVID-19 pandemic. NASN school nurse, 36(4), 226-232. https://doi.org/10.1177/1942602X21993053
Zhou, Z., Shek, D. T., Zhu, X., & Dou, D. (2020). Positive youth development and adolescent depression: A longitudinal study based on mainland Chinese high school students. International journal of environmental research and public health, 17(12), 4457. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17124457