Addressing the Overlooked: Understanding and Supporting Youth with Mild to Moderate Depression

¹ St. Mary’s High School, N2C 2S2 Kitchener, Canada
² New Oriental Academy, 102206 Beijing, China

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract

Depression has emerged as one of the most commonly studied mental health issues among teenagers in terms of the way they perform at school, their social interaction, and even their future. Although severe depression is normally considered a clinical challenge, most adolescents with mild or moderate cases are often ignored, which puts them at the risk of further deterioration. The world health organization estimates that more than 200 million individuals in the world have depression and among them, adolescents constitute an increasing percentage. It has been found that the initial symptoms include mood swings, sleeping disturbances, and even social isolation, which usually remain unnoticed, postponing the response. This essay examines the various complex factors and determinants of mild to moderate depression in young people and they are academic stress, family background, social media and lifestyle. It proposes the need to be more aware and intervene at earliest age by schools, families, communities, and digital platforms. Societies can build resiliency and encourage mental health equity by addressing adolescents not only through clinical intervention but also by means of prevention and early intervention to support these youths.