Considering my last topic was about anxiety, I’d like to touch on another common yet serious issue that occurs among students.
Under the pressure of deadlines, managing one’s social life, and hormones, students can fall into a rut.
There are different kinds of depression, different causes, and the effects may vary from person to person, yet we cannot deny that it holds us back, even when it comes to our academics.
Something that can especially inhibit us from moving forward in school is low mood and lack of motivation. It is difficult to finish assignments when nothing flows; there is not any fun in it, or we simply cannot push ourselves to complete a chore.
Depression can make any school day feel extremely draining and dull. It can make the simplest of tasks seem monumentally challenging. With no spark behind our eyes, it is hard to get anything done.
There are days that may leave students feeling like they cannot get out of bed, or they would rather just hide away from the world than get ready and go to school.
Activities that seemed fun at one point no longer hold our interest or simply do not feel the same. We may even have difficulty spending time with friends and leaving the house.
Students struggle every day to merely show up to class. We should not underestimate their internal struggles and instead give them a friend to turn to when times do not seem so bright.
Talking can be the first step to getting better. With support from parents, family, teachers and friends, we can heal and get out of our rut.
Regarding any mental health issue, it is important there is communication, trust and understanding.
Depression is nothing to be joked about and can lead to feelings of isolation and other serious consequences.
No matter how small the problem may seem, everybody’s feelings are valid and deserve to be heard.
Macy How is a grade 10 student at Brooks Secondary School.
