Depression rates have been increasing significantly these recent years. Quoting from a study done by researchers at Columbia University and CUNY, which can be found at Cambridge.org, “Increases in depression were significant for the youngest and oldest age groups, men, and women… The rate of increase in depression was significantly more rapid among youth relative to all older age groups.” So, what’s increasing it?
1. Academic Burnout
The term “burnout” is used to describe severe stress and exhaustion from overworking yourself. The overwhelming feeling of being not good enough academically can also create burnout.
It is drilled in many young children from a young age that the only way to succeed in life is to go to a prestigious college.
As a result, bad grades are taken to heart and make people feel a lack of motivation. Even well-intentioned teachers and professionals can have a hand in creating a “burnout” in children from giving too much homework to not giving enough breaks.
It is an increasing issue for not only students but also people who have jobs. From exerting energy to meet a deadline with little to no breaks to trying to make ends meet. It can feel like being stuck in an endless loop of tasks with no way out.
Quoted from a study done by researchers from Iran University of Medical Sciences, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, more effects of academic burnout are “psychological disorders including anxiety, depression, frustration, hostility, and fear in students.” The article continues to explain how a solution to this is better management of educational plans.
2. Generational Stress
As each generation paves the way for the next generation they leave behind remnants of expectations.
Many of the older generations believe that the coming generations should achieve more and be better than them, and this pressure is a source of stress for many youths.
Parents also pressure their kids to do better because of their past experience being very difficult, and comparing how they “have it better than they did.”
However, it is not a matter of who “has it harder” because not everything is easy.
Comparing how different times are to pressure kids to do “better” doesn’t actually help, but negatively impact their mentality.
3. Lifestyle Factors and Environment
Social environments include your school, work, home, settings. Although there isn’t an exact answer to what causes depression, lifestyle factors and environment can influence depression symptoms.
According to a study that can be found in The American Journal of Psychiatry a youth’s environment especially from a young age can impact their likelihood of having depression later in life.
The findings from the study were that in whatever setting children whose parents had depression had higher chances of also having depression.
The study continues to explain how the result of this is likely because of the parent having depression, and continuity or disruption of the home environment.
Just like how a place that reminds someone of traumatic or sad memories that place is not deemed as a place for that someone to cultivate happiness in. It is better for that person to be somewhere else for their betterment.
4. Covid 19
2020 has been a horrible year for us.
From increasing Covid-19 cases to losing so many lives. Remote learning has also been very difficult for students, and especially for those who considered school a safe place for them.
Quarantine and remote classes have caused many to feel alone and anxious, and feel a loss of connection with others during these hard times.
It has also been very difficult for many to share how they feel when they are behind a screen doing hours and hours of tedious work.
An article containing a documented study by Dr. Emma Adam, a developmental psychobiologist, it discusses why the stresses of recent years have been affecting Gen Z so much, and the causes.
The article continues to discuss how the pandemic plays a big part in this generation which is a leading reason why depression has been increasing amongst the youth these recent years. The study can be found here
Final Words
Although depression doesn’t have an exact cause it does have many different causes that are mentioned in this article that can lead to it.
It is important to check on yourself and others from a young age especially during this pandemic.
Giving yourself breaks is needed to heal yourself, so please don’t pressure yourself too hard. Check out our other articles that discuss more on how to maintain a healthy life!
Written By Shajnin Howlader
Shajnin Howlader is a highschool sophomore who is passionate about writing. Her goal is to reach many people through her writing and help them.
Cited Sources:
- Weinberger, A., Gbedemah, M., Martinez, A., Nash, D., Galea, S., & Goodwin, R. (2017, October 12). Trends in DEPRESSION prevalence in the USA from 2005 to 2015: Widening disparities in VULNERABLE groups: PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE. Retrieved February 13, 2021, from https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/psychological-medicine/article/abs/trends-in-depression-prevalence-in-the-usa-from-2005-to-2015-widening-disparities-in-vulnerable-groups/8A2904A85BB1F4436102DB78E3854E35
- Kendler, K., Search for more papers by this author, Ohlsson, H., Sundquist, J., Sundquist, K., Weissman, M., & Kalin, N. (2020, April 28). The rearing environment and risk for Major Depression: A Swedish National High-Risk HOME-REARED AND ADOPTED-AWAY CO-SIBLING control study. Retrieved February 13, 2021, from https://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/doi/abs/10.1176/appi.ajp.2019.19090911
- Kendler, K., Search for more papers by this author, Ohlsson, H., Sundquist, J., Sundquist, K., Weissman, M., & Kalin, N. (2020, April 28). The rearing environment and risk for major depression: A Swedish National High-Risk HOME-REARED AND ADOPTED-AWAY CO-SIBLING control study. Retrieved February 13, 2021, from https://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/doi/abs/10.1176/appi.ajp.2019.19090911
