I am wondering don't we all have issues with depression in our teen years? It just seems to be the perfect time for it. You get acne, the person who was your best friend in 6th grade is no longer your friend in 9th grade because of your acne. I think the story goes a little like that, but not to trivialize it, the adults in teens lives need to be aware of the signs.
With all that is coming at teens--especially in our times--it is no wonder that so many of them have bouts with depression, never mind the pessimistic literature that often times they are required to read in school and life just doesn't get any better for them.
I think a way to prevent teenage depression, or at best counteract it is to redesign the reading curriculum and offer more stories of triumphs because right now these kids are getting a heavy dose of books with less than hopeful endings. While I'm not saying every story or novel they read end in rainbows, I am saying that their should be a balancing act. If we show kids they can overcome hardships through literature, they may be more inclined to believe they can.
Good thoughts! I do think depression comes with the territory of teen years, unfortunately, but I also think you're right that there are ways to combat it with positivity and triumphant stories. Thanks for your insights. :)
ReplyDelete