- Maanya Gadhok
Greetings dear reader!
As times progress, depression has taken over and has long been controlling the new generation’s lives. In your parents’ or grandparents’ days, there would be nothing known as depression at all. There could be two significant reasons for this- either there was no awareness about mental health back in the day, or maybe platforms like social media, which have previously been proved to be toxic, and one of the biggest reasons for depression and insecurities – simply did not exist.
Whatever may be the reason, simple facts and numbers that are in front of us evidently state that depression has run rife for Generation Z’ers. While adult Gen Z reports the highest amount of stress, Gen Z overall gives us the highest number of depression as well as suicide cases. According to apa.org, “More than nine in 10 Gen Z adults (91 per cent) said they had experienced at least one physical or emotional symptom because of stress”. So, it is prominently displayed that Gen Z is not looking good in terms of a mental health streak.
On the other hand, this is the very generation which has seen technology evolve like crazy, and studies have come to such intensity that we have been presented a list of causes and cures for depression straight off. Experts believe that about 50% of depression stems from genetics. There are many other causes, including losing a parent early, child abuse, and very commonly – severe stress and peer pressure.
Gratefully, we have also been made aware of certain ways to treat depression and make it less severe in nature. Since depression is a root issue, which cannot be ‘treated as such, it is almost impossible to make depression go away. However, it is very much possible to try and overcome it in multiple ways.
Here is a story of an average teenager who feels not-so-normal after depression hits her, and she is left hopeless after all. I hope this inspiring read from Aria’s perspective motivates you to live your moments to the best.
Her Life and Some Advice
And then she awoke to see the bright sun shining in her eyes. That made her cry. She had barely any tears left to shed after crying continuously for years of her life every day. She described it kind of like a monotonous routine, cry in the morning, try in the day, die- or at least wish to die every night.
Aria was completely normal; she knew that for sure. However, what was behind her was completely traumatising. Aria had been through much that a lifetime of experience has never provided anyone in her family, yet she always remembered that times have changed. Aria has a younger brother, they are five years apart, yet she felt extremely lonely. She had no one to share her feelings with in her family; simply, no one could understand her at all.
One of the only things that helped Aria deal with all the mental pressure and 1000 different traumas happening daily in her life were diary entries. Every night, Aria got into her cosy corner after a long day full of tragic events, and she spilt it all out on an empty sheet of paper. It made her feel lighter but still not quite good. But she put a lot of love into each precious entry of hers, hoping that one day she would get rid of her depression and look back at these entries, laughing at how she managed to get over her silly problems. Here is something Aria wrote, something that portrays the depth in her hurt-
Dear Diary,
It’s…. been a long day, as usual. I don’t feel good, again- usual. And… I just want to quit, VERY common. As I mentioned earlier, it’s like a routine now, and it sucks.
Today, all of us went to the mall together: my parents bought a lot of stuff for themselves, and my brother got a few toys himself, but I was left hanging because ‘my parents did not know what I would like and what would be beneficial for me in the long term. I mean, I know they are trying to help me succeed in the future, and they are just trying to make me benefit in the future. But it just feels like they don’t understand me at all. I met a friend of mine at the mall, and I managed to wave to her but as soon as my parents overheard her asking me to come over to her place the next day, they immediately pulled me away and scolded me for not paying enough attention to my studies. I’m sick of being told to concentrate on my academics and ALWAYS put my grades before my mental health. People think I’m just acting weird, but they never give it a second thought, never care to think that they might be the reason for my sorrow.
As of now, I don’t know what’s happening to me. Everything just feels so messed up, and I hate it.
I’m trying everything in my power to become a better person; let’s hope I’m still me after all this.
Sorry to leave you hanging, my mother is telling me to stop penning down nonsense and focus on my algebra sums instead.
Wish me good luck.
Bye,
Aria
Aria soon got in touch with a counsellor, trying to trust the process. It all started when she found a teacher in her 7th year whom she trusted with all her problems. That very teacher requested her to consult someone as soon as possible, understanding that her situation was very critical at this point. It wasn’t easy for Aria to trust and wait patiently at all, but it sure did pay off. Her long and helpful sessions with her psychotherapist helped her understand what was happening and why.
Aria learnt that hormones have a huge role to play in a matter like depression. That made a whole lot of sense to her, especially since, being a teenager, she knew how hormones affected her life.
She also learnt about the brutal truth. To state numbers, about every 1 in 30 young children are depressed. These kids completely withdraw from their social lives, start performing extremely poorly in school and become very irritable. Aria read that these signs are often missed and neglected. This is because adults always think the problem is something else. This is the very reason two-thirds of children with mental health problems do not get adequate help.
However, every moment of darkness just calls for you to climb out of the tunnel; there is always a bright side at the end. Likewise, Aria figured that there are many ways to treat depression. With all the new technology evolving as well as education getting much better, it is recommended to consult a psychotherapist and get in touch with them actively. Trust whatever they say and whatever they suggest you do. Remember, antidepressants and tablets do work, but sometimes it’s much better to just talk and let out all your problems on a willing ear. As hard as it might be, don’t be afraid of showing your emotions.
Your true self is beautiful. You are amazing just the way you are, and you don’t need to change a thing about yourself unless you feel you’re wrong. Love yourself; it is worth it.
Just these tiny things changed Aria’s life forever. Trust, love, confidence, honesty, originality – these few words replaced the depressed Aria with a beautiful girl’s personality, one who is not afraid to walk out with her acne, her braces and her scars – she lets her insecurities shine, she lets her personality shine, SHE shines.
Aria doesn’t regret it at all. Now it’s your turn.
Will you be willing to make a change? Are you ready to walk out with a huge smile spread across your face?
Remember… you are you. There’s only one of you in the world, and we need you.
We love you.
- Maanya 8c
The Heritage Newsroom
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