Mental illness has become a widespread epidemic among teens. Things such as anxiety and depression seem almost normal in our modern schools with how often it’s brought up and talked about. With mental illness being able to affect both one’s social life and grades, why has it not become an issue many parents are keen to watch for? What has changed in this generation that has caused such an unprecedented rise, and how does it affect their ability to learn?

According to madinamerica.com, antidepressant use has increased by nearly 400% in the last two decades, making it one of the fastest growing conditions in the world. Something capable of spreading at this rate cannot be ignored in the long run.

Healthline.com stated, “It’s estimated that 16.2 million adults in the United States, or 6.7 percent of American adults, have had at least one major depressive episode in a given year.”

One of the biggest questions that scientists are still baffled by is why something like this might happen. It’s a sudden yet dramatic change in society that has seemingly appeared with no rhyme or reason behind it.  Some blame parenting, social media, increase exposure to technology, increased stress as well as many other factors as the cause.

“Isolation and lack of socialization are commonly linked to depression, especially for people who don’t socialize for more than a day at a time,” ptsdjournal.com said.

“Millennials can’t help but compare their situations and achievements to everyone else’s, which can leave them feeling insecure and unaccomplished,” Singh told Healthline.

“I see many young adults who say they are social, but their social interactions consist of talking with people online while playing a video game for hours,” Kathryn Moore, PhD, a psychologist at Providence Saint John’s Child and Family Development Center said. “These types of social interactions aren’t allowing for true sharing, connectedness, or feeling known.”

With how many students are at WHS, there are bound to be a large number of students who may need assistance with mental health. If you believe you may be suffering from mental illness, or know somebody that does, there are E-books available in the WHS High School’s Library that may be able to aid you as well as resources through the Counselors’ office.