INCREASED RATE OF DEPRESSION AMONGST STUDENTS By@srrebullient

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Hey guys,

Today I would like us to look into the drastic rise in depression rate amongst youths especially undergraduates of different tertiary institutions.

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WHAT IS DEPRESSION

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According to Healthline, Depression is classified as a mood disorder. It may be described as feelings of sadness, loss, or anger that interfere with a person’s everyday activities.

Having seen the above, we can simply put depression to mean the absence of happiness.

This has been an increasing problem amongst students and it is quite unfair that the society at large isn't looking into it as it should.

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CAUSES OF DEPRESSION

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There are several causes of depression which I cannot point out all of them as there are things that can depress one and won't depress another. But with the general increase in depression rate, I can point out some of the factors that lead to it and they include;

• Lack of funds
• Poor academic performance
• Oppression from fellow students
• Poor background effect
• Lossing money
• Stress
• Lossing a loved one either by death or separation.
• Peer/family pressure, etc.

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I pointed out the above factors as the main causes of depression because I have been opportune to engage in various discussions with some suspected depressed persons and in as much as they always find it difficult to open up, you will tend to observe from their line of talk the main reason as to why they are depressed.

• Eg

From the above screenshot from my WhatsApp, we will see that in as much as the guy was at first pretending to be alright, he later pointed out what is bothering him which is lack of funds.

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Let's look at another example.

• Eg

From the above chat, we will see that is as much as she wanted to let things out, she was also finding it difficult to but during the interaction process, she managed to emphasize what I believe to be what is behind her depressed feeling which is "loss of a loved one" probably by separation.

I said it's the loss of a loved one because one doesn't heal from lack of money, nor does one heal from poor academic performance, oppression, or pressure.

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Also, the two above chats were from two different persons with the former being a male while the latter is a female. We will also understand from this that what depresses the male gender most is lack of funds while the female gender is mostly depressed by heartbreak or some sort.

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WAYS TO IDENTIFY DEPRESSED PERSONS

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There are various ways of identifying depressed persons with the common one usually being from their WhatsApp status updates. This method of identification is usually for those that often post on their status.

• Eg

Emotion is one thing that is often difficult to control and one who usually posts on their status always tends to share their emotions unconsciously on their status. When these types of persons are depressed, they usually do not hesitate to let it out.

For persons who do find it so difficult to let things out, you can spot their mood based on the physical attitude as they usually tend to be more quiet than usual and moody as well.

Other signs of depression include;

• Loss of appetite.
• Not wanting to see anyone.
• Feeling empty.
• Wanting fun but rejecting any possible means, etc.

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EFFECTS OF DEPRESSION

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Depression leads to a lot of unfavorable outcomes which some of which includes ;

• Self-harm
• Total emotional damage
• Inability to find happiness in anything
• Inability to socialize
• Poor academic performance
• Inability to be productive
• Suicide, etc.

There are other things which depression can lead to but the above mentioned are ones which are more common with students.

I have a coursemate who was caught with a mobile phone during our 3rd-year exams, his exam script was ceased and he was sent out of the hall. Two days after we got the news that he committed suicide.

We can conclude that he did what he did out of fear of failure which will reduce his academic performance.

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CONCLUSION

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Depression which can simply be regarded as a total absence of happiness is rapidly increasing amongst students and it is being followed by severe consequences of which death isn't far-fetched.

Reaching out and showing love to our fellow students will always go a long way, especially in helping those who are depressed. In a world that is full of troubles and sorrow, the only thing that we are supposed to add is kindness.

@Whitestallion
@Campusconnectng