Introduction
Depression is one of the leading contemporary issues that teenagers face today. This disorder negatively impacts the mental state of teenagers and interferes with their daily routines. Horowitz and Graf (2019) explain that in the modern world, teenage depression is a significant concern, especially among those aged between 10-18 years, which indicates that it is a substantial concern among modern teenagers. The essay examines depression among teenagers, its external stressors, and support options for teenagers who face these stressors.
External Stressors
There are multiple stressors linked to depression among teenagers. Research has identified bullying as a significant external stressor to teenage depression. Ye et al. (2023) argue that since 2013, bullying has been a rising issue, and it is estimated to impact between 20 and 30% of teenagers. The advancement of technology and social media has facilitated this. The rise of social networking sites has allowed bullying to change and take new forms where bullies can remain unidentified.
Family issues, such as marital problems, domestic violence, and divorce, might lead to teenage depression. Anderson et al. (2022) noted that teenagers from households with family issues have a high likelihood of developing depression compared to those from peaceful homes. In the long run, the stress they endure due to their family issues might progress to depression. Another stressor for teens is the influence of their peer friendships and other relationships. According to Nagabharana et al. (2021), teenagers often strive to establish their individuality as they grow older, seeking independence and reducing their reliance on their parents. However, this often may lead to feelings of inner confusion and struggle, leading to depression.
Assessment Approach
Head-to-toe assessments may be utilized in screening for depression among teenagers and start with the nurse observing the patient’s hygiene level and mood. After this, the nurse conducts head-to-toe assessments, beginning with vital signs and progressing to neurologic evaluation. Nagabharanaet al. (2021) suggest that depressed teens primarily exhibit functional, emotional, and physical problems. Thus, the assessor should look for physical anomalies, such as mood and emotional changes, such as manifestations of high fear levels. This focused neurological examination may identify any functional problems.
Asking the client if they have been victims of bullying is one of the additional questions the assessor should ask. Another central question should emphasize the client’s self-esteem, asking them how they feel about themselves. The confidentiality of the client must be ensured at all costs, and parents must be educated on the significance of privacy. It would be unethical for a healthcare provider to disclose private details about the teen to their parent or guardian. However, in case of any safety concerns like bodily harm, jeopardy, or harming others, it will be ethical for the assessor to disclose the information for the safety of the client and others.
Support Options
Offering education and skills is one of the ways to alleviate depression in teens. Programs educating teenagers on strategies to deal with stressors like bullying should be implemented at the school and societal levels. The programs should be implemented in a manner that informs teachers and parents on the strategies to recognize when adolescents are suffering from this condition. Social support systems like teen groups for teenagers with depression should be formed. Anderson et al. (2022) write that social support options for depressed teens are an excellent way to support, care, and aid their recovery. Utilizing these strategies may ensure that depressed teens receive adequate support and care.
Conclusion
This paper has identified depression as a contemporary issue affecting teenagers. Depression negatively impacts how a person behaves, thinks, and feels. It also leads to functional, physical, and emotional problems. The external stressors for this condition include bullying, family issues, and peer influence. The head-to-toe and neurologic assessments may be utilized to examine if a teen is depressed or not. Offering education and skills and providing teen support groups are excellent social support options for depressed teens.
References
Anderson, J. R., Mayes, T. L., Fuller, A., Hughes, J. L., Minhajuddin, A., & Trivedi, M. H. (2022). Experiencing bullying’s impact on adolescent depression and anxiety: Mediating role of adolescent resilience. Journal ofAffective Disorders, 310, 477-483. Web.
Horowitz, J. M., & Graf, N. (2019). Most US teens see anxiety and depression as a major problem among their peers. Pew Research Center, 20. Web.
Nagabharana, T. K., Joseph, S., Rizwana, A., Krishna, M., Barker, M., Fall, C., Kumaran, K., & Krishnaveni, G. V. (2021). What stresses adolescents? A qualitative study on perceptions of stress, stressors and coping mechanisms among urban adolescents in India. Wellcome Open Research, 6, 106. Web.
Ye, Z., Wu, D., He, X., Ma, Q., Peng, J., Mao, G., Feng, L., & Tong, Y. (2023). Meta-analysis of the relationship between bullying and depressive symptoms in children and adolescents. BMC Psychiatry, 23(1), 215. Web.