Is School Making You Feel Depressed?

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Depression

Read Time: 5 Minutes

Written by:Reshawna Chapple, PhD, LCSW

Published On: December 28, 2023

Medically reviewed by: Jill E. Daino, LCSW-R

Reviewed On: December 20, 2023

Updated On: December 28, 2023

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Overview

School is a huge part of your life. It shapes you in ways far beyond academics — and it isn’t always easy. If you’ve ever thought: “school makes me depressed,” the most important thing for you to know is that you’re not alone. The National Institute of Mental Health reported more than 5 million teenagers had one or more major depressive episodes within the last year — that’s more than 20% of the population — and nearly 15% (3.7 million) had episodes that caused “severe impairment.”

Depression in schools is at an all-time high. If you’ve been feeling depressed lately, it’s crucial that you explore what you’re going through to determine if it’s within what’s considered the “normal” range of “feeling blue,” or if it might be time to seek help coping and managing depression before things become worse.When feeling sadder than usual, remember that your feelings are valid. Depression doesn’t discriminate — it can affect anybody at any time. Remember that you’re not alone in your struggle. Whether your depressive symptoms have a social impact or are affecting your academic growth, the first step in managing any mental health challenge is discovering why you’re feeling the way you are and learning what you can do about it. Read on for more on school depression.

6 Reasons Why School Might Make You Feel Depressed

School can be overwhelming — it’s filled with social and academic demands that can seem impossible at times. It’s not uncommon for school stressors to lead teens down a path that ends in depression.

The simple truth is today’s teenagers face incredible pressure to keep up their grades, participate in extracurricular activities and sports, and navigate complex social dynamics that technology has further complicated — all of which can lead to school depression. Add in bullying or a lack of support at home, and it’s easy to see why depression in schools has skyrocketed in recent years.

Social pressure

High school is full of peer pressure trying to make you fit into a certain mold. The teen years are formative, and the weight of social pressures can have a dire impact on mental well-being since acceptance from peers plays such a critical role in shaping self-esteem and identity.

Almost every teen wants to fit in, and the constant push and pull between being an individual and conforming can create internal turmoil that manifests as school anxiety or depression.

Academic pressure

For some students, school can become an oppressive environment. Faced with tests, homework, grades, and the pressure of getting into college, it’s easy to see how things can pile up, and the desire to excel can quickly become overwhelming.

Academic stress is one of the main culprits of student depression, according to research. High expectations from teachers and parents can cause the fear of failure that’s felt by an increasing number of teens.

Bullying

The saying you don’t have to hit to hurt is true. Bullying can cause more than just physical harm — it can leave deep, painful, emotional scars that can force teens into the throes of depression.

Some studies suggest that as many as 20% of teens in this country have been bullied at some point. Bullying can lead to feelings of sadness and loneliness and cause changes in sleep and eating patterns. Some teens lose interest in things they once enjoyed, experience deteriorating health, and see academic achievement suffer as the result of being bullied.

No support

The teen years are often filled with as much struggle as they are joy. Not having enough support — either from friends, teachers, or family — can deepen feelings of depression. Without a supportive network, life’s burdens can feel virtually unbearable, leading to symptoms of depression that are difficult to navigate.

Not getting enough sleep

Sleep is essential to maintaining good mental health. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine suggests teens get an average of 8 to 10 hours of sleep every night for optimal health. So often, though, teens trade sleep to keep up with homework responsibilities, after-school activities, sports, jobs, and social obligations.

Feeling like you don’t have control over your environment

Schools are driven by structure, and it’s by design. Rules are necessary to keep order, but they can feel restrictive, too, since teens often feel they don’t have much say about what’s happening in their own lives.

It’s this lack of personal control that can make school feel so depressing for some teens. Being unable to choose what classes to take, when breaks are allowed, or how quick the pace of study moves can make the learning process frustrating.

Expert Insight
“For many, school creates pressures to compete with peers, dress a certain way, fit into the right circle, and generally be social. This can cause feelings of self-doubt and low self-esteem for many, which can lead to depression and isolation in some cases. The challenges of being in the correct social circle can take the focus from school.”

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), PhD Reshawna Chapple

What to Do If You’re Feeling Depressed from School

ven though school depression is common, taking proactive steps can be a game-changer for the majority of teens. Several of the following simple, easy-to-implement actions can improve teen mental health, so if you or a teen you know has been thinking school makes them depressed lately, explore the tips here.

Take a break

Taking a break can help clear the mind if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the demands of school. This may mean stepping away for an hour (or day), asking a teacher for an extension on a project, giving yourself regular time to do things you enjoy, or taking a mental health day.

Participate when and where you can

Becoming more active in classes, discussions, group projects, or clubs or events at school can help with stress, anxiety, and depression. Positive interactions with peers and teachers can help you feel engaged in your environment, which is a natural fight against depression.

Identify both healthy and unhealthy influences

Learning to be aware of healthy as well as negative influences in life is a tool you’ll use even after you’re done with school. Figuring out what lifts you up and breaks you down can help you begin to surround yourself with positivity that can change your mindset around school.

Ask for help

It can be intimidating to ask for help, but knowing you don’t have to go through this alone is essential in overcoming feelings of depression. Whether you confide in a trusted teacher, reach out to a counselor, ask a parent for help, or spend time with a friend or a family member, it’s important to have people in your life who’ll be ready to listen when you need them.

The National Institute of Mental Health emphasizes how important it is to ask for help as soon as possible after experiencing depressive symptoms — according to their research, the sooner you get support, the more effective treatment will be.

Get therapy

While school depression can feel impossible to overcome, the good news is depression is very treatable. Therapy can offer you a lifeline, and online therapy platforms like Talkspace can provide the perfect solution for busy teens with depression. Online treatment is convenient and affordable, too, and it’s available wherever you are. Studies show that seeking therapy for depression online can be just as effective as in-person treatment, so you don’t have to worry about the quality of care you’ll be getting.

Expert Insight
“Seeking treatment for depression from a mental health professional, like a Talkspace therapist, can drastically reduce symptoms of depression. Therapists can help you learn positive coping skills and ways of addressing your depression, loneliness, and feelings of inadequacy. A therapist can also help you recognize some of the negative coping mechanisms you might have developed to deal with pressure, which can otherwise lead to further bouts of depression.”

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), PhD Reshawna Chapple

Finding Professional Support for Depression

Talkspace therapists are licensed and experienced in helping teens deal with the challenges of school depression. If you’re wondering why school is so depressing, seeking professional support through online teen therapy can help you work through the root issues.

Reach out today to learn more about the benefits of Talkspace and to explore why school makes you feel depressed. You don’t have to battle this alone. The right therapy and support can give you the tools you need to learn to manage depression in healthy ways.

See References

Major depression
National Institute of Mental Health. Accessed November 22, 2023.
The association between academic pressure and Adolescent Mental Health Problems: A systematic review
Steare T, Gutiérrez Muñoz C, Sullivan A, Lewis G. Journal of Affective Disorders. 2023;339:302-317. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2023.07.028.
Facts about bullying
Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs (ASPA). StopBullying.gov. September 9, 2021. Accessed November 22, 2023.
Sleep is key to help teens recharge for success this school year
American Academy of Sleep Medicine – Association for Sleep Clinicians and Researchers. August 11, 2017. Accessed November 22, 2023.
Depression
National Institute of Mental Health. Accessed November 22, 2023.
Telemental health care, an effective alternative to conventional mental care: A systematic review
Langarizadeh M, Tabatabaei M, Tavakol K, Naghipour M, Moghbeli F. Acta Informatica Medica. 2017;25(4):240. doi:10.5455/aim.2017.25.240-246. Accessed November 22, 2023.

Reshawna Chapple

Dr. Reshawna Chapple, PhD, LCSW is a Therapist and Peer Consultant at Talkspace. She is a California born - Florida based Licensed Clinical Social Worker and an Associate Professor of Social Work at the University of Central Florida. Her areas of research, teaching and practice include the intersection of race, gender and ability, intimate partner violence and trauma recovery, and access to culturally responsive mental health treatment for Black women and Deaf women.