Dear fellow students:

    This topic today may serve as a warning to both you and your parents, so, please do share what I am about to explain with all of your family. My letter today is on health, especially relating to teenage depression that I believe many students, parents and even teachers are not very aware of.

    There are three students in my grade who have suffered from severe depression, with a few more having suffered from minor depression. Depression is getting more and more common in high schools, especially in boarding schools where the pressure on academic expectation, the fast pace of modern life and the daily peer pressure one encounters can be extremely difficult to cope with.

    According to some recent scientific research, depression is among the most common diseases that threaten teenagers today. The highest risk period is said to be between ages 14 and 16, the most crucial timing of your high school years.

    Depression can come from social and academic pressure and high expectations. With boarders this is especially so, as there is a lack of daily family support in which day students on the other hand benefit from.

    Day-school students are able to return home for dinner and receive overnight parental care. The risky issue with boarding school is that because you are attending school at such a young age you may not be aware of the changes going on with your body physically or mentally.

    With limited adult attention from school administrators, who are certainly not comparable to your own parents, no matter how well your house mistresses perform their duties, once you develop depression it only gets worse by the day.

    Depression is not a disease that can be easily noticed, and it can be very serious when your behavior goes unnoticed by the school, yourself and your parents. The three serious sufferers in my grade had to quit school to have a comprehensive rest before resuming their studies.

    I would suggest that you inform your parents and the school if you notice any of the following symptoms: poor appetite, insomnia, lack of motivation, a constant feeling of isolation, or an addiction to Web surfing.

    Do not feel ashamed to discuss any depression-related issues with adults around you and seek assistance from the medical center or even just your friends.

    It is indeed difficult at such a young age to look after yourself, so, you really need to receive some attention from adults in order to find solutions. Otherwise, it may develop into a long-term mental disease that will haunt you throughout your life.

    The U.K. government has published a booklet of guidelines to help students, parents and school administrators in tackling depression, and I would heartily suggest that you or your parents get a copy of this booklet. Even if you do not have such a problem, it is good knowledge to have as an overseas boarder in order to prevent depression from happening to you.

    Yours fondly,

    Susan M B Chen

    Year 13 student at Downe House School