My life

Small story

Hi guys I was doing a project on depression
When I came across this amazing small story
So I wanted to share it with you guys

Here it is

Depression in children and teens is on the rise, a heartbreaking trend that cuts across all demographics—rich and poor, rural and urban. According to Mental Health America, a staggering one in five young people suffers from depression, which can lead to academic failure, substance abuse, and suicide. While depression is sometimes caused by one traumatic event, it's more common to have multiple factors converge to create the condition. Depression is often mistaken for normal teen angst; caring and well-meaning caregivers often miss the warning signs, especially in kids who appear to be thriving.

Sam didn't seem like the kind of kid who could be depressed. On the outside, everything about her life appeared wonderful, almost idyllic. She was raised in a wealthy suburb of Boston by a supportive family with a great circle of friends, and was known as a hardworking student and talented athlete. Athletics were more than extracurricular activities for Sam—they were a large part of her identity. She was a star athlete, playing three sports in a competitive school.

But in her sophomore year, her life began to unravel. Sam suffered a series of injuries that prevented her from participating in sports. The void left by the activities that once gave her a sense of belonging set off a chain reaction that would change the course of her life. Sam began struggling with her personal identity and started feeling that there was something about her that was different from everyone else.

Being an athlete offered Sam a strong sense of self; without that in her life, the feelings of isolation were only magnified. She began spiraling into depression and had recurring thoughts about hurting herself.