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Albert Camus
Albert Camus’s Perspective on Teenage Depression
Teenage depression has become a more noticeable issue in society that has drawn a lot of attention and consideration in recent years. Studying the views and ideas of one absurdist writer, Albert Camus, is crucial to getting more ideas on this complex issue. Albert’s logical work offers an in-depth analysis of human conditions. For instance, his thoughts on depression and his fictional writings such as The Stranger (1942) and The Myth of Sisyphus (1942), provide an understanding of how Camus can respond to the issue of teenage depression as a social epidemic (Sahar. 2022). As discussed in these writings, Camus’s idea of the absurd provides a clear viewpoint to understand adolescent depression. Camus proposes that the world’s indifference to life’s natural emptiness and human concerns leads to the occurrence of depression. Camus’ idea of rebellion and resilience is adolescents can successfully find purpose in life and face existential emptiness. Camus proved within his works that just because you are depressed, it does not mean you can not find happiness, therefore, depression is treatable.
Albert Camus, through his writings, suggests the irrelevance of life’s natural emptiness and human condition as factors that can lead to teenage depression. According to Camus, illogicality originates from natural detachment among humanity’s native desires for meaning and the unconcerned universe that we exist in. In one of his works, The Myth of Sisyphus, Camus mentions that the universe is indifferent and silent to human concerns, interpreting that life is always meaningless (Aboussaouira. 2021). Using this notion, teenage depression can effectively be viewed as an indicator of the person’s conflict with the illogicality of existence and the way of life. Teenagers dealing with depression will always have feelings of emptiness, despair, and meaninglessness. Also, even though teenagers work hard to find their fulfillment and purpose in life, they often face challenges in understanding the absurdity of life, and that life does not possess a natural justification or meaning. Hence, teenagers need to be aware of issues like natural emptiness and how they lead to depression.
The illogicality of being among teenagers who are experiencing depression is always acute. This is because the teenage years mark a period with a high focus on identity formation and knowing oneself, by which people struggle with existential views and questions about their place and roles in the world. “The understanding that life is primarily strange can increase feelings of isolation, anger, and hopelessness, further accelerating the feelings of despair.” (Majd. 2022). In this context, Camus encourages adolescents to face existential emptiness and to recognize the unfound reason of existence while searching for moments of importance and meaning in their lives instead of giving in to desperation and hardships. Albert Camus supports the teens in effectively developing resilience and rebellion during the depression episodes, empowering them to find fulfillment and purpose despite their state of life. Albert’s impression provides a key framework for gaining familiarity with teenage depression as a sign of humankind’s conflict with the main illogicality of existence (Banerjee et al. 2020). By recognizing the natural meaninglessness of life and existing and implementing acts of resilience and rebellion, people can overcome depression with a sense of defiance and existing courage.
Through Camus’s novel, The Stranger, Albert Camus portrays Meursault, the protagonist, as an individual who is indifferent and detached from societal expectations as a way to explain the issue of the natural isolation and disconnection concerning depression. This disconnect is seen in the protagonist’s attitude and behaviors regarding social norms. For instance, when Meursault was asked something about attending the mother’s burial, he successfully showed an absence of emotional engagement by stating, “It occurred to me that anyway, one more Sunday was over, that Maman was buried now, that I was going back to work, and that, really, nothing had changed” (Camus n.d, p.3). Therefore, Camus sees teenage depression as a state of separation in which teenagers often undergo a sense of isolation and disconnection. The disconnection and isolation are replicated in the emotional problems and struggles that face teenagers experiencing depression. Camus writes, “I felt that I had been happy and that I was happy again” (The Stranger. p.7). Such variations between despair and happiness show the internal battle undergone by adolescents who are struggling with depression. In addition, Albert Camus views adolescent depression as a way of separation from others.
Teenagers feel a sense of disconnection from others, and it is hard for them to align with societal norms and expectations. For example, this sense of isolation can be seen in Meursault’s relations with people around him. In one instant, he reflects on his relationships, “I opened myself to the gentle indifference of the world. Finding it so much like myself–so like a brother, really– I felt that I had been happy and that I was happy again” (Camus n.d, p 120). The above sense of connectedness with the harsh world stresses his disconnection from societal expectations and human affiliation. Camus’s examinations of subjects of separation and isolation in The Stranger provide crucial insights into the issue of teenage depression. Through the character portrayed by Meursault, Albert Camus recognizes the existential problems experienced by people who have a sense of detachment from others, as well as themselves, stressing the external and internal battles experienced by adolescents struggling with depression.
In his investigation of separation and isolation, The Stranger provides very crucial and significant insights regarding the occurrence of adolescent depression as a replication of humans struggling with life’s major illogicality. By using Meursault as a character, Albert successfully shows both the external and internal struggles that come with isolation and disconnection from the general society and oneself. This shows the level of emotional difficulties that young people are going through when dealing with the issue of depression.
Albert’s ideas, thinking, viewpoints, and beliefs regarding rebellion and resilience offer an outline for the younger generation to handle the issue of existence with much courage and strength to build coping mechanisms for issues like depression. By acknowledging that life does not naturally have meaning, purpose, and importance, developing high-level defiance can be crucial when fighting against absurdity. However, this does not mean that people cannot find happiness and a sense of belonging even though the world is full of chaos. Due to this, using his book The Stranger (1942), Albert Camus has successfully addressed the issue of societal and individual isolation. The book not only provides important insights into having in-depth familiarity with adolescent depression but also enables us to curb it successfully. Therefore, while life comes with natural illogicality, teens and society need to face the challenges life brings positively to enhance wellness and improve the quality of life.
References
Aboussaouira, R. (2021) Albert Camus "The Myth of Sisyphus": Absurdism and the Question of Happiness. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/El-Mehdi-Khachiche/publication/356903832_Albert_Camus'_The_Myth_of_Sisyphus_Absurdism_and_the_Question_of_Happiness/links/63fb97110cf1030a56541463/Albert-Camus-The-Myth-of-Sisyphus-Absurdism-and-the-Question-of-Happiness.pdf.
Banerjee, D., Rao, T. S., Kallivayalil, R. A., & Javed, A. (2020). Revisiting ‘The Plague’ by Camus: Shaping the ‘social absurdity of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Asian journal of psychiatry, 54, 102291. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajp.2020.102291.
Camus, A. (n.d.). The Stranger [PDF file]. Retrieved from https://www.slps.org/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinstanceid=27607&dataid=78367&FileName=The%20Stranger%20-%20Albert%20Camus.pdf.
Majd, H. (2022). Social Aspects Of Alienation In Albert Camus’ Novel The Stranger Between Quantitative And Qualitative Analyses. https://dspace.univ-ouargla.dz/jspui/bitstream/123456789/27177/1/13f.pdf.
Shahar, G. (2022). Yalom, Stranger, and the psychodynamics of inner freedom: A contribution to existential psychoanalysis. Psychoanalytic Psychology, 39(1), 5.https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/pap0000395.
2024 by Shelby Dewbre. Powered and secured by WIX
Argument Proposal
Teenage Depression
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Depression is a serious and widespread adolescent mental health problem that
affects the lives of many young people globally. It is characterized by feelings of being sad, hopeless, and lacking interest in activities; hence, depression needs to be treated appropriately as it has serious impacts on academic performances, as well as interpersonal relationships for their social life dynamics. The appropriate solution for the health problem, therefore, is encouraging teenagers to reach out for help to receive the best support.
Solutions and Prevention of Teenage Depression
Depression is a common mental concern in teenagers that impairs their daily life functioning and quality of life. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression is the leading origin of illness and disability among teenagers globally (Ogbonna et al, 2020). Teenagers are encouraged to seek help from trusted individuals such as teachers, parents, and mental health professionals to prevent long-term repercussions. However, they encounter challenges such as stigmatization, confidentiality, and financial barriers.
Creating Awareness
Firstly, cultural attitudes toward mental health vary; hence, “the fear of judgment leads to a sense of isolation and reluctance to open up about their experiences” (Misra, et al., 2021he challenge is imposed on misconceptions, but raising awareness through health promotion programs, promoting empathy and understanding eradicates stigma and creates a supportive environment for teenagers. Education and advocacy efforts in schools, communities, and the media, change societal attitudes toward mental health illness and promote acceptance and inclusivity. According to the End of Silence (ETS) program developed by the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the program reduces negative stereotypes, improves mental health knowledge, and anticipates less risk of disclosing to a counselor (DeLuca et l., 2021).
In a school setup, they collaborate with tutors, directors, and guardians to design a habitat that prioritizes awareness and intervention. The inclusion of mental health education and support services within the school curriculum enables students to place importance on their overall well-being and to reach out for help when encountering difficulties. Through engagement in support groups with their peers, adolescents cultivate a nurturing environment where they can exchange their experiences, receive understanding, and develop genuine connections, “the sense of belonging breaks the cycle of loneliness and despair often associated with mental health issues, promoting feelings of acceptance and support among teenagers” (DeLuca., 2021).
Professional Therapy
Secondly, accessing professional aid, like therapy and counseling, empowers teenagers to receive help. The Uncertainty of privacy hinders communication from depressed individuals. The breach of confidentiality compromises privacy, damaging relationships and worsening mental conditions. Therapists offer a secure environment where young individuals can openly articulate their feelings and thoughts. Counselors’ affirmation of their emotions diminishes feelings of loneliness and uncertainty. Moreover, seeking help through therapy such as Cognitive- behavioral therapy (CBT), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), and family therapy facilitates the development of crucial coping strategies among teenagers. The therapy sessions identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors, improve interpersonal relationships and communication skills, and process and focus on improving family dynamics and communication, respectively (Hazell, 2021). According to (Mendez et al., 2021), “17.1% of the adolescents in the Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) group showed depression at the end of treatment, whereas 32.3% and 42.4% of the Family Therapy (FT) and non-directive supportive therapy (NDST) groups, respectively, still showed significant depressive disorder,” therefore, in therapy sessions, teenagers are helped significantly through Cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Additionally, the professionals offer crisis intervention and referrals to external resources such as medication. Professionals such as psychiatrists evaluate the severity of depression, determine the most appropriate medication regimen, and monitor an individual’s progress throughout treatment. Conversely, “meals and sugar highly manufactured and saturated fats are linked to a high probability of depression and mental health disorders in adolescents' ' (Kim et al, 2020), incorporating practices such as meditation, mindful breathing, and yoga ease the burdens and difficulties they encounter. These methods foster calmness, self-reflection, and control over emotions. By taking a proactive stance on mental well-being, adolescents are empowered with strategies to manage existing stressors and develop the resilience needed to tackle future obstacles with assurance and strength.
The uncertainty of privacy hinders communication from depressed teenagers. The breach of confidentiality compromises privacy, damaging relationships and worsening mental conditions. Accessing professional aid, like therapy, and counseling, empowers teenagers to receive help. Therapists offer a secure environment where young individuals can openly articulate their feelings and thoughts. Counselor’s affirmation of their emotions diminishes feelings of loneliness and uncertainty. Additionally, the professionals offer crisis intervention and referrals to external resources such as medication.
Professionals such as psychiatrists evaluate the severity of depression, determine the most appropriate medication regimen and monitor an individual’s progress throughout treatment. In a school setup, they collaborate with tutors, directors, and guardians to design a habitat that prioritizes awareness and intervention. The inclusion of mental health education and support services within the school curriculum enables students to place importance on their overall well-being and to reach others for help when encountering difficulties. “Through engagement in support groups with their peers, adolescents cultivate a nurturing environment where they can exchange their experiences, receive understanding, and develop genuine connections” (Twenge, 2020). Ultimately, the sense of belonging breaks the cycle of loneliness and despair often associated with mental health issues, promoting feelings of acceptance and support among teenagers.
Lastly, dependence on parental support for payment and limited access to affordable mental health services due to inadequate insurance coverage creates hesitance due to financial strain. Ensuring the accessibility and inclusivity of mental health support services is paramount in reaching all teenagers, regardless of their background of conditions; “by implementing innovative approaches, such as telehealth services, mobile clinics, and culturally competent care, mental health becomes accessible and responsive to the diverse needs of teenagers” (Misra et al, 2021). Hotlines and online resources are informal support systems that provide accessible avenues for help and information about mental health. Online platforms and websites provide valuable resources, including educational materials, self-help tools, and community forums where teenagers interact with digital platforms, mental health organizations reach a broader audience and bridge gaps in mental health services, particularly for teenagers in underserved communities or remote areas.
In conclusion, teenage depression is a prevalent and multifaceted mental health issue that demands an inclusive, multi-pronged strategy for prevention and treatment. With Knowledge of the different types, symptoms, and impacts that depression displays in teens, society can develop an environment conducive to mental well-being. There are many ways to help teenagers throughout their depression. Preventing depression is hard, especially if the adolescent does not speak up in order to receive help. In order to prevent and cure depression, reaching out for help will always be the first and best step for curing depression.
References
Bauer, A., Stevens, M., Purtscheller, D., Knapp, M., Fonagy, P., Evans-Lacko, S., & Paul, J. (2021). Mobilising social support to improve mental health for children and adolescents: A systematic review using principles of realist synthesis. PLoS One, 16(5), e0251750.https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0251750
DeLuca, J. S., Tang, J., Zoubaa, S., Dial, B., & Yanos, P. T. (2021). Reducing stigma in high school students: A cluster randomized controlled trial of the National Alliance on Mental Illness’ Ending the Silence intervention. Stigma and Health, 6(2), 228. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2020-35680-001
Hazell, P. (2021). Updates in treatment of depression in children and adolescents. Current opinion in psychiatry, 34(6), 593-599. https://journals.lww.com/co-psychiatry/fulltext/2021/11000/Updates_in_treatment_of_depression_in_children_and.11.aspx
Méndez, J., Sánchez-Hernández, Ó., Garber, J., Espada, J. P., & Orgiles, M. (2021). Psychological treatments for depression in adolescents: more than three decades later. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(9), 4600. https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/9/4600
Misra, S., Jackson, V. W., Chong, J., Choe, K., Tay, C., Wong, J., & Yang, L. H. (2021). Systematic review of cultural aspects of stigma and mental illness among racial and ethnic minority groups in the United States: Implications for interventions. American journal of community psychology, 68(3-4), 486-512.https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ajcp.12516
Ogbonna, P. N., Iheanacho, P. N., Ogbonnaya, N. P., Mbadugha, C. J., Ndubuisi, I., & Chikeme, P. C. (2020). Prevalence of mental illness among adolescents (15–18 years) treated at Federal Neurospsychiatric Hospital, Enugu Nigeria, from 2004 to 2013. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 34(1), 7-13.Ssegonja, R., Sampaio, F., Alaie, I., Philipson, A., https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0883941719302973
Ssegonja, R., Sampaio, F., Alaie, I., Philipson, A., Hagberg, L., Murray, K., ... & Feldman, I. (2020). Cost-effectiveness of an indicated preventive intervention for depression in adolescents. European Journal of Public Health, 30(Supplement_5), ckaa166-1029.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165032720326823
Twenge, J. M. (2020). Why increases in adolescent depression may be linked to the technological environment. Current opinion in psychology, 32, 89-94.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352250X19300880
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