Adolescent depression in Chinese schools and families: a case study of 20 adolescents

This study examines adolescent depression within Chinese families and educational environments through an action research approach, engaging researchers and practitioners in continuous cycles of observation, intervention, and reflection. Within this iterative process, direct counselling sessions and family therapy were deployed as active intervention mechanisms alongside the qualitative analysis of 20 depressed individuals aged 13 to 22. The findings indicate that adolescent depression emerges from a complex interplay of academic pressures and socio-environmental stressors. Family dysfunction—particularly parental separation and emotionally volatile parenting—frequently serves as a primary root cause, compounded by severe academic competition and peer rejection. Notably, female and middle school participants exhibited heightened vulnerability, with nearly half of the cohort utilizing non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) to cope with emotional distress. To bridge existing care gaps, the study proposes a collaborative, ecosystemic intervention model integrating families, schools, medical systems, and peer networks. Furthermore, policymakers are encouraged to establish national mental health registries, mandate standardized school-based screenings, and provide targeted subsidies to support long-term adolescent recovery and resilience.