Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. What does it mean when someone is “depressed”? List symptoms, signs, and effects of depression.

Teaching Suggestion: As this is a sensitive subject, students might prefer to address the question independently and privately. It may also be helpful to clarify the difference between feeling ”depressed” in an informal sense and experiencing diagnosed depression.

• This 5-minute video from the Mayo Clinic offers an overview of depression.
• This checklist is for teens who may know someone who is depressed. It provides ideas for supporting that person.

2. What is unique about being a teenager? In other words, what experiences and challenges occur largely to people around 12-17 years old?

Teaching Suggestion: This question offers a chance to introduce the theme of Unique Pressures of Young Adulthood. Students are likely to begin with common adolescent conflicts and concerns but may move into larger, more complex challenges and experiences.

• This UC Berkeley article highlights key differences between teens of previous generations and those of today, noting mental health as a major concern.