Sometimes the media depicts depression in a lighthearted way, and we don’t fully realize how many people worldwide are suffering from serious cases of depression. According to a study done by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIHM), an estimated 3.1 million adolescents aged 12 to 17 in the United States had at least one major depressive episode in 2016. This number represents 12.8 percent of the US population in that age group. What is causing this depression within the school setting, and does that tie into the high suicide rate in schools? According to a survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for 15 to 24 year old Americans. This is a very high cause of death within the age bracket where most of these people are still going to school or college. Why is depression in the educational setting so high? Also depression and suicide are pressing problems because they are on the rise. A report by the Healthy People 2020 initiative stated that the suicide rate has increased from 11.3 suicides per 100,000 people (in 2007) to 12.6 suicides per 100,000 people (in 2013). In addition, the depression rate in teenagers has increased from 8.3 percent (in 2008) to 10.7 percent (in 2013). Why is this happening, and why is the adolescent age bracket so affected by this? What is it in our school system that has caused this rise in depression?