1. Reference Piece 1
Depression has perhaps become a widespread affliction, especially among students. When experiencing depression, individuals often exhibit symptoms such as difficulty sleeping, inexplicable irritability, a preference for solitude, fatigue, and even feelings of worthlessness and an inability to concentrate on tasks. What's even more alarming is that depressed individuals often engage in self-harming behaviors. So what are the main causes of depression in students? The primary cause is the academic pressure from both family and teachers. When teachers and parents place high expectations on students and add to that the fatigue and stress of studying, it leads to students feeling tired, bored, and heavily stressed. This causes them to neglect their studies and entertain negative thoughts. Another cause is lifestyle and emotional life. Nowadays, young people have unhealthy lifestyles such as staying up late, gaming addiction, neglecting eating, etc. These things disrupt their mental development, creating unnecessary stress. Nowadays, parents often focus on work without paying attention to their children. This loneliness, isolation, and lack of affection have led to stress, depression, and negative behaviors in young people. Therefore, we must be aware of the enormous harm of depression and address it.

2. Reference Piece 3
Modern life's hectic pace is leaving people weary in spirit. Mental health disorders are becoming increasingly prevalent. It's not just about safeguarding physical health anymore; modern individuals need to understand psychological ailments to preserve their inner well-being. Mental illness is a term referring to disorders related to mental health. When afflicted with mental illness, a person's emotions, thoughts, and behaviors undergo abnormal changes. Typically, these disorders lead individuals to experience fatigue, insomnia, weight loss, lack of concentration, and even suicidal tendencies. 'Mental illness' is a phrase that has been around for ages, but in today's society, this affliction is spreading wider. From students sitting in classrooms to adults, anyone can become a victim of mental instability. The causes of modern mental illness are diverse. Academic and work pressures, familial stress, shattered ideals, and uncertainty about the future can all lead to mental anguish. Societal sophistication doesn't always correlate with cultural refinement. People still face prejudices, criticism, and the burden of striving for perfection daily. Mental illness can have serious consequences. It can impair our ability to concentrate and affect our daily lives. When under excessive stress, many turn to stimulants to relieve their minds, gradually damaging both their physical and mental health. Many resort to extreme coping mechanisms such as isolating themselves, self-imposed isolation, or self-harm, affecting both themselves and those around them. We cannot simply tell someone suffering from mental illness to 'cheer up' or 'be optimistic' in a hollow manner. What they truly need is empathy, encouragement, and genuine assistance. Each mental imbalance requires different treatment approaches, but ultimately, we must care for and love those around us right now. Let's not allow obsessions and sorrows to steal away the love we have for one another. The greatest thing in life is to love and be loved, so let's pay attention to our own spiritual well-being and that of those around us. Together, we can build a civilized society where people are happy.

3. Reference Piece 2
One of the common reasons for depression among young individuals is the pressure from academics and family circumstances. Parental expectations regarding academic performance and examinations often lead to heightened stress levels, causing individuals to feel overwhelmed and sometimes lose control over their thoughts. Unhappiness within the family environment is also a significant contributor to depressive symptoms among children. Furthermore, the fast-paced nature of modern life with increasing work pressures, overworked brains, feelings of isolation, excessive reliance on social media, and the rapid rise in stress levels in Vietnam are all factors contributing to the growing prevalence of depression today. Individuals suffering from depression often believe they can overcome the illness on their own without assistance. However, attempting to alleviate symptoms independently or hoping for the illness to resolve itself may lead the affected individuals to withdraw further, becoming more reclusive and stagnant, even resorting to self-harming behaviors that endanger themselves or others. Therefore, individuals with depression require professional medical attention from reputable hospitals with high-quality expertise and modern equipment, providing the best conditions for assessment, counseling, and effective psychological interventions.

4. Reference Piece 4
Recently, the media has been reporting on a male Korean idol singer who tragically lost his life after a prolonged battle with depression. Reading those headlines fills my heart with bitterness, as yet another life seems to have crumbled, with a soul shattered to the core. That psychological ailment, truly horrifying, seems like something I've experienced too… I only knew, in middle school, I was the pride of my parents and a role model for my peers with four consecutive years of being the top student. Those around me began to praise and label me as exceptionally talented. They propelled me to great heights but offered no path for me to descend. Consequently, I became paranoid, terrified of falling from that peak. Yet, somehow, I managed to persevere, miraculously getting through all of middle school. But by high school, I completely collapsed. Holding the report card for the first semester, being a decent student, was truly shocking. I was stunned, dazed all day long. Where did I go wrong? What foolish mistakes did I make on those exams? Did the teacher not favor me, grading me harshly? Despite all the excuses, they only made me feel more bitter and embarrassed. I desperately commanded myself to achieve the title of excellent student at any cost. I threw myself into studying, but the more I studied, the more counterproductive it became. I relentlessly competed and compared grades with friends. When they scored higher than me, I would think the teachers favored them and repeatedly recount their high scores with pretended admiration while secretly resenting them. I didn't know why I acted that way; it didn't make me happy at all, it only deepened the sadness within me. Many times I wanted to stand up, to change, but then I would be knocked down again, feeling overwhelmed, I was trapped. Trapped in the cycle of books and grades. Trapped in meaningless and monotonous days. I blamed my wretched fate, cruelly mocking myself: 'You're not only not beautiful but also dumb and lazy.' Every time I walked down the street, I would hang my head low. Everyone around me was talented and beautiful, while I had nothing to be proud of. I even felt every mistake in the world was mine, so every time like that I would immediately say, 'I'm sorry.' I thought maybe I was sensitive, or thoughtlessly pensive, then did too much or simply I was stressed, I was under pressure. Then the documentaries, the articles appeared, teaching me more about the concept of depression. I began comparing my psychological symptoms with those of the disease and horrifyingly realized, it seems like I... I dare not say the thought: 'I am depressed' to anyone because I fear, I'm afraid they'll scold me for saying something absurd, something insane. They wouldn't understand what I need because I don't even understand myself. I can still laugh and joke with friends and family, I can confide in them, just sometimes feel empty and sad, that's all! In the end, it's still just me who gets through those stormy days in my soul. No psychiatrist, no family member, no friends, no one knows anything about those days. Only the tears, the songs, the writings, and I can soothe myself. Now I am learning to live calmly. The image that others have set for me is beautiful, but I will transform according to my true nature. I am surprised at how brave and rational I am. I did not turn my pain into the pain of those I love, fortunately! I am lucky because I am calmer after stepping out of my own story. I feel sorry for those who did not stand firm until the end, but I respect their decision. Because after all, each of us has experienced a mental illness, where how we face and overcome it is different, but that's what makes us feel most peaceful and happy.
