Depression
Engaging in discussions about depression presents numerous benefits for English learners seeking to improve their language skills. Exploring this topic allows learners to expand their vocabulary by familiarising themselves with terms related to mental health, emotions and psychological well-being.
Additionally, discussing depression encourages learners to practice expressing their thoughts, opinions and experiences in English, thereby enhancing their speaking and conversational abilities.
Instructions:
Go through the vocabulary below with your students and ask them to try and use this vocabaulry where possible when discussing the different conversation questions.Depression is a disorder that causes a person to experience feelings of sadness and loss of interest in things they normally enjoy. It’s something that affects millions of people every year, and it can be incredibly difficult to cope with.
If you’re dealing with depression, you might feel like there’s no hope for you. But it’s important to remember that this is a treatable condition. There are many ways to find relief from depression, including therapy, medication, and exercise. Although it may seem overwhelming at first, there are many things you can do to help yourself deal with the symptoms of depression.
Useful Vocabulary
Try and use the following vocabulary when answering the question. Click to look up the definition in the dictionary
Conversation Questions
- Is depression more prevalent now than 100 years ago?
- How would you describe depression?
- Why do you think people get depressed?
- What’s the difference between sadness and depression?
- Do you know someone who has experienced depression?
- What can people suffering from depression do to help themselves?
- What can other people do to help those suffering with depression?
- How do you think society views and treats individuals with depression?
- What are some common signs and symptoms of depression?
- What role do you think family and friends can play in helping someone with depression?
- Should mental health education be mandatory in schools to raise awareness and reduce the stigma around depression?
- Does social media exacerbate or alleviate depression?
- Is medication a necessary and effective treatment for depression, or should alternative therapies be explored first?
- Is the rise in depression cases primarily due to increased awareness and diagnosis, or are there other factors at play?
- Should employers be legally required to provide mental health support and accommodations for employees with depression?
- If you had the opportunity to create a nationwide campaign to raise awareness about depression, what strategies would you implement?
- Are there any cultural or societal factors that contribute to the prevalence of depression?
- What steps would you take if you noticed signs of depression in yourself or a loved one?
- Should depression be considered a disability?
- If you had the power to implement one policy to reduce depression rates, what would it be and how would you ensure its effectiveness?
