Depression In Speak By Laurie Halse Anderson

In this current generation depression is becoming more and more prevalent in impressionable teenagers. This issue of depression is also an important theme in the book Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson in which the main character Melinda tries to overcome after a traumatic summer party. Throughout the novel there are many displays and signs of Melinda's depression. Of these signs the three most noticeable include her low self-esteem which is seen in every one of her decisions, habits of isolation/social withdrawal at school and even at home, and self harm. She unveils these signs of depression with every test and challenge she faces. Melinda goes into a downward spiral; with her forms of expressing and coping with depression becoming progressively

After another evening of her parents arguing and interrogating her she runs to her haven, her bedroom where she attempts to suicide “pitifully”. “I open up a paper clip and scratch it across the inside of my left wrist. Pitiful. [...] I draw little windowcracks of blood, etching line after line until it stops hurting.”, she even treats her attempt a suicide “pitiful”. Melinda cutting herself is a sign of her finding a way to cope with her mental health issues. Dealing with the constant nonsense at school, at home, and in the past leaves Melinda with little breathing space. This is not the only instance of Melinda injuring herself, on many occasions she has coped with the mental suffrage through self harm. She bites her lips until she tastes the blood. “I bite my lip. [...] My lip bleeds a little.”. Her former best friend Rachel or rather Rachelle mouths to Melinda “I hate you”. To bring the pain away from her mind she brings pain to her body. To forget all the things Rachel did, “IT” did. Everytime something triggers her or brings her to the past she resorts to self harm or self degradation. Melinda is in dire need of a guide and someone that will help her. On a long enough time frame this method of coping through self harm will lead Melinda to a worse state than she is now with more physical and mental