I choose not to speculate on why others fell into depression (and still do) at a young age. I know for me, it was very situational. Home, school and in between there was no escape from the torment, pressure, unrealistic expectations and serious lack of understanding. No one saw a kid, they saw someone who had a job and if it wasn't getting done, then the kid needed correcting. I was told what my day was going to be like with no personal choice in the matter, I was in trouble for things that were trivial, I was told what my future was going to be and expected to pursue that alone. Honestly, the vast majority of adults wouldn't stand to be treated as a sub-human "pupil". I don't believe it's fair to do the same to children and expect no resistance. I hate seeing a kid with a dream and the ambition to go for it, but then watch them crushed and riticuled for it because it doesn't fit the status queue. Conventional schooling isn't for everyone but is the standard and when a kid can't live up to this standard, they're going to be depressed. Not every kid's the same and shouldn't be treated or shaped as such.