Page 108 - 112-2小論文

From Pressure to Progress- Assessing the Impact of Taiwan's 108 Curriculum on Teen Mental Health
I. Introduction

(I) Background to the Issue

According to the World Health Organization, depression occurs when one has a depressed
mood or loss of pleasure or interest in activities for long periods of time (W.H.O., 2023). Teenage
depression has been a widespread issue worldwide with an estimated 6.2% of adolescents across the
globe having depression (Zhou et.al, 2023). According to a survey in 2023, mental health for 17%
of Taiwanese youth has been getting worse and ultimately risks potential depression (Chen, 2023).
In fact, this trend is rapidly increasing and even more severe on students, with a survey by the
National Taipei University of Education's Department of Psychology and Counseling showing over
25% of students surveyed showing arduous depressive tendencies, which stands for almost 10
points higher than previous years (Focus Taiwan, 2023). Undoubtedly, teenage depression has been
a rising trend in the world, especially in Asian countries like Taiwan. Thus, the team aims to
evaluate the effectiveness of the 108 program in reducing students’ academic stress and depression
rate as well as comparing the numerous aspects of the system with that of other countries in the
hope of better mitigations to the issue of academic depression. As a solution to the issue, the
country has been actively engaged in developing youth health support programs and helplines, as
well as educating adolescents and parents. Furthermore, the national government has done a major
shift of high school students' curriculum as an attempt to address the rising trend of teenage and
student depression.

II. Literature Review

(I) Background on Issue in a Worldwide Scale and the Taiwanese Government’s Action

The global increase in depression rates, particularly among teenagers, is a deeply concerning
issue, where according to WHO, it is estimated that on a global scale, 1 in 7 teenagers experience
mental health illnesses, yet the issue still remains unresolved (WHO, 2021). Data from various
countries reveals a distressing trend. In developed nations such as the United Kingdom, the
National Health Service found that one in eight children and young people between the ages of five
and 19 had a diagnosable mental health disorder in 2017 (NHS, 2017). Similarly, in developing
nations, the impact of depression on teenagers is also on the rise. In Palestine, the teenage
depression rate has increased from 6.2% in 1994 to 7.0% in 2010 (Out World in Data, 2019). These
examples, along with the available data, highlight that depression among teenagers is a global
concern, affecting both developed and developing nations. Both of them show a trend that is
increasing for depression. Data shows an upward trend for both groups in reported cases of
depression (IHME, 2019). This rising trend suggests the potential need for more resources
dedicated to mental health support services. It is crucial for governments, healthcare systems, and
communities worldwide to prioritize mental health and invest in comprehensive strategies that
include prevention, early intervention, and accessible support systems. By addressing the
underlying academic factors contributing to depression, we can work towards creating a world
where the mental well-being of all individuals, especially teenagers, is safeguarded.

As a response to the increase of depression globally, the Taiwanese government changed the
educational system in order to inspire and advocate for youngsters to not only incorporate abstract
learning in the classroom but also participate in extracurricular activities outside of school (Pan et
al., 2022). Since September 2021, the Taiwanese Ministry of Education (MOE) has established the
108 Curriculum, a 12-year comprehensive educational system designed to better prepare for future
careers and provide students with better problem solving skills, practical experiences, and diverse
courses (K-12 Education Administration, MOE, n.d). This represents a shift away from Taiwanese

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