Loreali Forbes
Forbes 1
Review Writing Quill and Scroll
Columbine by Dave Cullen In over 70% of school shootings, the attackers showed clear signs of mental health struggles- but no one intervened until it was too late (Chatterjee, 2022). Teen depression played a critical role in the Columbine shooting, particularly in the case of Dylan Klebold. Dylan’s journals often revealed him struggling with extreme depression and suicidal thoughts. Despite these very clear warning signs, he and others like him, often go unnoticed when it comes to mental illness. Dave Cullen, the author of Columbine, calls teen depression “the greatest unlearned lesson” of Columbine- a warning we have still failed to fully understand. Schools, parents, and communities must prioritize early mental health screening, reduce stigma around seeking help, and create safe outlets for students to prevent future tragedies. Dylan Klebold’s internal struggles were very profound, yet largely invisible to those around him. This can be seen in a TedTalk Sue Klebold spoke at, addressing the challenges she faced related to her son's actions. She claims she never knew how much he was struggling and how much pain he was in (2017). This is shocking because in the book, Cullen reveals that Dylan’s personal journals were filled with despair, hopelessness, and suicidal thoughts. One haunting entry reads, “Me is a god, a god of sadness,” showing Dylan’s deep emotional struggles and distorted self-image (Cullen, 2024). This is what makes Dylan’s case so alarming- he wasn’t alone. Teen depression is far more common than many adults realize, and it often goes undetected. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about one in six teenages in the U.S. experience a major depressive episode each year. Yet studies show that more than 60% of them do not receive any treatment (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration