What should I do if going to school with depression is extremely painful?
It is common for students with depression to experience distress when attending school. This can generally be alleviated through measures such as communicating with the school to adjust academic demands, seeking peer support, breaking down study tasks, scheduling rest periods, and maintaining professional treatment. Specific strategies are outlined below:

1. Communicate with the school to adjust academic workload: Family members can help contact teachers or school counselors, explain the student’s condition, and request accommodations such as reduced homework load or postponed exam dates, to prevent excessive academic pressure from worsening emotional distress.
2. Seek peer support: Confide in trusted classmates about one's situation to gain understanding and companionship—such as walking to school together or having brief conversations during breaks—reducing feelings of isolation on campus and providing emotional support throughout the school day.
3. Break down study tasks: Divide daily learning goals into smaller, manageable tasks—for example, "complete notes for one class in the morning" or "memorize 10 words in the afternoon." Achieving these small goals can build a sense of accomplishment and reduce anxiety or dread related to attending school.
4. Schedule regular rest periods: Set aside dedicated rest times during school days, such as closing your eyes to relax during lunch break or unwinding briefly after school. This helps prevent mental and physical exhaustion from continuous studying and preserves energy for returning to school the next day.
5. Maintain professional treatment: Continue psychological counseling or medication treatment without interruption during the school term. Regularly discuss school-related feelings with a mental health provider and adjust the treatment plan as needed, using professional support to strengthen coping abilities.
If the distress associated with attending school continues to worsen, especially if thoughts of self-harm emerge, it is essential to temporarily pause school attendance and focus on treatment. Gradual reintegration into school should occur only after the individual’s condition has stabilized. Throughout this process, family members should closely monitor the patient’s emotional state, offering patience and support, and avoid forcing the individual to continue attending school.