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Survey: Poor LA Students Scared, Depressed

Youths shows symptoms of clinical depression

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 26, 2008 10:22 AM CDT
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(Newser) – High-school students in poor LA neighborhoods fear for their safety, show signs of clinical depression, and say the district does a laughable job preparing them for college, the Los Angeles Times reports. A survey of thousands of students from south LA showed more than half felt hopeless and helpless. "They give us the short end of the stick," said one. "They expect us not to amount to anything."

It's no surprise such feelings are widespread, said one clinical pyschologist, given the lack of choices in the students' lives. "They see that their school is failing them, their teachers are failing them," added an organizer of the survey. "There's racial tension and gang violence, and also many feel that their schools are not schools—their schools look more like prisons."

Pastor Mike Cummings, left, a former gang member turned community activist, keeps in touch with other Safe Passage monitors as students leave David Starr Jordan High School in Watts, Los Angeles.
Pastor Mike Cummings, left, a former gang member turned community activist, keeps in touch with other Safe Passage monitors as students leave David Starr Jordan High School in Watts, Los Angeles.   (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
Los Angeles students attend a vigil for a murdered classmate.
Los Angeles students attend a vigil for a murdered classmate.   (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Gang graffiti is painted on the sidewalk on 103rd Street in front of David Starr Jordan High School in the Watts district of Los Angeles April 25, 2007.
Gang graffiti is painted on the sidewalk on 103rd Street in front of David Starr Jordan High School in the Watts district of Los Angeles April 25, 2007.   (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
Students stream across 103rd Street after classes are dismissed from David Starr Jordan High School in the Watts district of Los Angeles, April 25,2007.
Students stream across 103rd Street after classes are dismissed from David Starr Jordan High School in the Watts district of Los Angeles, April 25,2007.   (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
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high school • depression • Los Angeles • South Central LA • high school students

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