text: Another reason for enforcing mandatory participation for extracurricular activities is that they can help students cope with depression. Everybody has something they like to do, and there is almost always other people who enjoy the same thing. According to a study performed by Stanford University students in 2018, 93% of students who had been diagnosed with depression reported feeling "happier and more energetic" after spending time with people who had similar interests as them. This means that spending time with like-minded people can help students combat depression.