Clinical Depression, Clinical Oppression

After the talk at the clinic in Barta'a, we went to the local high school with the group of Rabbis. The buildings and surroundings were run down, dirty and the lack of facilities and resources evident. The Head Teacher spoke of chronic underfunding from the Palestinian ministry of education and the possible need for external funds. The group's Israeli guide, Ya'akov, came up to me and very passionately insisted that the local teachers and students could and should keep the place clean and maintained. He argued that the kids could paint the walls and have a cleaning rota ('it wouldn't cost much'). He couldn't understand why they don't take action to improve their lives and why they are so dependent on external sources and resources. I was taken aback by his argument and the way he delivered it. I told him that he has a point but I don't have an answer.
After thinking about it for a while I saw a parallel between clinical depression and clinical oppression. Someone who is chronically depressed cannot summon up the energy for basic daily activities such as keeping themselves and their environment clean and tidy. Maybe the impact of prolonged oppression has similar consequences? I am aware that this is just one way of looking into a complex issue and that there are cultural and other factors but I believe this is a central and dominant aspect.