1 in 5 Teen suffer from depression. Depression in our youth is a national epidemic and we owe it to our young people to provide them with the education, tools and support to overcome the terrible feelings and results of depression. A special emphasis should be place on the most painful result of depression - suicide. Teen suicide prevention should be at heart of all depression education programs in our schools.
When teens and youth suffer from depression the actually want something bad to happen to them. The pain of living and dealing with their problems has become too much for them to bear and they would rather everything end than deal with their problems. They are not in a state of mind to deal rationally with their problems. Adults, administrators, teachers, youth leaders and anyone in involved with children should be constantly vigilant for the problems associated with severe depression.
Some pressures that youth face in the middle school years:
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Lack of popularity
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Bad grades
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Death of a loved one or someone close to them
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Questioning their sexuality
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Family issues such as divorse or domestic abuse
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Break-ups with girlfriends or boyfriends
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Having no friends, being a loner
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Feeling sad and hopeless
Clincal depression symptoms:
Sometimes severe depression and suicidal tendences can be hard to see. Young adults can mask their pain and then a suicide attempt can seem out of the blue. It's vitally important that services are provided in our schools and organizations to combat depression. Our youth need to know that they are not alone and that there is help available. Children who fit the high-risk groups should be monitored for signs of depression. It's up to all of us to combat this the terrible national epidemic of depression.
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