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Depression and its impact on adolescents
Depression as problem in teenagers and solutions pdf
Depression and its impact on adolescents
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Prevention of Early Adolescent Depression Depression is a not only a mental health concern facing our youth, but is also intertwined with public health and our society as a whole. According to Woods and Pooley (2015), depression ranks “fourth on the list of disease burden,” and by estimates, depression would be the second leading cause of disability in 2020 (p. 98). The National Security Council outlined in their National Prevention Strategy (2011) that depression is a leading factor for suicide, substance abuse, and family violence, as well as increased chances of behavior troubles and future involvement with the criminal justice system. With the documented negative effects of unchecked and unattended depression in youth, a strategy for the prevention of clinical depression should be a goal for counselors and communities. In this paper, I will outline the Penn Resiliency Program, which is a depression (and anxiety) prevention program aimed at early adolescents. I will also address the application …show more content…
In my opinion, with the genetic link, as well as environment link, to the onset of many mental health disorders including depression, it would be important to not only address the individual adolescent, but also the family unit. Gladding and Newsome (2007) also place a high importance for prevention programs to address alleviating pressures from one’s environment, which can often be the household. Inclusion of families in this program can not only provide access to learning materials and strategies that are proving beneficial for their children, but also link them with community resources and agencies that can have an impact on bettering potentially negative situations at home, i.e. poverty, lack of adequate childcare, and transportation and treatment accessibility
The concept of a happy childhood being a carefree, never-ending recess before the responsibilities of adulthood set in is just as realistic as the cartoons children watch on television. To the contrary, adolescents today feel less safe, less inspired and less hopeful than ever before. It is not surprising then that depression is a common concomitant to adolescent development (Tharper, Collishaw, & Pine, 2012). According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately one in five adolescents between the ages of nine and twenty four is clinically depressed and more than twenty percent of adolescents will have experienced a major depressive episode before reaching adulthood (“Suicide in the U.S.: Statistics and Prevention”, n.d.). Such episodes can affect developmental growth, interfere with educational achievement, and increase the risk of attempted and completed suicide as well as major depressive disorder prior to adulthood. Depression in adolescents has become an increasingly important mental epidemic and is thus a major risk factor for suicide, the third leading cause of death among this age group (Tharper et al., 2012). One hundred percent of those teens who suffer from depression can get help but less than thirty three percent of teens with depression are properly diagnosed and actually seek treatment (“Suicide in the U.S.: Statistics and Prevention”, n.d.). Therefore, the early recognition of and the development of effective treatments for adolescent depression clearly should be a high public health priority.
As reported by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), depression occurs in over 26% of adolescents and can lead to morbidity, mortality, and social problems that can last into adulthood (SCREENING FOR DEPRESSION IN ADOLESCENTS -- RISKS AND BENEFITS, 2015). Signs of adolescent depression can sometimes be different than adults, and possibly harder to identify. It is most often identified as an increase in negative behaviors or somatic complaints such as an upset stomach (SCREENING FOR DEPRESSION IN ADOLESCENTS -- RISKS AND BENEFITS, 2015). Behavioral changes that are associated with adolescent depression include an increase in irritability, tantrums, anger outbursts, decrease in school performance, and social isolation (SCREENING
Limitations include concern of the trial being university-based and lack of generalizability to the “real world”. Also, participants tend to be homogeneous and less complex than patients seen in clinical practice (p. 913). Nonetheless, these findings have implications for further research for entry criteria, stratification of subjects, and treatment modification. “Improvement in the outcome of adolescent depression may be achieved by more aggressively targeting comorbid anxiety disorder, hopelessness and other cognitive distortions, and parental psychopathology” (p.
The Bever family didn’t socialize very much. “By many neighbors’ accounts, the Bevers kept out of sight and to themselves — the kids played alone in the backyard, walked down neighborhood streets bunched together and their parents didn’t socialize much.” (Schallhorn). Communication, the skill that all children and children need to master. Not socializing with other kids at a young age is substandard because children need this when they are younger. “As many as 1 in every 33 children may have depression; in teens, that number may be as high as 1 in 8.” (Understanding Depression). The teens in youth today are being effected by depression. As you can see, depression is very common among teens around 12-18 years old. Depression can persuade people to make different choices than they normally would. Being effected this young could have long term effects in the long run. When people commit crimes it is either because they aren’t being helped and no one will listen to them, or they just don’t care. Your mental health starts from the day you are born. You constantly learn about your surroundings, so it can be a benefit to have social interaction from an early
People constantly overlook the severity of depression, more importantly, major teen depression, which presents a legitimate obstacle in society. The intensity of teen depression results from society’s general lack of acknowledgement of the rising affair. In 2012, “28.5% of teens were depressed” and 15.8% of teens contemplated the option of suicide (Vidourek 1 par. 1), due to their major depression going unnoticed or untreated for. Even teenagers themselves often ignore their depression or remain in denial because neither them nor anyone else recognizes the signs. “A sudden change in behavior is a main sign of someone being depressed, which could lead to having suicidal thoughts,” stated Pam Farkas, a clinical social worker in California (Aguilar 1 par. 8). The warning signs and risk factors of teen depression include behavioral issues, social withdrawal, and inadequate interest in activities (Adolescents and Clinical Depression 2 par. 3), yet the unawareness of these signs does not allow professional medical attention to intercede. Deaths, illnesses, rejection, relationship issues, and disappointment present passages down the negative path of teen depression, but treatments, such as psychotherapy, intervention programs, and antidepressants express ways to subdue this major problem. Knowledge of the increasing dilemma needs to circulate, in order to promote stable teen lives in the present and future world. Understanding major teen depression, the events and incidents that lead to depression, and how to overcome the problem will lead to a decrease in major teen depression and its growing issue in society.
According to National Alliance on Mental Illness, 13% of children aged 8 to 15 experience a severe mental disorder at some point during their life. 70% of youth in the juvenile justice system have at least one mental health condition and at least 20% live with a serious mental illness (“Mental Health”). Dr.Jack Westman, a professor emeritus of psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin who has been serving more than 50 years to the psychiatric developmental needs of children emphasizes the importance of children’s mental health. Mental health problems among youth are critical because if not treated properly, the problems would exacerbate and cost more to the society. The population of children is decreasing and future society will “not be able to function” if a significant portion of children’s mental health is in danger. In addition, each child with a severe mental health problem cost society $2 million if they become adults without receiving any appropriate mental health problem treatment (Westman). In addition, treating mental illness during the young age before it is exacerbated will be easier and cost-effective
Teenage Depression. Everywhere you look these two words appear together as one, in newspapers and magazines, as well as in scholarly reports. Teenage depression is one of today's "hot topics" this among other teenage mental health problems, has been brought to the forefront of public consciousness in recent years after several incidents involving school shootings (CQ 595). The environment that teens grow up in today is less supportive and more demanding than it was twenty years ago. Not only are the numbers of depressed teens rising, but children are also being diagnosed at younger and younger ages. Studies have found that, "There is an estimated 1.5-3 million American children and adolescents who suffer from depression, a condition unrecognized in children until about 20 years ago" (CQR 595). This increase in depression is due to social factors that teenagers have to deal with everyday. A recent study found that, "About five percent of teenagers have major depression at any one time. Depression can be very impairing, not only for the affected teen, but also for his or her family-and too often, if not addressed, depression can lead to substance abuse or more tragic events" (NAMI.org). Gender roles and other societal factors including the pressures on girls to look and act a certain way, the pressures on boys to suppress their emotions and put on a tough front and the pressures on both sexes to do well in school and succeed, all contribute to depression in teens today. Depression is a growing problem which crosses gender lines and one that needs to be dealt with with more than just medication.
Depression is the most common mental health problem in the United States. It affects people of all ages, races and economic backgrounds. In adolescents, as many as one in eight teens suffers with this condition. It can interfere with day-to-day functioning. Many times adolescents feel lost or hopeless and may not know who to turn to for help. This therapeutic environment uses specific objectives and goals to give adolescents the tools and skills they need to cope and function more successfully. This is a positive, caring environment so that each member will feel ready to share and cope with their problems. Currently, there is a lack of support and resources for adolescents with this mental illness and this group fulfills that need. This group is different from other groups of this nature, as members are carefully screened to make sure only those who can truly benefit from it are included.
The emotional health and wellbeing for our children should be the greatest importance to a parent. Four million children and adolescents in the United States live with serious mental disorders (Hamburg, 2006). Some conditions include depression, anxiety disorders, which are the most frequent that may later on lead to drug abuse. Some develop eating disorders that include bulimia and anorexia, others develop attention deficits, become hyperactive or antisocial behavioral responses that may limit the ability to think and learn and form social attachments or communicate with others. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mental health disorders are one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. Three of the ten leading causes of disability in people between the ages of 15 and 44 are mental disorders and the other cases are often associated with mental disorders and research has shown that most mental disorders begin in childhood and in adolescence (2009). Poor mental health can have an effect on wider health and development of adolescents in associations with social outcomes such as higher alcohol, tobacco and illicit substances, pregnancy, school dropout and even the act of wrong behaviors of a child.
twenty-four, experience a serious level of depression. Women are generally the most commonly affected among young people. A depressed teen is more likely to get into various forms of trouble such as rebellion, truancy...
In the past 35 years the suicide rate for college campuses has tripled (Oswalt 1995). This shows that there is a clear need for something to be addressed within the college community. The recent surveys show that about 10-15% of college students are depressed (Lindsey 2009). Depression can be a debilitating illness especially when many students attend college away from their close friends and family. This could result in students with more suicidal thoughts and attempts at suicide. In fact, the number of students with suicidal thoughts has tripled over the past 13 years as the number of students seeking help for depression doubled in the same span (Lindsey 2009). Depression can effect these teens in other areas of their life as well. The students who reported that they were depressed also reported that they considered their health fair or poor (Lindsey 2009). In their cases, depression not only effects them psychologically but also physically. Depression is also known to impair psychosocial development and academic success (Lindsey 2009). With all of these factors put togethe...
Teenage depression is a growing problem in today's society and is often a major contributing factor for a multitude of adolescent problems. The statistics about teenage runaways, alcoholism, drug problems, pregnancy, eating disorders, and suicide are alarming. Even more startling are the individual stories behind these statistics because the young people involved come from all communities, all economic levels, and all home situations-anyone's family. The common link is often depression. For the individuals experiencing this crisis, the statistics become relatively meaningless. The difficult passage into adolescence and early adulthood can leave lasting scars on the lives and psyches of an entire generation of young men and women. There is growing realization that teenage depression can be life- changing, even life threatening.
Depression is the most widespread mental illness in today’s society. Studies have found that, 1 out of 8 teens are affected with this disease. It also predominantly affects young ladies than it does males. (www.kidshealth.org). Teens are at a position in their lives when they must face significant transition and peer pressures. They are trying to identify with themselves and trying to figure out where there puzzle piece fits in society, all of which can show the way to behavioral and emotional changes. This is also a stage when families suffer from poor communication: teenagers often tend to keep their feelings and concerns to themselves away from their parents and other authority figures. Therefore, identifying depression in teenagers can be difficult for adults to notice. However, it is very essential that adolescents with depression get assistance on handling their problems. For this reason, the focus of this paper will be about how parents can identify if their child are depressed. If adults are able to identify and have an understanding about depression so many lives could be saved.
Keith A. King, and Rebecca A. Vidourek. "Teen Depression and Suicide: Effective Prevention and Intervention Strategies." The Prevention Researcher (2012): 15. Web.
Today, the numbers of people with mental health issues are considerably high. The problem increases the national and global social and economic burdens as governments try to find means of empowering the people with the issue and solve the problem. Today, one in five adults in the United States has a mental health problem (“Mental Health Facts,” 2016). “Mental Health Facts” (2016) also states that the adults that received mental health services are about 60%. Only 50% of the youth with mental health issues received mental health services in the previous year. Further, mental health issues are also related to drug use and addiction. Of all the mental illnesses and disorders, depression affects the most people and has the biggest burden globally. Due to the increasing burden and the gap in service utilization, the mental health policy seeks to address several factors. Some of the key issues to address include early diagnosis of mental disorders, provision of appropriate and adequate intervention a particular problem, education and counseling for the family members, and research to help reduce the numbers and reverse the trend. Another key area of focus is the use of mass media to create awareness about mental health issues and help clear the