IS YOUR TEEN DEPRESSED?

Jena was 14 years old. Her mother will never understand what happened on her daughter's life, something so terrible, that pushed her to finish her own life. Two days ago, she was going to go to the mall with her friends one afternoon. She seemed very excited about it.

Her mother was happy too, Jena had been kind of quiet and sad lately, and she had occasionally complained about her appearance, nothing strange in a teenage girl. Who didn't feel unhappy sometimes with her body while going thought adolescence? However, Jena wasn't only experimenting those "natural" changes on her young life, she was also going through a hard time, being bullied by other kids at school, and constantly critized by one of her teachers. She had become the target of prank calls, and despite of this stress, Jena never told anyone about it, because she felt that no one really cared about her feelings. Jena was suffering of deep depression, the quiet killer condition of hundreds of teens today in our society.

What you need to know:

Teenage depression might seem sometimes like the typical mood swings and isolation of this life stage. However, if not detected on time, teenage depression might lead to a tragedy. "Depression is a serious problem that impacts every aspect of a teen’s life. Left untreated, teen depression can lead to problems at home and school, drug abuse, self-loathing—even irreversible tragedy such as homicidal violence or suicide". http://www.helpguide.org/mental/depression_teen.htm

Fortunately, teenage depression can be treated, and I am not talking about medications and medical treatment only, but also about effective action you can take, as a concerned parent, teacher, or friend, to help.

The first step is not to overlook depression and nevertheless, ignore it. For some parents denial is a big mistake. The daily worries at work, the economical crisis we are going through. and other family problems, tend to place depression signs of our kids in the "background" of our lives. Do not underestimate the stress teens go through on these days. They have it tough too! And although it is perfectly normal to feel sad or irritable every now and then, you need to recognize the red alerts when these feelings don’t go away or when they become more intense and unbearable for your teen. The facts that they do not communicate with other people or that they are afraid to tell the parents, turn these feeling into a "one way road", with nowhere to go and nothing to do resolve these issues.

The facts:

"On September 6, 2007, the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions, reported that suicide rate in adolescents in America (especially in girls, 10 to 24 years old) increased 8% in the last 15 years.

The findings also reported that antidepressant drugs reduced suicide risk instead of increasing it.

In a December 2006 study, The American Jounal of Psychiatry said that a decrease in antidepressant prescriptions to minors of just a few percentage points coincided with a 14 percent increase in suicides in the United States." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teenage_suicide).

Learn how to recognize the signs:

-They start giving aways possessions and talking about final happines.

What you can do:

-Please seek for professional help! If the depression is already present, do not delay to start treating it! And if there is no way to talk to your teen, then encourage him or her to talk to someone else: a teacher, or counselor, another family member or even a friend. Another way to help them talk is giving them this number 1-800-273-TALK. Someone in the other line is always listening and that's what they are looking for.

-Whenever he starts going to sessions do not interfere or insist on being present. There might be things he (she) don't want you to know. Give them space, but make sure to tell them that you will be waiting for them outside. This will reassure them that you care.

-Remember that being depressed sometimes triggers to say things that are hurtful or strange. Do not take it personally! Your kid will get back to nomal after the depression is gone. Be patient and understanding. Make sure that you take care of yourself as well. Dealing with someone that is suffering of depression can be emotionaly and phisically "draining" and you are going to need all your energy to deal with this problem and with you own feelings too. Call the Nineline’s 24-hour hotline for children and teens at 1-800-999-9999. It’s free, confidential, and always available, so call if you need to talk to somebody or want information on where to get help in your area.

-If your teen is in the suicidal stage joking and talking about it all the time or if he is giving possessions away, or saying goodbye, DO NOT ignore these signs. Seek help IMMEDIATELY!

-And finnally, if your teen is already threatening to kill himself or herself, DO NOT underestimate him (her) call 911! While help is on the way, DO NOT confront him (her) with guilt statments like : "We love you why do you want ot hurt us doing this?" or "I cannot believe your trying to do something like this" This will only rush them to their decision.

Who are at a greater risk? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teenage_suicide)

Adolescents who are or have been in Youth Detention Centers or Boot Camps.

What to do to help prevent teen depression:

Although it is not certain what causes depression in teens, one thing is for sure, keeping them busy is the best way to keep them out of trouble:

- Get them involved in activities that will allow them to use all that energy and that will improve their selfesteem. Encourage them to find a sport or any other activity where, besides enjoying what they do, they will develope selfconfidence too.

- Listen to them, even if you are tired after work and the only thing you want to do is to watch T.V. Remember they have been waiting all day for someone to listen to them too. Maybe they had a problem in school, or they are having a question they don't dare to ask. Or simply they missed you and they want to reassure that someone cares about them.

- Plan activities together, maybe sharing an interest in a sport or taking a long walk at the beach. Talk to them but specially listen to them. Do not take your relationship parent-teen for granted, nothing is guaranteed in this life. Enjoying each other's company is the best tool to build a good communication channel between both parties.

- Encourage them to ask and make them aware that they can talk to you about everything! Good or Bad. Sometimes preaching to them all the time or giving them the the guilty trip will only push them away from you.

- Always be honest with them, lies only lead to more lies, and soon or later, they won't trust you anymore.

- Isolation, lack of communication, issues not resolved and insecurity are excelent grounds for depression. Having your teens staying home all day playing video games all day long while you work, it is not a very good idea. We have enough violence and depression in this world as it is right now. Give your kids a clear and positive way of life.

- If there is a history of depression in your family, be aware of the early signs and make sure you are prepared to face it. Early couseling helps, and it is a team work that involves every single important figure in your teen's life. Start today, each day counts when it is about your kid's happiness and well being.