Most recently, I have been asked to write more about depression, and adolescent depression tops the list.
Why? Maybe because our teens are now in their last quarter of school, and this is a big adjustment for them.
After school is over, other pressures take over in other ways. Responsibility changes with the care of other siblings, first-time jobs or other parent honey-dos. Our teens are feeling pressure, and parents are feeling worried for them.
Will we ever forget The Columbine High School Massacre that occurred on Tuesday, April 20, 1999, in Jefferson County near Littleton? Most of us can remember where we were. I was in Texas, and when I heard it on TV, I immediately called my brother who lives in Littleton, because I was concerned regarding his daughter, my niece.
I couldn’t get through because the telephone lines were jammed just like in any other national emergency. This wasn’t Washington or New York; this was Colorado.
We still hear of similar incidents involving teen shootings at schools despite new anti-bully policies and “zero tolerance” approaches to weapons and threatening behavior by students towards others.
What is happening to our teens? Are we winning the war on teen violence and depression? I think that depends on who you ask. The U.S. Secret Service in its study of all U.S. school shootings found that schools were paying more attention to physical security instead of the pre-attack behavior of students.
We know that depression is a precursor to suicide. Adolescent depression is increasing. One in five teens suffers from clinical depression. According to the Surgeon General, a suicide occurs every two hours in our country.
It is not unusual for young people to feel “down in the dumps” or feel sad. We as parents have all seen it. When things go wrong at home or school, teens often overreact and feel stressed out and confused. Despite good parenting, youth ministers and guidance counselors, our teens often become depressed.
Today, our teens are inundated and exposed to things that baby boomers never were. These things are good and bad: the internet, television, the threat of HIV/AIDS, conflicting messages from people they trust.
Unrealistic expectations can create a strong sense of rejection that leads to disappointment and anger. Feelings of anger and resentment combined with exaggerated guilt can lead to impulsive and self-destructive acts. Our teens are losing their sense of identity, their core values, their sense of acceptance and belonging. They are falling into the black hole of depression where sometimes there is no apparent way out, no anchor or lifeline.
What can we do? How can we help? Be involved with your teen; they need more adult guidance now than ever before.
Know the signs of teen depression and the factors that can contribute. Has anyone in your family ever suffered from depression? If you have a family history for depression, this may increase the risk of someone in your immediate family developing depression.
Know what is going on with your teen and how they are affected. A fight with a girlfriend or boyfriend affects every teen differently. When I was a trauma emergency room psychiatric social worker, our teen attempts of suicide were often the result of a teen breakup.
Other life events such as death or divorce can have disastrous effects on your teen and cause negative thinking and negative thought patterns that may lead to depression. Be cautious of broken school relationships or bullying. Stressful life events often precede suicide. The behavior of depressed teenagers may differ from depressed adults, and early diagnosis and treatment are essential.
Know and recognize the warning signs of teen depression and teen suicide, and take them seriously.
Sandi Y. Squicquero M.Ed, LPC, is a licensed professional counselor who works out of the Medical Hypnosis and Counseling Center at 1180 Main St., Suite 5B, in Windsor. She has more than 30 years experience as a counselor and is board-certified in medical hypnosis.
