Report: More Than 2 Million Teens Depressed

America’s teenagers are in trouble. A recent federal government survey indicates that over 2 million American teens have suffered from at least one serious bout of depression sometime over the past year. These bouts are defined as any major depressive episode lasting two weeks or longer and involving a depressed mood, a loss of interest or pleasure, and at least four other symptoms such as problems with sleep, energy, concentration or self-image. The worst cases experienced an inability to carry out even normal day-to-day functions for an average of 58 days.

This survey, which was conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, polled 67,700 youths ages 12 to 17 and found that nearly 13 percent of teen girls and approximately 5 percent of teen boys had struggled with a major depressive episode in the previous year. The seriousness of this problem is revealed by the fact that approximately 12 youth suicides occur every day. Driven to despair and discouragement, youths no longer able to cope with their problems are opting to destroy themselves. It has been estimated that 200 youth suicide attempts are made for every successful suicide that is reported.

Depression is the leading cause of suicide, and in America suicide is the third-leading cause of death for those between the ages of 15 and 24.

So why are more and more teens giving way to the scourge of depression when they should be experiencing one of the most fun and enjoyable periods of their lives?

Despite attempts by scientists and psychologists to link depression with some form of communicable or inherited disease, the fact remains that depression is linked to a feeling of utter hopelessness. People, teens especially, are conquered by depression because they can find no real answers, no real hope in their lives. They feel abandoned and alone.

Both the number of couples living together and the out-of-wedlock birth rate are higher now than at any other point in American history. More and more youths are neglected by their parents and looking for answers. Without parental supervision or quality family time, too many youths are relying on drugs, sex, violence and materialism as a way to fill the void.

Yet these things are symptoms of, not cures to, the real problem. Actually, these “symptoms” are only making matters worse. A 2003 study published by USA Todayshowed that 25 percent of sexually active teenage girls admit to being depressed all, most, or a lot of the time while only 8 percent of their chaste counterparts feel the same way. The same trend can be observed concerning the links between depression and drugs, violent video games, etc.

The real solution to the current epidemic of teenage depression is not medication, as many suppose, but parental teaching and involvement. Parents need to set aside quality time with their teenagers and make it a priority to nurture, love, lead, teach and discipline their children—including teenagers. Depression is linked to hopelessness. Teenage depression can be seriously curbed or even eliminated by filling teens’ lives with the hope that comes from family involvement and God’s way of living.

For more information on conquering depression through living God’s way of life, read “Taking Time to Save Our Teens” by Dennis Leap.