Depression

It is estimated that between one and two million children suffer from depression (University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, 1998 and National Alliance of the Mentally Ill (NAMI), 1999). According to the American Psychiatric Association, 10% of children ages six to twelve suffer from a depressive illness. Depressed kids are at an increased risk to run away from home, fail at school, abuse drugs and alcohol, and commit suicide. Clearly, childhood and teen depression is something we should take very seriously.

Studies have found that once an individual suffers from a bout of depression, they are more likely to experience another depressive episode. Depression in children and teens is usually triggered by some sort of loss, such as that of a parent (either through divorce or death) or other loved one including boyfriends, girl friends, or pets. Depressive episodes may also be brought on by other stresses, like severe family discord, problems at school, rejection, or having to move.

While middle school girls are often found to be rather moody, signs of depression include unusually long lasting sadness, often combined with eating or sleeping disturbances, increased aggression and fighting, withdrawal from friends and other pleasurable activities, boredom or fatigue, headaches, stomachaches and recurring thoughts of suicide. According to the Carnegie Council on Adolescent Development, Great Transitions: Preparing Adolescents for a New Century, by the age of fourteen to fifteen, girls are twice as likely as boys to suffer from depression.

The good news is, according to NAMI, more than 75% of depressives who seek and receive help recover. If there is a child or teen that you know who is displaying the types of behaviors mentioned above, please contact the childís parents, or other appropriate adult at once!

Beyond the Butterfly is co-produced by Wisconsin Public Television and NEWIST/CESA #7 (Northeastern Wisconsin In-School Telecommunications)