Today's teens are faced with great pressures in their home, academic, and social lives. These pressures can often times become overwhelming, and teens may try to cope through self-defeating behaviors. They are faced with many negative influences such as drugs and alcohol, posing an "easy way out." Many times as a result, depression will set in, taking many different forms such as anger and violence or despair and withdrawal. Even though these teens are loved and appreciated at home and by their peers, their judgment becomes clouded. It becomes hard for a person suffering from depression to make rational decisions regarding their future. 1

Youth suicide rates have tripled since 1970 and is the third leading cause of death among teenagers in the United States. 2 In one recent survey of high school students, 60 percent said they had thought about killing themselves. About 9 percent said they had tried at least once. ³ Suicide is preventable. Know the signs, and if you suspect your teenager may be depressed or feeling suicidal, get help right away!

Signs of depression include: Sadness, anxiety and hopelessness Dramatic personality changes Sudden weight gain due to compulsive overeating Loss of weight due to lack of interest in food Boredom, trouble concentrating Insomnia or daytime sleeping Social isolation Sudden change in friends Sudden drop in grades, truancy Rebellion Complaints of headaches, stomachaches, low back pain and fatigue Alcohol, drug use or sexual activity Suicidal feeling and behavior

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