Youth in Trouble

Youth in America in the 21st Century face more obstacles on the road to adulthood than any previous generation.

Bullying, guns in school, physical abuse and sexual abuse in the home and from adults in positions of authority, drugs, online predators, sex and sexually transmitted diseases, depression, ADD, ADHD, OCD, alcohol and tobacco, cutting, and eating disorders are just a few of the very adult issues facing young people today.

Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for young people. At least 30,000 persons each year lose battles with depression and end up committing suicide. Even more attempt suicide.

However, 80% of those persons ask for help and knowing the signs saves people’s lives every day.

Some signs of teen depression include:

• Skipping school
• Difficulty talking about emotions, expressing themselves
• Physical illness – stomach ache, headache, nausea, menstrual problems
• Difficulty maintaining relationships, social isolation, not hanging out with friends
• Low self-esteem, guilt
• Irritability with family
• Extreme sensitivity to failure or rejection
• Lethargy – boredom
• Cutting, self-mutilation
• Changes in sleeping and eating habits
• Talk of suicide, running away, self-destructive behavior
• Alcohol and drug use, self-medication

Some or all of these occurrences indicate some level of depression and professional help should be sought.

 

 

Copyright © 2007