Researchers from SAMHSA and RTI International discovered that an alarming number of teenagers experience major depression. In fact, 1 in every 12 teenagers (8.5%) aged 12 to 17 experienced a major depressive episode (MDE) within a one year period.
- 1 in 8 teen girls (12.7%) experienced a major depressive episode
- 1 in 21 teen boys (4.6%) experienced a major depressive episode
The likelihood of a teenager experiencing a MDE increases with age.
Among teens with a past year MDE, how many are impaired by the MDE in at least one of four role domains (i.e., home, school/work, family relationships, or social life)?
- 1 in 5 (21.0%) reported very severe impairment lasting an average 58.4 days
- 1 in 2 (48.3%) reported severe impairment lasting an average 25.8 days
- 1 in 4 (25.0%) reported moderate impairment lasting an average 14.1 days
- 1 in 19 (5.3%) reported mild impairment lasting an average 11.7 days
- 1 in 250 (0.4%) reported no impairment
For more details, read the full report. It is saddening to see so many teenagers being crippled by depression. Based on these statistics, there is a good chance someone in your youth group is experiencing a major depressive episode.
For Discussion:
- Aside from prayer, what are some effective ways to help teens prevent or cope with depression?
[via MSNBC]
Talk. Real simple. I work with the Youth at our church. It’s a strange phenomenon, but in our ever more connected world, I believe teens feel less connected. Although our Youth IM, SMS, blog, vlog, myspace, twitter, etc., I believe they’re missing out on true interaction.
Studies have shown that babies in NICU respond amazingly when there is human touch involved. Their vitals improve and they are less restless. Although I have NO studies to back it up other than personal observation, I believe the personal nature of talking with teens is just as important. All of the communication methods listed above, while open (sometimes WAY too open), are still impersonal. Talking with someone involves emotion, tone of voice, body language, facial expression and the most important element…active listening.
Going back to my list of communication methods, teens may use all of these. Yes they are interactive to a point, but it’s still not “active” listening. Active listening is undivided attention with real eye contact.
That is exactly what teens are yearning for. If they didn’t want to be heard they wouldn’t have a MySpace page or blog or twitter etc. But I think too, they not only want to be heard, but they want someone to listen to them and provide appropriate feedback.
As my wife has told me plenty of times when she’s frustrated by something, “I just want you to listen. Don’t try to fix it, just listen.” That may be the best medicine of all.
Great input, Greg!
[...] Depression Statistics Reveal High Numbers of Crippled Teens”, as came out today on ChurchRelevance.com. I’ve provided the text of that report [...]
Thank you for sharing these sad statistics. Unfortunately they are likely to keep rising at an alarming rate, especially among our young people, which makes it all the more important for us to know how to minister to those suffering from depression. I blogged about this topic using your analysis! Thanks again and God’s blessings!
Believe it or not, diet. A diet high in sugar has been directly related to depression in youth. A balanced diet starting at a young age will help curb depression.
Exchange high sugar cereals with a low or no sugar replacement. It may be harder to do, but if it needs to be done then it needs to be done. Of course, the younger they are the easier it is to introduce these things into the diet.
A media fast. We do a three-week media fast with the students in our youth ministry every year. No TV, no internet (best to do it in the summer so they don’t make excuses about homework), no radio, no iPod, no video games, no books other than the Bible, no movies, no magazines.
Teenagers in our society are bombarded with messages and images - thousands every day - telling them how they should act, look, talk, dress, etc. As we all know, these images and ideas are completely distorted and impossible to obtain. The students know that too, but it still influences them.
It’s remarkable to see the change in teenagers after even one week without an iPod. They’re lighter, happier, more active, more social … Most of them go back to gorging on media when it’s over but a few usually get it and make serious cut-backs.
I think teens need a greater understanding of the sovereignty of God. Why does God allow pain into my life? Why does He allow my parents to divorce? Why do my classes overwhelm me? Why….why….why?
A good understanding of Romans 8 would go far in helping teens get a greater grasp of the larger picture. Difficulties, trials, troubles, joys, good times… all things are placed in their lives for a reason. That reason? So that they become conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.
And that is the goal over all isn’t it?
I was diagnosed with depression and now with bipolar. i really don’t want to see people suffer as i have and worse, and I believe that the only way that these numbers can be brought down is through educating the older generation that interacts with them, and all of them too, I have lost 3 people to suicide 2 of then were teens and one was a middle school P.E. teacher. If people had known what the signs adn warnings were, and took them seiously, a lot more lives woulf be saved. I believe the more educated people get, the more that that things will slowly get better.
Being a teen myself, I think what teens need is greater responsibility. There is virtually nothing expected of us, despite the fact that many teens are physically and mentally capable of handling adult responsibilities. Teens are continually infantilized, though they yearn for adult recognition, respect, and interaction. Ironically in America, adulthood is culturally gauged through ability to participate in destructive behaviors (ie. gamble, drink, smoke, or consent to sex). Teens are bombarded through mass media that adult life is reflected in repercussion-less sex and substance abuse. Teens are constantly sent mixed messages and then adults are dumbfounded by the substance abuse and depression rates. I think it is extremely important to realize that no one needs to “save” the teenagers. The fact that we are treated as a separate species of people is the problem. Historically, there were two phases in the family unit: child and adult - those who could work and those who were too young to work. Teenagers were contributing members to the family, valued and trusted. America created a teen culture and is suffering the consequences. When a country takes a capable sector of contributing members and neglects them, forces them into a chasm to “mature” and “find themselves” without giving them the tools or motivation to do so, they can hardly be expected to make constructive decisions.
this subject is one that has intrigued me for many years..I am only 21 but if it wasn’t for the mercy of God I would not be here today…literally if he hadn’t stopped me that one night it mattered….my family would be one member short..I was reading some of the imputs you guys wrote and trust me we young adults NEED to just be heard at times not because we think our opinion is more important that your but because we NEED to get everything out at times..especially the ones who like myself have dificulty trusting in people and find it so dificult to even talk about things that matter like our fears, hopes, ambitions and everything in between…..and pages with imformation such as these make it less stressfull and enlightening…i don’t know exactly how much I have learned about myself and it feels good I agree 100% with Mr. Mark K.God lets these things happen so he can comfort us and show us that even if we can’t trust man He is always there.