Sunday, October 3, 2010

Article Three Notes- "Youth Depression"

Article Citation:


"Youth Depression" Issues & Controversies On File: n. pag. Issues & Controversies. Facts On File News Services, 28 Apr. 2000 Web. 27 Sept 1010 <http://wwww.2facts.com/article/i0500920>.





  • Since the 1960's, the adolescent suicide rate in the US has nearly tripled. (1)
  • "...the psychiatric community did not officially recognize youth depression until 1980…" (2)
  • Part of the reason adolescent depression wasn't recognized sooner was because many doctors didn't think children and teens were mentally mature enough to become depressed. (2)
  • "According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about 6% of young people between the ages nine and 17 suffer from some type of depression; 4.9% in that age group suffer from major depression." (2)
  • Another suspected cause for the increased teen suicide rate is the easy accessibility of firearms. It is too easy for a teenager to get their hands on a gun, and use it for deadly purposes. (3)
  • From 1996-1997, the number of teens on the anti-depressants Prozac, Zoloft, or Paxil more than doubled since 1994. (3)
  • Extensive testing with those under 16 and anti-depressants has not been performed yet, so cautions are raised. (3)
  • 56% of children in the minor testing showed improvement in illness when using an anti-depressant. (4)
  • "89% of clinically depressed Americans are not using medication for their condition." (4)
  • Many families have no choice but a pill, because therapy for their child is too expensive. (5)

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