Teen Depression & Suicide

Depression is one of the many major health concerns plaguing Americans today. It seems that more and more people are suffering from this disease on a daily basis, and the numbers are surely increasing as far as the children are concerned as well. It is fairly easy to develop a depressed state of mind these days and even more so for the children based on the following.

• Divorce/Separation
• School Bullying
• Parents showing little or no interest
• Peer Pressure
• School Work
• Sexual Awareness or Preference
• Lack of Communication
• Sibling Rivalries
• Boyfriend/Girlfriend Problems
• Self-Esteem
• Child Molestation
• Drugs/alcohol abuse

If by chance you are noticing any change in mood within your child please do not just shrug it off or take it lightly. Sometimes children act out because they want attention, but often times they act out because they have given up all hope that you the parent truly cares. Life, work and home life can be very demanding, but it shouldn’t deter you from communicating with your child, or asking them straight out what is bothering them.

Don’t wait till it’s much too late to get involved or question why? There are sure signs you can look out for that will give you an edge if you simply pay attention. If your child is moody and or depressed ask them why. Make it a habit to spend quality time with your child/teen so they can feel comfortable enough to tell you what’s bothering them, and if just recently separated or divorced make sure both parents stay as actively involved as possible. Your bitterness towards your ex should not supersede the needs of the child/teen no matter what. Yes we all know some break-ups aren’t amicable but for the sake of the child all issues should be placed to the side.

Considering your children is truly important, especially when one can find themselves in utter shock later because their child/teen either hurt someone else or themselves in the interim. Just a few weeks ago Marie Osmond lost her depressed teen, Michael Blosil to suicide and the same can be said for the child star known to us as "Boner" from "Growing Pains" Andrew Koenig who committed suicide due to his bout with depression, which has plagued him for years and then I also just recently heard about Lucy Gordon who starred in Spiderman 3. Ms. Gordon was found in her Paris apartment just a few days before her 29th birthday, last year. It isn’t easy to know when one is besieged with such torment that they will act out in such a tragic and fatal manner. To both recent families dealing with the loss, and all other families struggling with this I extend my deepest condolences and my prayers are with you.

The loss of a loved one can be extremely devastating but when that loved one is your own child the grief can be overwhelming, and the torment excruciating. No parent should ever have to suffer the loss of their child/teen or young adult due to suicide. If you can seek a professional early on it is truly commendable, so therefore, do so and do so as quickly as possible. Your child’s life depends on it, and it is your duty to assist them with getting the help they so desperately need before its too late.

© Copyright 2010~Susan B. Anna

revised Dec. 30, 2015