Teen Depression
"Though the term 'depression' can describe a normal human emotion, it also can refer to a mental health illness. Depressive illness in children and teens is defined when the feelings of depression persist and interfere with a child or adolescent's ability to function."
"It is important to remember that the behavior of depressed children and teenagers may differ from the behavior of depressed adults. The characteristics vary, with most children and teens having additional psychiatric disorders, such as behavior disorders or substance abuse problems."
Focus Adolescent Services
"Unfortunately, many times when parents see resistant, belligerent, or hostile behavior from a teenaged child, they automatically assume this is normal rebellion. Sometimes there is a deeper problem that can be treated and dealt with by mental health professionals.
"Depression in adolescents can express itself as irritability, hostility, and anger, which can often lead to missed diagnosis.... We hope that About Adolescent Depression helps educate parents about teen depression, the risk of suicide, and the treatment options available."
About Adolescent Depression
"One of the most serious behavioral problems among troubled teenagers is depression. It is essential that parents recognize when a pre-adolescent or adolescent child is depressed, because treatment is more effective with early intervention. The more serious consequence of untreated depression can be risk of suicide.
"Therefore, any indication that a child has been depressed for six months or more should be treated in the same way you would if you saw signs of physical disease in that child."
Aspen Education Group
The following programs are offered by Aspen Education Group.
SUWS Licensed Wilderness Programs
"The wilderness experience removes modern distractions and allows teens to work through issues such as depression. Two self-concept studies that utilized control groups, pre- and post-testing, and a follow-up after one year revealed significant, positive improvements in student self-concept after participation in the SUWS Program."
"A unique approach to teens struggling with issues such as failing school. Equine-assisted therapy can be highly effective in helping teens understand and verbalize their issues. Their relationship with the horse gives them a new perspective on their lives and behaviors, and facilitates emotional expression in adolescents who feel disconnected and depressed."
Youth Care and Pine Ridge Academy
"Deal[ing] effectively with adolescents who are clinically depressed. The residential treatment offered by both programs is a good option for teenagers with resistance to treatment for their depression."
