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Bailey Hochstein
Todd Mensink
Social Problems
10 March 2018
Teen Depression
Abstract: Teen depression is becoming more and more prevalent in our society. With today’s
pressures and media it is hard for teenagers to avoid feeling like they are not enough. From
movies to magazines teens are being told how to dress, act and talk. It is no wonder they are
feeling depressed. Girls especially are more susceptible to teen depression. However, even
though we are seeing increases in depression in our teens they is not anything being done to help
them. With our increases we have seen no increase in the amount of resources available to these
teens who are struggling. Their depression is affecting their relationships with family and
friends, school work and their involvement in any other activities. Teen depression is on the rise
and we need to do something, in order to stop these numbers from further rising.
Depression In Teens. (2016, December 08). Retrieved March 06, 2018, from
http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/conditions/depression-teens
Adolescence is full of new experience and often creates unsettling feelings for teens.
They are beginning to face new social, family, economic, physical and emotional problems. To
worsen the problem, teens are overwhelmed by conflicting messages from parents, friends and
society about all things in life. No matter the circumstances of the teen, teens are simply just
more likely to suffer from depression. Teens may develop depression from a multitude of
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different circumstances. Depression in teens is seeing great rates of increase. Recent research is
showing that 1 in 5 teens suffers from depression.
This source was a great source. It provided a good overview of symptoms and causes of
depression but also followed up with many treatment options. This article is aimed at getting
people aware of the rise of teen depression and giving them tools to detect it in order to get help
for those who are struggling. The source seems to be a fairly neutral source and more focused on
facts and getting them across to the public then anything else. This was a helpful source because
not only did it provide information on the increase of teen depression, it gave a complete
overview of causes, symptoms and treatment. It helps me shape my argument that teen
depression is increasing because it had research that showed that the number of teens affected is
increasing.
Schrobsdorff, Susanna. “Teen Depression on the Rise Says New Pediatrics Study.” Time, Time,
15 Nov. 2016, www.time.com/4572593/increase-depression-teens-teenage-mental-health/
The journal Pediatrics found that the occurrence of teens who reported an major
depressive episode in the previous 12 months jumped from 8.7% in 2005 to 11.5% in 2014. The
number of kids who are struggling with these issues is becoming great. According to the
Department of Health and Human Services, more than three million adolescents aged 12-17
reported at least one major depressive episode in the past year, and more than two million
reported severe depression that impact their daily functioning. Even though the research shows a
rise in teen depression; using data from the National Surveys on Drug Use and Health, they
found there has not been corresponding increase in mental health treatment for adolescents and
young adults. Researchers said this shows that young people are going under treated and even
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untreated. This depression is beginning to affect kids in school. Ellen Chance, co-president of the
Palm Beach School Counselor Association, said they are seeing “anxiety and depression
affecting kids’ behavior and their ability to learn which can lead to dropping out or home
school.” Without proper resources we are running the risk of forcing these kids out of schools in
order to improve their mental health.
This source was a very helpful source. This source referenced a study done by multiple
sources including Journal of Pediatrics, Department of Health and Human services and also
National Surveys on Drug Use and Health. The sources of the data they used are well known and
respected which makes me trust this source and deem it reliable. The goal of this source is to
educate the public on the increase of teen depression and spark change within our society so we
