• Suicide is the second most common killer of teens in Canada. And this country has one of the highest teen suicide rates in the world. Recently released statistics by UNICEF put Canada third. Young men account for the majority of the suicides, six times more likely than their female counterparts to kill themselves.

• School can be a very stressful experience both socially and academically. If you suffer from depression/manic depression, school can be increasingly difficult to deal with. Adolescents are at high risk for depression. Many people report that their first episodes of depressin occurred during their school years.
 
 

• In a Youth Mental Health and Illness Survey in Canada, 63 percent of teens said that embarrassment, fear, peer pressure and/or stigma are most likely what keeps a person that age from getting help. Nineteen percent said they may not even recognize that they had a problem, while 12 percent felt they had no one they can go to or don't know where to go for help.
 
 

• Students may turn to drugs and/or to alcohol to cope with the depression or mania. It may be the person's way of self-medication or avoiding medical treatment.
 
 

• Young women have the highest rate of depression in Ontario; nearly 7% of women aged 15-24 experience depression.

Provided by the Mood Disorders Association of Ontario - Toronto.

"If we paid no more attention to plants than we have to our children we would now be living in a jungle of weeds"
Luther Burbank, naturalist and plant expert

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This sentiment, made in the late 19th century, is suggestive of the need to give more concern to our children's health. Mental illnesses in particular often go unrecognized and untreated. In fact, 8 out 10 children suffering from mental illness do not receive the care they need.
 
 

Autism, (a pervasive developmental disorder), learning disorders, attachment disorders, conduct disorders and substance abuse collectively affect millions of children and have long been included in the list of disorders experienced by children. However, for much of history, childhood was considered a happy, idyllic period of life, devoid of mental and emotional problems. Research conducted in the past few decades proves otherwise, children do suffer from depression, manic-depression, and anxiety disorders. 
 
 

Studies show that many mental illnesses, including depression, have a biological component (a hereditary susceptibility to neurotransmitter imbalances). Family environment and life experiences can also play a role. A substance abusing parent cannot always provide the consistency a child needs. Events such as loss of a loved one (through divorce, death, moving) coping with cronic illness in the family, or living with an abusive parent are incredibly stressful for children. Somehow,in some way, the stress will show. Since many children from stable, loving environments also develop the illness, genetics, biology and environment work together to contribute to depression. 
 
 

Depressed children may present the same or typical symptoms of depression as adults: feeling hopeless, guilty, changes in appetite and sleeping patterns; loss of energy and interest in activities, low self-esteem and an inability to concentrate. 
 
 

Unlike adults, children may not understand or be able to describe how they feel. Thus, they cannot express themselves appropriately and may show their problems in behaviour. Some key behaviours are: a drop in school performance, fidgiting, pacing, wringing hands, pulling or rubbing clothing, objects, hair, etc., outbursts, crying, fear or anxiety, aggression, irritability, anti-social behaviour, substance abuse, and complaints of aches and pains with no known cause.
 
 

What to do?
Therapy is essential for children struggling with depression so that they can develop their academic and social skills. Children respond well to treatment because they adapt readily and symptoms are not yet entrenched. Psychotherapy, in which the child learns to express feelings and develop coping skills for the illness and their environment, is very effective. Anti-depressant medication is effective for some children. However, it needs to be monitored closely by a physician, usually a child psychiatrist. Psychiatric medication should not be the only form of treatment but rather part of a comprehensive program that usually includes psychotherapy. 
 
 

For families coping with depression or any mental illness, It's recommended learning as much as possible about the illness and attending self-support groups. 
 
 

Information is key to coping

For local families (Brantford, Ontario area) the CMHA-Brant County Branch, has a variety of resources, including audio-visual materials that are available to the public through their Lending Library. As well, ECLIPSE has separate components for youth and family members. Brant County residents, please drop by or call Karen Kuzmich at the CMHA, 44 King St. Suite 203, Brantford, ON  N3T 3C7, tel: 752-2998 for more information. For those of you in other areas, use the internet. It's a wonderful source of information about Depression and self-help groups. 
 
 

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