Adolescent Development & Health

Parent’s Guide to Teen Depression

30% of our local high school students report having been clinically depressed in the past 12 months. CA. (Healthy Kids Survey 2014). Teenage depression isn’t just bad moods and the occasional melancholy—it’s a serious problem that impacts every aspect of a teen’s life. Teen depression can lead to drug and alcohol abuse, self-loathing and self-mutilation, pregnancy, violence, and even suicide….
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Depression and Suicide Rise for Hispanic Teenagers in Queens

She has a terrible secret. But she keeps up a good front.

Outwardly the teen, whose name, like others interviewed for this article, will be withheld because of her age, seems like any bubbly 17-year-old. She seems cheerful and laughs easily. She won’t mention any problems, not even to the Elmhurst Hospital volunteer who has helped her weekly with homework for several months.
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An Introduction to Adolescent Development

During the transition from childhood to adulthood, adolescents establish patterns of behavior and make lifestyle choices that affect both their current and future health. Serious health and safety issues such as motor vehicle crashes, violence, substance use, and risky sexual behaviors can adversely affect adolescent and young adults.

Some adolescents also struggle to adopt behaviors that could decrease their risk of developing chronic diseases in adulthood, such as eating nutritiously, engaging in physical activity, and choosing not to use tobacco.

Environmental factors such as family, peer group, school, and community characteristics also contribute to adolescents’ health and risk behaviors.

For more information regarding various health issues such as emotional health, eating disorders, dyslexia, ADD/ADHD, sleep, stress, teen depression, and teen suicide…..
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