Even if your teen has never suffered in the past and isn’t currently suffering from depression, you need to educate yourself on this very serious topic.

Because the risk is so great and the statistics for teen depression and associated harms are currently so high, you simply can’t take a chance. Depression in teens can escalate way too fast and when we’re desperate, we tend to not make great decisions.

We simply don’t have the luxury these days of assuming our kids are going to be okay. The risks associated with teen depression are as devastating as they get. And the statistics are such that it appears more girls and gay, lesbian, and bisexual teens are depressed than aren’t.

This week’s episode is the second in a series on teen depression. In episode #51, we talked about the myths, the truths and signs and symptoms of teen depression. Today, we’re talking about what you can do if you suspect your teen is suffering from depression and how you can support them.

Access TRANSCRIPT here.

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Sources, Resources and Mentions:

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or go to SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for a list of additional resources.

Episode 51, Speaking of Teens

Episode 7, Speaking of Teens

Episodes 15, 16 and 22 of Speaking of Teens

Stephen Fry

What to do if you think your teenager is depressed (Child Mind Institute)

Understand more about what they're going through (Family Aware)

American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Depression: Parents' Medication Guide

Child and Adolescent Depression: A Review of Theories, Evaluation Instruments, Prevention Programs, and Treatments (Frontiers in Psychology)

What not to say to a depressed teenager and what to say instead (Parenting for Brain)