Understanding Prevention begins with understanding the problem and its potential for developing.  A school counselor is often a very helpful resource for information on adolescent depression.

See a Counselor Talking to a counselor, one-on-one and in family sessions, can be helpful to many teenagers and their families. When emotions and sad feelings are not openly discussed they can deepen into depression. A counselor can help your family begin to see how to change a difficult situation that is hurting you.

Maybe It Will Go Away Seeking professional help is important because depression hardly ever goes away on its own. We know from teen suicide statistics that untreated depression often leads to suicide.

Suicide Experts who analyze teen suicide statistics say that any teen who has been depressed for six months or more is in danger of developing worse problems and should get help immediately. According to teen suicide statistics, suicide is the third leading cause of death for 15 to 24 year olds. The number of attempted suicides is much higher.

Alcohol It might be tempting to turn to drugs or alcohol to escape your feelings, but doing so will only make things worse. According to research by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, teen alcohol abuse is a big problem: more than three million American teens are alcoholics. The top three causes of death for 15 to 24 year olds are automobile accidents, homicide, and suicide. Alcohol is a leading factor in all three.

Communication is Important Keep the lines of communication open. Talk to a good friend, a family member (your parent or guardian, if you can), a trusted member of your clergy, your friends parents, your coach, or a school counselor. Look for people you can trust, and let them into your life. Finding a safe way to discuss your feelings will help you make sense of them and hopefully find solutions to your problems.