DEPRESSED TEENS
More than two million U.S. teens have suffered a serious bout of depression in the past year, including nearly 13% of girls, finds a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration report. On average, 8.5% of youth 12-17 admit to having a major depressive episode in the previous year; 12.7% of girls and 4.6% of boys were affected. Depression is the leading cause of suicide, which in turn is the third-leading cause of death for 15-24-year olds.
(Pastor’s Weekly Briefing 5/16/08)