Tulsa World: Teen depression rising, treatment falling short

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Teen depression rising, treatment falling short

By MIKE AVERILL World Staff Writer
Published: 5/31/2009 2:40 AM
Last Modified: 5/31/2009 5:16 AM

A new report shows 8.2 percent of American youths ages 12 to 17 experienced at least one major depressive episode in the last year.

Of the nearly 2 million kids who did, only about 39 percent received treatment, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

"It's pretty shocking stuff," said Beverly Moore, spokeswoman with Associated Centers for Therapy, a nonprofit community mental health center. In Oklahoma, one in five children is struggling with mental illness or substance abuse, according to a report released by the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services in September.

The report also points out that 40 percent needing mental health and 80 percent needing substance abuse help are not receiving treatment.

"Part of it is the stigma. Part of it is physical health and mental health aren't looked at on the same level. A lot of it is parents don't see the problem until it reaches a crisis."

A major depressive episode is two weeks or longer with either a depressed mood or a loss of interest or sense of pleasure and at least four other symptoms that reflect a change in functioning, including problems with sleep, eating, energy, concentration and self-image.

Mike Brose, executive director of the Mental Health Association of Tulsa, said his agency offers screenings at schools for mental health disorders and substance abuse. The problem is only 15 to 20 percent of the parents give written permission.

"The data

shows that if left untreated, mental health problems don't just spontaneously go away," Brose said.

Left untreated, mental illness and depression can lead to self medication with alcohol and illegal substances that can turn into addiction.

"There are still a lot of people that won't seek treatment because of the stigma. It's still out there and is alive and well and kicking," Brose said. "Through education, we have a chance to overcome that stigma."

It can be difficult for parents to identify what could be normal adolescent behavior and when that line gets crossed and becomes something more serious.

"Parents tend to err on the side of minimizing or denial. They don't seem to err on the side of 'What's going on? Maybe I need to talk to someone,' " Brose said. "In our culture, it's because of the stigma or the human nature of parents not wanting to think anything is wrong with children."

Sudden changes in mood, excessive isolation and change in peer groups are signs that something might be wrong.

"Those are more glaring things. There's also a lot of evidence that suggests teens are really good at masking their depression," Brose said.

There are many places in Tulsa where children can receive treatment, regardless of insurance or parents' ability to pay.

"For young people in need of services, the cost is not a barrier. Sometimes it requires a little help navigating the system, but they can get services they need," Brose said.

Youth Services of Tulsa; Family and Children's Services; the Parent Child Center; Mental Health Association of Tulsa and ACT all offer services for adolescents.

Associated Centers for Therapy also has the CALM Center, where children and teens can receive assessment and treatment for mental health or substance abuse crisis any time day or night.

"Parents need to know they're not alone. There are lots of support systems for parents dealing with mental health and substance abuse in children. They just have to find someone to connect them to those services," Moore said.

Signs of depression

Sadness that won’t go away

Hopelessness and boredom

Unexplained irritability or crying

Loss of interest in usual activities

Changes in eating or sleeping habits

Alcohol or substance abuse

Missed school or poor school performance

Threats or attempts to run away from home

Outbursts of shouting, complaining

Reckless behavior

Aches and pains that don’t get better with treatment

Thoughts about death or suicide

Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Mike Averill 581-8489
mike.averill@tulsaworld.com By MIKE AVERILL World Staff Writer

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	Report Comment a disciple, Glenpool (5/31/2009 6:28:38 AM) This story did a good job of letting the public know about signs of depression and where to go for help. Could the World do a follow-up story on the causes of depression among teens? What can parents do to help prevent depression in their children?
	Report Comment Few Clothes, Austin, TX (6/1/2009 9:54:56 AM) Join the adults that have depression over the state of the economy.
	Report Comment human1, Cast you fate to the wind (6/1/2009 6:35:14 PM) I hope the public who have families with mental health issues is aware that when parents have to contact Police or Cope’s due to a teenagers depression or other mental disorder or substance abuse the Broken Arrow, Ok and other city prosecutors CAN use the police call sheet on mental health calls against a Mentally Ill person who later is charged with a misdemeanor as leverage in a plea bargain. This is something they could not do to someone without the mental illness! It is if the state of Oklahoma wants to insure it is UNSAFE to seek mental health treatment not just because of the stigma but also because it is a possibility some District Attorneys will attempt to use it as leverage to obtain guilty pleas or fines for something the Mentall Ill person may not be guilty of. I am not saying all of them will do this but it is an option, I have been told the DA has! There are multiple obstacles to Mental Health Treatment, and this is the most ridiculous and unethical one I have heard of! But all parents should be aware of this before you contact COPES who usually will come with the police or ask for help from the police! It is not very safe to be depressed and call the police because you now have a police wrap sheet even if you are not charged with a crime! If COPES gets to your door and the suicidal person will not say I want to kill myself in front of them or the police COPES may inform you and the police this is just a DOMESTIC problem, not a mental health issue! WE have a D in Mental Health in OKLHOMA. All of these obstacles need to be looked at and how they play into whether a teenager or adult seeks treatment! There has been a new Mental Health Law passed a few days ago which should make it a little easier to insure someone possibly suicidal or truly unstable gets an evaluation. You no longer have to say I want to kill myself right in front of the police or crisis team as they have required in the past.
	Report Comment human1, Cast you fate to the wind (6/1/2009 6:49:23 PM) Hospitlization is a form of incarceration. You are locked up against your will. Any Mentall ill person who has been in a mental hospital know that. They may be making suicidal threats or cutting themselfs, but if they know the police can put them in locked rooms they many times freeze up and say nothing to COPES or Police who then do nothing because they did not hear it first hand even if the person is acting deranged, especially when the COPES team and Police only observe the person for 5 minutes! Mental Health Treatment

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