eNEWSLETTER
June 2003
Our Mission Statement:
"Providing a range of innovative professional services, empowering our clients to positively address issues affecting their lives."
Welcome to Clayfield Counselling Services June eNewsletter!
Why do our young people feel so depressed?
Did you know, almost 100,000 young people in Australia each year suffer from depression, and do not seek help. Kids Help Line service receives up to 1000 calls a week from children worried about their friends and family. More than 13 % called with concerns about a suicidal friend, while a similar number dialled after discovering or suspecting a friend was being abused at home.
Depression, previously regarded as the province of adults, is now being seen more and more in kids and is tipped to be the biggest killer, bar none, by the year 2020. This prediction comes from Dr Ken Nunn, associate professor and chair of Psychological, Developmental and Rehabilitation Medicine at The Children's Hospital at Westmead in Sydney.
Some of the contributors would include the following
- Family breakdown and domestic atmosphere.
Family breakdown is now at an all time high. Not only does that put kids in conflict of loyalties, but also it means that parents are often angry and depressed and preoccupied. When parents are so busy arguing; kids feel there's no one for them. They may also feel they have caused their parents to fight - Loss of Hope among the young.
With the decline of religion and less faith in a future, many teenagers are asking, "what's the point?" - Increased use of "depressing" drugs.
Not just caffeine, but alcohol and illicit drugs, including marijuana, cocaine, heroin and particularly ecstasy. - General increase in the pace of life.
So much so that parents are so busy egocentrically surviving that they can't "de-centre" and nurture the young. There's a trend for parents to "disengage" (as the Americans call it) from their own offspring.
Things to remember
- Up to 24 per cent of teenagers suffer a major depressive illness, but depression in young people is often not recognised.
- Stresses that sound small to adults may be very important to teenagers and should be taken seriously.
- When teenagers are suffering with depression, they aren't always able to ask for help and may even refuse your help at times.
Other websites of interest
- www.reachout.com.au
- www.togetherwedobetter.vic.gov.au
- www.pressurepoint.com.au
- www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au
Material referenced from the Sunday Mail, Brisbane Life and www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au
Need a qualified professional counsellor?
Office hours are from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. After hours and Saturday appointments are available on request.
Until next time then...
"Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal." - Henry Ford
The editorial team at Clayfield Counselling Services