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The Back-to-School Check-up You're Missing: Has
Your Teen Been Screened?
(San Diego - August 13, 2009) - With back-to-school
check-ups in full swing, the California Association of Marriage and Family
Therapists (CAMFT) encourages parents to include depression screening
as part of their teen's back-to-school doctor's appointment.
CAMFT's recommendation follows that of a government-appointed medical
task force, which earlier this year changed its stance and now recommends
that doctors regularly screen all teens for depression, not just those
who appear at risk. More than two million teens are affected by depression,
or one out of 20. Six percent of U.S. teens are clinically depressed,
and most go untreated and undiagnosed.
Signs of depression can include significant changes in eating or sleeping
habits, chronic irritability or anger, withdrawal from family and friends,
changes in grades or school attendance, lack of interest or substance
abuse. For parents, these signs can often be confusing and misinterpreted
for "normal" teen angst.
Teen depression has been linked to lower grades, drug use, early pregnancy
and even suicide. Suicide is the third-leading cause of death among people
ages 15-to-24 and the sixth-leading cause of death among those ages 5-to-14.
Talk therapy with a licensed marriage and family therapist
or other mental health professional is a proven, effective treatment for
depression. For other depression warning signs or to find a California-based
marriage and family therapist in your area, visit www.TherapistFinder.com.
About CAMFT
The California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) is
a professional organization representing the state's leading licensed
marriage and family therapists. CAMFT provides TherapistFinder.com as
a resource for individuals looking for marriage and family therapists
located in California. Marriage and family therapists treat a comprehensive
range of issues including depression, anxiety, phobias/fears, elder and
child issues, relationship issues, post-traumatic stress, and severe mental
illness.
Media Contact: Tricia Whittemore
Porter Novelli
Phone: (619) 687-7018 or (603) 219-6088
E-mail: tricia.whittemore@porternovelli.com
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