The American Academy of Pediatrics has designated October as Child Health Month. Oct. 9 has been named National Depression Screening Day by the American Psychiatric Association and Oct. 10 has been set aside as World Mental Health Day, with a special focus on emotional and behavioral disorders of adolescents, by the World Federation of Mental Health.
Eugene-based Oregon Research Institute has made significant contributions to understanding the causes of youth problem behaviors, including adolescent depression, and is developing effective prevention programs.
"Many problem behaviors begin in early adolescence," notes ORI senior scientist Anthony Biglan. "That's why this is a critical time for teachers, parents, and counselors to guide children toward success." The U.S. spends an estimated $422 billion a year as a result of youth delinquency, binge drinking, dropping out of school, high-risk sexual behavior, and other problems.
Research shows that parents and others can make a difference by:
Major depression is one of the most common psychiatric disorders of adolescence, with about one in five high school students experiencing a clinically significant episode at some point in their lives. ORI investigators, who have studied the causes of adolescent depression and related disorders for more than 20 years, have developed a successful treatment program for depressed teens, which has been a
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Contact: Karen Bangle
karenb@ori.org
541-484-2123 x2449
Oregon Research Institute
1-Oct-2003