September 2023 Edition

Family & Consumer Sciences
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Recognizing and Managing Teen Depression
 

For young people, the start of a new school year can mean new struggles and challenges. Teenagers may struggle due to their changing bodies and hormones. Parents frequently wonder whether their child's behavior changes are typical or if there may be more to them than meets the eye. Become familiar with the warning signs and symptoms of depression to support our kids in leading happier, healthier lives.

According to the National Institute of Health, before they turn 18, approximately 20% of teenagers experience depression. Numerous physical, psychological and environmental factors, such as low serotonin levels, low self-esteem, poor body image, relationship changes or loss, trauma, peer pressure, bullying and abuse, can contribute to teen depression.

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, general symptoms of a major depressive episode include having a depressed or irritable mood for longer than two weeks plus at least five signs of depression. These signs include: sad feelings, frequent crying, loss of interest or pleasure in activities that once made a person happy, significant weight loss or weight gain, an increase or decrease in appetite, anger, agitation, fatigue, trouble concentrating, withdrawal from family and friends, change in sleep pattern, thoughts of death, and thoughts, plans, or attempts at suicide.

If you feel like your teenager is experiencing depression, start with a primary care physician for a referral or contact a trained healthcare professional, who can diagnose your child and offer appropriate medical advice.

 

Events Calendar

 

Upcoming FCS Programs

 

Homemaker Workshops

 

Senior Resource Summit

 

Health Bulletin Insert

 

Book of the Month: Tuesday's with Morrie by Mitch Albom

A story of learning how to live through the knowledge of an approaching death. A professor and his student share one last lesson in learning what it truly means to live and love. Morrie Schwartz was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease in 1994 and through his diagnosis he realized that the world continued regardless of his personal tragedy. In his final year, Morrie provided lessons on how to not carry self-pity, and how to embrace love and connection to others.

Mitch Album rediscover his sociology professor from twenty years ago. Morrie was in the last months of dying from ALS (a motor neuron disease called Lou Gehrig’s disease). Mitch started visiting Morrie in his home study every week every Tuesday (just like the visits where Mitch would meet with Morrie in his office every Tuesday every week while in college). Their rekindled relationship turned into final ‘class’ lessons on how to live! Love this book! It was a book I couldn’t put down!

‘Tuesdays With Morrie: An Old Man, a Young Man, and Life’s Greatest Lessons’ is listed on the 2023-2024 KEHA Booklist under ‘Classics and Old Favorites’. (You can get this book in large print!)

Debbie Wilcoxson, Chairperson for Cultural Arts and Humanities; Member of Modern Day Homemakers

 

Community Survey