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**Why is teen depression important?**
Teen depression is often overlooked. It is usually mistaken for the normal stresses of a teenage life. Untreated depression in a teenager can lead to worse issues such as not socializing or achieving in life. In addition, any case of depression can lead to more health and mental disorders. When it is overlooked teens usually dont seek help when they are feeling the symptoms because they feel they are the only ones. With this problem occuring the rate of teen depression is rising.

How does this impact teens, especially at NWHS?
Impacts of teen depression include changes in behavior, physical appearences, physical health, socail skills, and everyday decisions. Thankfully there are treatments to help. However, the worse impact that can happen is teen suicide if treatments are not given. Here at Northwest, it impacts our friends, our aquaintances, and even our teachers. Its hard to be around a depressed teen, especially when trying to help the individual. Some people dont realize the amount of teen depression surrounding them. Sometimes it is even mistaken for being too sensitive and those individuals are made fun of. This situation can worsen the depression. This turns into a snowball effect sometimes leading into teen suicide. The impact is major and we as people need to help out our fellow students and possibly save a life.

How Common is teen depresssion?
Most statistics show that 4-12% of teens are diagnosed with depression. Keep in mind most teens do not get diagnosed with depression because they simply do not feel the need to seek help. 1 in 8 adults that suffer depression have had it since they were teens. In Addition, it is more common for females to be diagnosed with depression. Realize that this is just being diagnosed. Less than 25% of those diagnosed actually get treatment.

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