Monday, August 16, 2010: Recent Teen Mental Health and Substance Abuse News and Resources

Prescription Nation Why we should worry about the quiet epidemic of painkiller abuse, Newsweek “About two weeks ago, the U.S. Department of Health’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), reported that abuse of opioid painkillers has risen more than 400 percent over the last decade. And, while it was dutifully reported here and here, there […]

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Monday, August 2, 2010: Recent Teen Mental Health and Substance Abuse News

Sleep Flees With Kids’ Mental Health Issues “Insomnia significantly affects 29% of children seen by child psychiatrists, according to a national survey.” Click here to read the full article from MedPage Today.” OxyContin prescription drug abuse “a silent, growing problem” amoung youths The San Jose Mercury News reports on the growing number of children and […]

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Friday, June 23, 2010: Recent Teen Mental Health and Substance Abuse News and Resources

Adolescent Substance Abuse News/Resources Painkiller drug abuse soaring, CDC Chief Warns “Emergency room visits linked to abuse of prescription painkillers have jumped 111 percent in five years, straining the nation’s public health system, a recent study revealed.” Click here to read the rest of the article on the San Jose Mercury News website. Binge drinking […]

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Wednesday, July 14, 2010: Recent Teen Mental Health and Substance Abuse News

Teen Substance Abuse News The dangers of huffing: “Warning for parents after teen’s huffing-related death“ An Idaho teen dies after huffing freeon acquired from an air conditioning unit. Read more about this story and the dangers of huffing by clicking here to visit the KTVB website. Talking to your teens about drug use: “Q. Did […]

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Adolescents in middle school (Signs and symptoms of teen depression)

Teenagers face a host of pressures, from the changes of puberty to questions about who they are and where they fit in. The natural transition from child to adult can also bring parental conflict as teens start to assert their independence.  With all this drama, it isn’t always easy to differentiate between depression and normal […]

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Is it sadness or depression? How to tell the difference (Part 2)

Another factor is separating out sadness and depression. Sadness (or grief) is a natural response to loss and the symptoms may seem the same as depression. The major difference with depression is that the person feels that there is something wrong with themselves, “no one likes me, there is something wrong with me.” That usually […]

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Is it sadness or depression? How to tell the difference (Part 1)

Excerpt from “99 Tips for Talking with Your Teenager“ Tip #36: If you are concerned, call a professional, such as ACS, to get an opinion. Professionals can help you because of their experience and because they are more removed from the problem than you as a parent. Commentary from Margaret Murchan, LCSW: Teenage depression is […]

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