multitude of adolescent problems. The statistics about teenage runaways, alcoholism, drug problems,

pregnancy, eating disorders, and suicide are alarming. Even more startling are the individual stories behind

these statistics because the young people involved come from all communities, all economic levels, all

home situations-anyone's family. The common link is often depression. For the individuals experiencing

this crisis, the statistics become relatively meaningless. The difficult passage into adolescence and early

adulthood can leave lasting scars on the lives and psyches of an entire generation of young men and

women. There is growing realization that teenage depression can be life- changing, even life-threatening.

Depression is a murky pool of feelings and actions scientists have been trying to understand since

the days of Hippocrates, who called it a "black bile." It has been called "the common cold of mental illness

and, like the cold, it's difficult to quantify." (Arbetter 1) If feelings of great sadness or agitation last for

much more than two weeks, it may be depression. For a

million teenage girls become pregnant each year. Beth is a shy, quiet eighth-grader who is expecting a

chronic conditions in terms of social functioning." (Salmans 11-12)

university study showed a close link between depression and negative body image and girls are usually

the days of Hippocrates, who called it a "black bile." It has been called "the common cold of mental illness

a way to recapture the joy of childhood they are losing, a way to be loved and important to someone else, or

as an antidote to depression. (McCoy 81-82)

The reasons for depression are not always clear-cut. Although some depressed, even suicidal

with the ambiguity of education, the dis!

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 4009
Approximate Pages = 16 (250 words per page double spaced)