by KYW's medical editor Dr. Brian McDonough
Depression can be a major health issue during the teenage years but a report in the journal Medical Care raises some very concerning points.
The area of greatest concern is the fact that teenagers often fail to seek help for depression because they are embarrassed about the problem. The report which is based on information gained from 368 teens, looked at barriers to proper care.
The thought was that financial concerns would be the biggest issue and there is no doubt that finances played a role but far and away the stigma was a key issue. When they were polled, teens found that worries about stigma and the reactions of their family members were listed as major concerns and barriers to care.
If you have a teenager you think is struggling with depression it is important to speak with him or her about this. Let your child know you are always ready to communicate and that they never should feel ashamed to talk with you.
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