Risky Business Essay [DRAFT]

Depression is a serious mental disorder that is often associated with sadness, frustration, and a lack of presence in oneself.  While it is known that depression affects adults, depression in teenagers, or adolescent depression has become prevalent across the nation.   With teen depression rates rising, the government should screen teens for depression and educate those who work with adolescents to recognize the signs of depression. 

            It has been found that teenagers are at an increased risk of depression due to the high amount of social pressure and their desire and need to fit in with a crowd.  The Associated Press states that two million teens have been diagnosed with depression. However, those are merely the reported cases.  It is estimated that 66 percent of depressed teens fail to seek help.  If the government were to institute annual screening of all teens, that 66 percent, could shrink to a near zero.  By screening all teenagers, more cases will be caught, and more teens will have a chance to heal. 

            However, opponents of mass screening argue that the procedures would be ineffective.  A government appointed medical panel stated that testing should only take place if psychotherapy is available.  Opponents have claimed that there will not be enough therapists and treatments available if the screening were to take place.  Despite this claim, if the government doesn’t screen all teens, even more cases will go undiagnosed. According to Dr. Ned Calonge, task force chairman and chief medical officer for Colorado’s Department of Public Health and Environment, “you will miss a lot if you only screen high risk groups.” Those who are aware of their disorder will at least have a chance at overcoming their depression.  Opponents also worry that screening could lead to inaccurate diagnosing and over diagnosing since the medical panel also has this fear.  While the medical panel fears this, they are also heading towards preventative measures by attempting to educate pediatricians about screening and making the indicator test simpler, easier, and less likely for inaccuracy.

            Pediatricians should become educated in basic mental health care in order to help depressed adolescents.  Ultimately, pediatricians would be the very ones to administer the screening tests; therefore making it extremely important that they are knowledgeable about an adolescent’s mental health.  Dr. Alan Axelson, a Pittsburgh psychiatrist, said that “Because children’s families often get to know their pediatricians, having those doctors offer mental health screening can help make it seem less stigmatizing.”
            Especially since depression is such a debilitating disorder that can lead to extreme sadness, social isolation, and suicide, catching it in its early stages is very crucial and beneficial to treating it.   Therefore, screening all teenagers for depression would be ideal for lessening their chance of committing suicide, and increasing their chances at rehabilitating and returning to their life.