Schools

Teen Depression: Fairfax County Public Schools Web Site Aims to Help

Site also helps explain ways to promote positive mental health for teens.

Fairfax County Public Schools has launched a Web site to help families promote positive mental health and to help prevent teens from feeling depressed.

The county youth survey shows that 31 percent of students and 37 percent of female students report feelings of depression.

The site has links to services and offers tips on helping recognize symptoms of depression and how to help a teen avoid depression.

Some of the signs of depression in a teenager, the Web site notes (* denotes symptoms more common for teens):

  • Sadness or hopelessness. 
  • Irritability, anger, or hostility. * 
  • Tearfulness or frequent crying. 
  • Withdrawal from friends and family or changing “crowds” altogether. * 
  • Loss of interest in activities; difficulty concentrating. 
  • Unexplained aches and pains. * 
  • Changes in eating and sleeping habits. 
  • Restlessness and agitation. 
  • Extreme sensitivity to criticism and feelings of worthlessness and guilt. * 
  • Lack of enthusiasm and motivation. 
  • Fatigue or lack of energy. 
  • Thoughts of death or suicide. 


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