Depression

Indicator Definition
High school students who report feeling sad or hopeless almost every day for two or more consecutive weeks during the past 12 months, and the feelings of sadness or hopelessness interfere with usual daily activities.

High school students who report being depressed in Colorado4

High school students who report being depressed by sex and race in Colorado5

Indicator Significance
An estimated one in eight adolescents in the United States exhibits symptoms of depression. But because depression is also associated with other behavioral conditions such as anxiety and disruptive behavior, it is difficult to diagnose in adolescents. Because teens experience many hormonal changes that lead to relationship conflicts and other stresses associated with the normal maturation process, diagnosis is challenging. Mood shifts may last for several days but if negative behavior becomes long-term with substance abuse and failing school performance, a more serious condition may be present. Teens experiencing depression are at higher risk for suicide and substance abuse.¹

Colorado Specifics
Colorado appears to have fewer high school students reporting depressive symptoms compared to other states. However, over the past six years, the prevalence of students reporting depressive symptoms remains troublingly high—fluctuating between 25 and 31 percent. This high rate is cause for concern because depression can lead to suicide, alcohol and drug abuse and school failure. Girls are almost three times more likely to suffer from depression than are boys and Hispanic students report a higher percentage than their white peers (34 percent vs. 23 percent).

Promising Initiatives
In Colorado
Southwest Open School (SWOS), an alternative high school in Cortez, enrolls approximately 150 – 180 students, most of them from low-income families. Many of these teens face additional challenges such as homelessness, school and social failure, chemical dependency, physical, emotional and sexual abuse, and pregnancy. To address these problems, the school established an on-site clinic in partnership with other community providers including the Montezuma County Health Department, which provides immunizations and dental clinics at the school twice a year. In addition, the Southwest Mental Health Center and the Ute Mountain Tribe provide counselors at the school to help students with serious mental health issues.²

Elsewhere
The Milwaukee Department of Health and Healthy Behaviors began a program to screen high school students for depression in 2002. Working with Milwaukee Public Schools, local hospitals and a Mobile Urgent Treatment unit, the department created Youth Mental Health Connections, which provides treatment to teens that are uninsured, underinsured or who need emergency mental health services. Two nurse practitioners provide volunteer screening. Program designers hope to provide poor and minority students in the Milwaukee area with equal access to mental health care.³

High school students who report being depressed⁶

Text

1. “Adolescent depression” Medline Plus Medical Dictionary
   
2. For more information: www.cortez.k12.co.us
   
3. National Association of County and City Health Officials, Model Practices database
   

Charts

4. Source: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2001 – 2005
   
5. Source: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2005
   
6. Source: National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Healthy Youth, 2005, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention