a teen overcomes holiday depression

How to Deal with Holiday Depression

The holiday season can be a happy time for so many people. There are dinners, endless get-togethers, gift swapping, and finally, the toast to a new year. But for many teens, the holidays can also be stressful, anxiety-inducing, and in some cases, depressing. Teen depression is common during the holiday season–there are pressures associated with…

a woman recognizes her depression symptoms

Recognizing the Signs You May Be Depressed

The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc throughout the U.S. and the world. Normal routines like going to school and work got disrupted, resulting in many people ending up in social isolation, away from those they relied on for vital daily connections. Many teenagers felt the impact of safety restrictions, participating in virtual learning in a…

a woman thinks about self injury awareness day

Self-Injury Awareness Day

Self-Injury Awareness Day is recognized internationally on March 1st. The event brings awareness about the prevalence of self-harm among individuals. Past research has shown that up to 4% of adults and 15% of adolescents acted out some form of self-harm. The increased self-injury rates among young people have caused Destination for Teens to address the issue. What…

Teen Experiencing Depression

4 Signs of Depression in Teens

Teen depression isn’t normal. It is not healthy nor normal for teens to exhibit clinical depression symptoms, even though they may be moody and find it difficult to express themselves. For parents who see the signs of depression in their teenager’s behavior and actions, it is essential to seek treatment. Destinations for Teens can provide…

girl looking at smartphone experiencing teen depression

How Teen Depression Escalates to Drug Abuse

The teen years are an emotional roller coaster. It’s complicated by hormonal changes and the transition between childhood and adulthood. Though most emerge from the teen years without complication, nearly 6% of adolescents experience depression. Unfortunately, many of these teens go undiagnosed, never receiving the treatment they need for depression. Left untreated by health professionals,…

a girl looks stressed as she thinks about her teen depression and drug use

Teen Depression and Drug Use

Feelings of sadness can occur at any time and at any age. According to Psych Central, roughly 10 to 15 percent of children and teenagers are depressed at any particular time. This can lead to co-occurring teen depression and drug use. Although it is not uncommon for individuals at any age to develop mild to…

group of teens engaging in teen alcohol and drug use

Teen Alcohol and Drug Use

A potent mix of hormonal changes, growing independence, and still-developing brain structures make the teenage years particularly difficult. These difficulties lead to teen alcohol and drug use. Many adults look back on their teen years as a particularly challenging rite of passage, and today’s teens face even more pressures than their parents’ generation. With the…

A girl with signs of depression

Symptoms of Depression

Clinical depression has become increasingly common among adolescents. In fact, there has been a 37% increase in clinical depression among Americans ages 12 to 17 between 2005 and 2014. In the past year, more than 3 million adolescents experienced at least one episode of depression. Overall, the prevalence of depression among adolescents has continued to increase dramatically since the…

a girl thinking of teen suicide and depression

Teen Suicide and Depression

Depression is one of the most common mental health disorders in America. Thus, it is a major factor in suicide becoming the second leading cause of death among people aged 15 to 24. Suicide rates among Americans ages 15 to 19 has increased by more than 40% since 2000, making teen suicide and depression a major problem…