• Depression is the most common mental health disorder in the United States among teens.
• 2.8 million youth age 12-17 has at least one major depressive episode a year.
• Between 10 to 15 percent of teenagers have some symptoms of teen depression at any one time.
• About 5 percent of teens are suffering from major depression at any one time
• As many as 8.3 percent of teens suffer depression for at least a year at a time, compared to about 5.3 percent of the general population.
• Most teens with depression will suffer from more than one episode. 20 to 40 percent will have more than one episode within two years and 70 percent will have more than one episode before adulthood. Episodes of teen depression generally last about 8 months.
• Dysthymia, a type of mild, long-lasting depression, affects about 2 percent of teens, and about the same percentage of teens develop bipolar disorder in their late teenage years. 15 percent of teens with depression eventually develop bipolar disorder.
• A small percent of teens also suffer from seasonal depression, usually during the winter months in higher latitudes.
Mental Health & Camp
General Teen Depression Statistics:
Teens suffering from depression are at higher risk for:
• 30 percent of teens with depression also develop a substance abuse problem.
• Teenagers with depression are likely to have a smaller social circle and take advantage of fewer opportunities for education or careers.
• Depressed teens are more likely to have trouble at school and in jobs, and to struggle with relationships.
• Teens with untreated depression are more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors, leading to higher rates of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
• Teens with depression seem to catch physical illnesses more often than other teens.
• Untreated depression is the number one cause of suicide, the third leading cause of death among teenagers.
• 90 percent of suicide victims suffer from a mental illness, and suffering from depression can make a teenager as much as 12 times more likely to attempt suicide.
• Less than 33 percent of teens with depression get help, yet 80 percent of teens with depression can be successfully treated.
How I Am Power Camp helps depression and mental illness:
• Most teenage depression can be easily cured if addressed early
• Activities showing them self-worth is vital
• The ability for empowerment professionals to help bring teens out of their box builds a winning spirit
• Teaching healthy exercise and eating habits helps healthy brain activity
• Physical exertion helps release much needed serotonin and positive feeling endorphins
• Small groups focus on showing teens that thoughts are better out then in
• Continued empowerment after event with Online “I Am Power” community
• No judgment zone! Youth need to be themselves and be comfortable. We don't know what is wrong until they share
• Mental illness can be manageable if proper exercises, tools and skills are added to assist the teenager. This includes PTSD, anger, depression, anxiety, focusing and social interaction