Should you approach a teenager who seems to be having difficulties, or should you be ‘leave well enough alone’? Or is the situation ‘well enough’? Can you wait it out – whatever ‘it’ is? What is the logic for helping when depression can be so variable in severity, so changeable in its manifestations – and, at times, can put the young person at risk of suicide or self-injury? What is the best way to go forward?
If you have teenage children, or work with teenagers in any role, chances are you know a teen suffering depression. Fourteen percent, or nearly one million young people in Australia, deal with mental health problems. This book is the Black Dog Institute’s response to this statistic and to calls for help from teens, parents and professionals.
From recognising that there is a problem, to seeking help, getting a correct diagnosis, treatment and, finally, maintaining good mental health, this is a comprehensive guide for parents and professionals. Supported throughout by first person accounts from teens and their carers, this is both an essential guide and a source of understanding. The honesty of the teen contributors is a really valuable aspect of the book, offering a very personal insight.
Navigating Teenage Depression is an outstanding offering which should be read by every parent, and those who work with teens.
Navigating Teenage Depression: A Guide for Parents and Professionals, by Gordon Parker and Kerri Eyers
Allen & Unwin, 2009
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