It was good to see your article on adolescent depression, and on the front page, too. As a psychologist, I am glad to see you encouraging parents to talk to their children about depression, since talking about it is a key strategy in prevention of mental health problems.
I would like to underline your brief mention of anxiety and its connection to depression. Teenagers in a competitive atmosphere often experience far more than average, tolerable anxiety, and parents should not take this lightly. If your teen or child is often anxious, tense, or unable to enjoy life, it is very important that she or he see a therapist or counselor, talk to the family doctor, or talk with another knowledgeable adult about the issue. Parents can talk to the therapist or counselor themselves to get advice on what to do, even if they are not sure if their child needs to see someone. We are all very open to these discussions. That is part of prevention, too.
Georgia Sassen, Ph.D.
Bolton Road
