An estimated 9% of 12- to 17- year-olds (or 2.2 million young people) experienced at least one major depressive episode during the past year.

• 60–80% of teens who suffer from depression go untreated

(U.S. Public Health Service, 2001; U.S. Surgeon General, 1995)

Complications of untreated teen depression are far-reaching and may affect many aspects of a young person's life. These include:

• School absenteeism and decreased performance
• Strained relations with parents and siblings
• Withdrawal from peers leading to reduced support systems
• Emotional distress
• Increased chance of smoking and excess alcohol and drug use
• Potential for suicide

(Asarnow, 2005; Brunstein Kolmeck, 2007; Chen, 2000; Kessler, 1995; Lewinsohn, 1995; Marmorstein, 2001)

Suicide is the third leading cause of death in 11 to 18-year-olds.

• 15% of U.S. high school students report serious thoughts of killing themselves in the past year.
• 11% o f U.S. high school students report making a suicide plan in the past year.
• 7% of U.S. high school students report attempting suicide in the past year.
• 2% of U.S. high school students report having made a suicide attempt that required medical attention in the past year.

(National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance, 2007)

The majority, 63%, of teen suicide victims exhibit psychiatric symptoms for more than a year before their deaths:

• For every completed suicide, an estimated 8 to 25 attempts occur
• Over three million youth are at risk for suicide, yet only 36% receive treatment

(Shaffer, 1996)

Males are at a much higher risk for suicide—one female dies by suicide for every four males:

• At age 10–14, boys die by suicide almost three times more often than girls
• At age 15–19, five times more often
• At age 20–24, almost 10 times more often

(Brent, 1999; Shaffer, 1996)