Embargoed:Thursday 03 April 2003 00:01
Theresults of a survey released today by Depression Alliance the leading charityfor people affected by depression - clearly show that young people are indesperate need of guidance as the incidence of depression amongst their peersincreases.
The results, launched at the startof National Depression Week (7th 13th April), which this year is concentrating ondepression and young people, show that parents and teachers can no longerignore the killer condition that is affecting more and more children and youngpeople. It is estimated that between 10 20% of children will require supportand help for depression at some time[1]and yet respondents in the Depression Alliance questionnaire overwhelminglystate that not enough support is available.
One of the most striking resultsfrom the survey of 100 young people was the large number who had thoughts aboutsuicide (28%) . Worse still, another 24% of respondents knew someone who hadtried to kill themselves whilst 18% actually knew someone who had ended theirown lives. Worryingly, the youngestperson who filled in our questionnaire and was affected by depression was agedjust 10.
Depression Alliances Director, JimThomson, says:
Although most young peoplesurveyed had a good understanding of depression and its treatment, 9% werestill convinced that having the illness was a sign of weakness or just aphase.
47% of respondents claimed that de-stigmatisationand more access to support and understanding from those around them wouldbe the one thing that would make a difference in helping young people to copewith depression
As part of National DepressionWeek, Depression Alliance will be launching its young people and depressiontraining programme aimed at helping teachers and parents better recognise anddeal with this terrible illness. The message behind this years NationalDepression Week is that early intervention and a better understanding ofdepression will save young lives
In response to the concerns raisedby the survey, Depression Alliance today launches a new hotline toprovide preventative information and support to people with depression. Callersto the line will receive a special Depression Information Pack as well asdetails of crisis support lines. The line 0870 240 2822 (calls charged atnational rate) is open 24 hours a day.