The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) joins the National Mental Health Association (NMHA) in supporting national Childhood Depression Awareness Day today.
May 1, 2005.
For immediate release:
May 3, 2005
Contact:
Jim Wood, Director Development and Communications
202.966.7300, ext. 120, jwood@aacap.org
Erin Hanson, Communications Specialist
202.966.7300, ext. 119, ehanson@aacap.org
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) joins the National Mental Health Association (NMHA) in supporting national Childhood Depression Awareness Day today.
The 1999 Surgeon General’s report on the nation’s mental health determined that “at any one time between 10 and 15 percent of the child and adolescent population has some symptoms of depression. The prevalence of the full-fledged diagnosis of major depression among all children ages 9 to 17 has been estimated at 5 percent and in adolescents, considerably higher (in some studies, as high as 8.3 percent.)”
Depression causes over 500,000 young people to attempt suicide each year, which results in 2,000 deaths. These numbers have declined in recent years, but the need for increased screening and treatment to save and improve lives is critical.
The AACAP encourages the comprehensive treatment of childhood and adolescent depression. Pediatric depression is a real illness, with neurobiological underpinnings. Effective treatments for this disorder are available. Untreated depression has potentially great risks, and treatment has been proven effective, especially when started early. In addition to the suffering that occurs because of depression, its symptoms can and do interfere with academic learning, peer relationships, and family interactions, and often derail normal development.
For families living with childhood and adolescent depression, the AACAP offers: Facts for Families fact sheets in English and Spanish on depression and when and where to seek help via http://www.aacap.org. The AACAP, in partnership with the APA also offers www.parentsmedguide.org and www.physiciansmedguide.org, online guides for parents and primary care physicians that address concerns about pediatric antidepressants.
Representing over 7,500 child and adolescent psychiatrists nationwide, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) is the leading authority on children’s mental health. AACAP members actively research, diagnose, and treat psychiatric disorders affecting children, adolescents, and their families.
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) is the leading authority on children’s mental health. AACAP members actively research, diagnose, and treat psychiatric disorders affecting children, adolescents, and their families.
Our Facts for Families, available free of charge on the AACAP website, provide concise and up-to-date information on a wide array of issues relating to children’s mental health. Written in a simple, straightforward manner, these 88 one-page fact sheets are valuable to anyone raising or working with children. In addition, the AACAP routinely refers the media to expert spokespeople on child and adolescent issues, and sponsors The Campaign for America’s Kids – an initiative designed to fund an Advocacy Institute for Child and Adolescent Mental Health, with the goal of mental health for all children.
AACAP Mission: The Mission of the AACAP is the promotion of mentally healthy children, adolescents and families through research, training, advocacy, prevention, comprehensive diagnosis and treatment, peer support and collaboration.
