As a parent, you hope that your teen will navigate their adolescence with joy and confidence. But sometimes, this time of life can be clouded by depression. It can be concerning to see your teen struggling. Let’s discuss some important statistics about teen depression in the United States, explore the warning signs and offer a message of hope — there is help available. 

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, depression is a serious but common mental health issue that affects millions of teens across the country. Here are some key statistics to consider:

• Prevalence — An estimated 5 million teens aged 12 to 17 years old in the United States had at least one major depressive episode in 2021. That translates to a staggering 20% of this age group.
• Gender disparity — Depression can be more common among female teens, with an estimated prevalence of over 50% reporting having periods of feeling persistently sad or hopeless in 2021. In 2022, approximately 11% of teen males and 28% of teen females had at least one major depressive episode. 
• Severity — While some teens only experience mild depressive symptoms, a significant number can experience depression with severe impairment. In 2023, over 11%, or 2.7 million U.S. teens, experienced severe major depression. This means depression had a significant impact on their daily life. Depression is associated with higher rates of school absenteeism, substance use, self-harm and suicidal ideation.. 
• Treatment disparity — Despite the availability of effective treatments like therapy and medication, teens with depression don’t always receive adequate care. There are barriers to treatment, for example, lack of access to mental health services, stigma and a reluctance to seek help. In 2023, almost 60% of American teens with major depression didn’t receive treatment. States with the highest percentages of untreated teens were Kentucky, Hawaii, Texas and South Carolina. 

These numbers paint a stark picture. It’s important to remember they’re not just statistics; they represent real teens facing real challenges. 

Recognizing the signs when it’s time to seek help

How can you tell if your teen may be struggling with depression? Depression can manifest differently in each person; however, there are some common warning signs to be aware of:

• Feeling down, sad or irritable most of the day
• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities they once enjoyed
• Feeling hopeless or worthless
• Difficulty experiencing positive emotions
• Increased tearfulness or crying spells
• Withdrawal from family and friends
• Neglecting personal hygiene or appearance
• Difficulty concentrating or focusing at school
• Sleeping too much or not enough
• Lack of energy or increased fatigue
• Significant weight loss or gain
• Restlessness or feeling slowed down
• Engaging in risky or self-harming behaviors
• Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
• Making suicidal threats or plans

Don’t ignore these signs. If you notice several of them persisting or causing significant distress, it’s crucial to reach out to a health care professional for a proper evaluation. 

Why early intervention matters 

Depression in teens is a serious issue, but it is treatable. Early intervention is crucial for:

• Improving quality of life
• Reducing the risk of long-term issues
• Developing healthy coping skills
• Building a stronger support system

Early intervention isn’t just about alleviating symptoms; it’s about helping to empower your teen to navigate life’s challenges with strength and hope. Support and guidance can make all the difference in your teen’s journey toward mental well-being.

How process-based therapy can help your teen untangle the knots of depression

At Lightfully Teen, we use a unique approach to treatment with process-based therapy (PBT). We have pioneered the use of this approach and we are one of the only behavioral health clinical treatment providers to embrace this framework to provide your teen with whole-person-centered care. PBT is a powerful tool that can help your teen with their depression struggle, not just by targeting the symptoms they’re experiencing, but also by addressing the underlying processes that are fueling them. 

This personalized framework allows us to create an individualized treatment plan designed specifically for your teen’s needs. PBT incorporates the most effective components of evidence-based techniques, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and cognitive processing therapy (CPT). It also uses compassion-based therapies and somatic therapies. PBT for your teen’s depression can help them tackle challenges like:

• Difficulty with emotions — PBT can help your teen identify their emotions and understand the physical sensations and thoughts associated with them. This self-awareness can help empower them to manage their emotions more effectively. They can also learn practical skills to regulate overwhelming emotions. Using techniques like mindfulness and relaxation exercises, they can calm themselves down during moments of intense sadness, anger or anxiety.
• Difficulty with thoughts — PBT goes beyond simply changing negative thoughts. It can help your teen identify unhelpful thinking patterns like catastrophizing or all-or-nothing thinking that can contribute to depression. Your teen can learn to challenge these distortions and develop more realistic and helpful thought patterns. Depression can make your teen rigid in their thinking; PBT can help your teen to develop cognitive flexibility — considering different perspectives and approaching situations with more adaptability. 
• Difficulty with behaviors — PBT can help your teen learn to recognize situations, thoughts and emotions that trigger negative behaviors like withdrawal or self-harm. This awareness can help empower them to develop alternative coping skills. Healthy routines — including regular exercise, balanced meals and adequate sleep — can promote positive emotions and overall well-being, which can reduce the urge to return to unhealthy behaviors. 
• Difficulty with relationships — Teens struggling with depression can struggle to effectively communicate their needs and feelings. PBT can teach your teen communication skills to express themselves clearly and build healthier relationships with friends, family and peers. If your teen is socially isolating, PBT can help them develop a sense of connection by teaching them social skills in a supportive therapeutic environment where they feel heard and understood. 

We offer different levels of care at Lightfully Teen that can provide your teen with the support they need to overcome depression and build a brighter future. 

Change is possible. When they’re ready to take the first step, reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team. We’ll take the next steps together, toward the fullest, brightest version of them.