OUR youth of today are more depressed at a point to where they are committing self-inflictions, and/or suicide. What should we do as adults too play our parts to help them.....even if they're not our own biological children?

As parents who wants to hear your child is suffering from some type of depression? Back in the day it was highly ignored, because if word got out...good lawdy, lawdy. Your child was deemed crazy by everyone on the block as well as in the neighborhood and the #1 target from their peers in school and out. Mind you that was only adding more to the problem.....

It is estimated that 2.5% of children in the U.S. suffer from depression rather it be genetic or otherwise. Depression is significantly more common in boys under the age of 10, however, by age 16, girls have a greater incidence of depression.

Type of Depression disorders are as follows:

Bipolar disorder

ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)

OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder)

As in adults, depression in children can be caused by any combination of factors that relate to physical health, life events, family history, environment, genetic vulnerability, and biochemical disturbance. Depression is not a passing mood, nor is it a condition that will go away without proper care.
 

Here are some primary symptoms of depression revolve around sadness, a feeling of hopelessness, and mood changes. The symptoms of depression in children vary. Signs and symptoms of depression in children include:

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  Irritability or anger.

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  Continuous feelings of sadness, hopelessness.
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  Social withdrawal.
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  Increased sensitivity to rejection.
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  Changes in appetite.
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  Lack of sleep to excessive sleep.
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  Vocal outbursts or crying.
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  Difficulty concentrating.
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  Fatigue and low energy.
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  Physical complaints (such as stomachaches, headaches) that do not respond to treatment
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  Reduced ability to function during events and activities at home or with friends, in school, extracurricular activities, and in other hobbies or interests.
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  Feelings of worthlessness or guilt.
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  Impaired thinking or concentration.
• Thoughts of death or suicide.
  

The diagnostic criteria and key defining features of major depressive disorder in children and adolescents are the same as they are for adults. However, recognition and diagnosis of the disorder may be more difficult in youth for several reasons. The way symptoms are expressed varies with the developmental stage of the youngster. In addition, children and young adolescents with depression may have difficulty in properly identifying and describing their internal emotional or mood states. For example, instead of communicating how bad they feel, they may act out and be irritable toward others, which may be interpreted simply as misbehavior or disobedience. Research has found that parents are even less likely to identify major depression in their adolescents than are the adolescents themselves. 

Here are some primary symptoms of major depressive disorder revolve around sadness, a feeling of hopelessness, and mood changes. The symptoms in Teenagers through Adulthood may vary. Signs and symptoms of depression in teenagers include:

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  Irritability, anger, or hostility
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  Tearfulness or frequent crying
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  Withdrawal from friends and family
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  Loss of interest in activities
• Changes in eating and sleeping habits
  

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  Restlessness and agitation
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  Feelings of worthlessness and guilt
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  Lack of enthusiasm and motivation
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  Fatigue or lack of energy
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  Difficulty concentrating
• Thoughts of death or suicide
  

There's NO such thing as a "how to parent book that can teach us or prepare us for everything" and I totally agree that threatening a child/teen to go to therapy is NOT one of the best solutions. Yes, true we as parents lash out in ways that aren't always the best from us hurting because our child is hurting. However, its NOT about what WE think is best, its whats in the “best interest of that child and/or teenager”. If it means them speaking with someone else other then yourself to get to the root of the problem; then so be it, except it, allow it. 
 
It takes a village to raise a child.....time to bring some of that old back into this new day 'n' age generation. We had fewer kids I'm sure doing less harm to themselves as well as to others. I hope our children are getting the assistance they need it hurts to see so many dying off for reasons unknown or only known to them. 
 
Let them know speaking with someone is better then speaking to nobody at all and they should not have to carry all the weight on their shoulders alone.  Of course there is nothing wrong with us parents speaking to someone also so we can keep our strength up for our babies rather it be child or teenager. For the other person on the end whom they may be speaking with, the only thing I can say is sometimes its good for us to just "LISTEN" and “not say one word nor judge”....good luck and blessings to anyone going through....xoxoxo ;-D

Below is a group site who stands by You Talk, They Listen...Please take the time out to contact them if you or anyone is in need of support:

http://www.facebook.com/crisislink?v=wall
 

Suicide warning signs in teenagers (see link below)

http://www.helpguide.org/mental/depression_teen.htm