Since the onset of the slow collapse of the U.S. economy, adolescent depression and suicide has been on the rise. This is typical when an economy flounders. As always, the wage earner and his or her family are suddenly restricted in their options and opportunities, downgraded, and maybe even cast out of their homes. When existence at its most fundamental levels becomes a grind, a struggle and the news of recovery only gets worst, those children who were once hopeful, who once had possibilities on which dreams might grow, find themselves face to face with the awful truth of futility, and in comes adolescent depression.
The adults, being adults, will suffer, but most will take up the struggle, for that is ours by nature. They will be depressed, but if they can feed, shelter, and clothe their children, if they can provide them with warmth or shade, then their spirits will rise: the children still live; that is their prize. Not so the children. The children have no such prize. Adolescent depression from poverty is inevitable.
Adolescent depression renders a dreary and melancholy world. They are constantly confronted with their disadvantages. When once they were able to purchase those latest shoes, that outfit everyone acceptable must have, now they must pick their styles from the thrift shop or out of a bin of shoes and clothes donated to the poor. The latest gadget, that hot video game player and the games to go with it are now all out of their reach. Entertainment is no longer getting twenty dollars from Dad and a drive to a party somewhere; there is no gas, and how can that adolescent appear in these old rags? They hear the snickers of the other adolescents when their mother drops them off in that rusted, weather-worn car. The ticket for the school trip to the zoo costs too much; they cannot participate; they have become outsiders.
The failures of economy do not only effect the wage earner, but his children as well. For this reason, schools, churches, social organization are urged to take up some of the burden in these times. Provide free tickets, as much as possible, create adolescent events that cost nothing, picnics, school sponsored zoo trips. Minimize the latest fashions, the latest gadgets, and emphasize what any child can do. Assure counseling based on the income of the parent. Adolescent depression is a journey that should not be taken alone.