Teen Depression: Signs, Symptoms and Getting Help

Awards

Silver Telly Award

Chris Awards : Honorable Mention

Reviews

Depression may be most difficult to diagnose in teens since it is not unusual for them to be moody or experience emotional ups and downs. This program focuses on the differences between dysthymic, bipolar, and major depressive disorders and the signs that distinguish normal adolescence from actual depression. Four diverse teens share their experiences with depression in snippets throughout the production. They describe feeling anxious and hopeless, being unable to get out of bed or function at school, using drugs and alcohol to feel better, and contemplating suicide. A male and female psychologist weigh in with straightforward information about brain chemistry, genetic predispositions to the disease, and types of treatment. As the program draws to a close, the four teens describe their recovery and techniques for gaining control over their depression. With an even mix of fact and anecdote, this film will be valuable for health curriculums or a general teen audience.

- Vicki Reutter, Cazenovia High School, NY
School Library Journal

 
Highly Recommended Packaged in a three ring binder with media holder, this kit contains a DVD and a set of Teacher’s Resources including learning objectives, program summary, student activities including a pre and post test, role plays and fact sheets.
The DVD is very student accessible with the majority being narrated by Zach Wheeler who appears to be a high school student. It is fast-paced with no one speaker being on long enough for the viewer to lose interest. Four students suffering from depression are featured in very brief segments regarding their feelings, diagnoses and recovery. Authority is lent by Ekwenzi Gray, PhD. Clinical Psychologist at Howard University and Deborah Gatins, Phd., Clinical Psychologist. Both explain different types of disorder and treatments options, while Dr. Gray explains his own experiences with depression as well. Everything is very straight forward with terms both shown on the screen and explained in appropriate detail, neither too little nor too much information.
The variety of scenes in the DVD create interest and the transitions being a bit like an electrical shock are fun and are designed to emulate what it feels like to be depressed. There were some quality issues with the DVD “stuttering” a bit here and there especially during those transition scenes and during one student interview.

- Ennen, Maple River Schools, Mapleton, MN
Educational Media Reviews Online (EMRO)