March 30, 2009 6:30 PM
Government tackles teen depression: universal screening
More Big Brotherism:
Nearly 2 Million Teens Depressed, Government Urges Screening for All
Monday , March 30, 2009CHICAGO -- An influential government-appointed medical panel is urging doctors to routinely screen all American teens for depression -- a bold step that acknowledges that nearly 2 million teens are affected by this debilitating condition.
Most are undiagnosed and untreated, said the panel, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, which sets guidelines for doctors on a host of health issues.
The task force recommendations appear in April's issue of the journal Pediatrics. And they go farther than the American Academy of Pediatrics' own guidance for teen depression screening.
An estimated 6 percent of U.S. teenagers are clinically depressed. Evidence shows that detailed but simple questionnaires can accurately diagnose depression in primary-care settings such as a pediatrician's office.
Read entire article here.
What's sad is that under the guise of caring about the mental state of teens, there is another grab for government power. The presumed answer is that we can solve this problem without any reference to God.
So the recommendation that pediatricians screen so we can get teens into treatment - drugs or psychotherapy. when what would be the greatest help is a home with a mother and a father and a spiritual foundation.
See: Churchgoing linked to lower suicide risk.
Posted in Obama Nation, Teens and Tweens | Permalink
Comments
I was one of those teens with untreated depression. The screenings and doctors I saw didn't help. It took 17 years before I sought treatment.
Part of that treatment has included counseling through my church, professional counseling and medication. I am also involved in a Christian 12-step program.
I want to say more, but I would be getting up on my soapbox and really, I agree with what you have said about the greatest help being a mom & dad and a good spiritual foundation.
Though my dad died when I was 16, my faith in God saw me through some of the very darkest days of depression.
Posted by: J Dan | March 30, 2009 9:11 PM
My soapbox:
It is important to remember that having loving and involved parents and a strong faith foundation is no guarantee that a child/teen won't have a mental illness, just as it is no guarantee that a child/teen won't have cancer or diabetes. Appropriate medication and therapy can be exactly what is needed to save a child's life.
[Note from Barbara: Anna, I am certainly not saying these things constitute a guarantee - however, they certainly give a child a better crack at emotional health and should not be dismissed or underestimated.]
Posted by: Anna | March 31, 2009 8:22 AM
exactly :)
Posted by: Anna | March 31, 2009 9:19 AM
I don’t think anyone would disagree that medication and therapy are necessary in some cases of teen depression. The issue here is the government’s push for screening *all* teens – which I believe is just what Barbara said it is, a power grab by the government. Who comes up with the screening questions? Who decides which answers to which questions trigger a diagnosis of depression? Who decides what the appropriate course of treatment is? It is an attempt to usurp God-given parental responsibility while appearing solicitous.
And if the government decides it can screen all teens for depression, what’s next? Government-mandated screening of all adults for high triglycerides? Government-mandated screening of all pre-born babies for possible “abnormalities”? Nowhere in the U.S. Constitution does it state that our government is responsible for the health of individual citizens.
Posted by: Wendy in VA | March 31, 2009 9:34 AM
I think that if there really is a serious problem with teen depression, then it is due in large part because our society values the "me first" attitude. Divorce really hurts the kids and there's so much divorce in this country.
Please don't misunderstand me though. Of course, there are always situations that demand a separation. Violence, drug/alcohol abuse. That has always, in my opinion, been a very good reason for parents to separate; however, in this country? It's been more for selfish reasons. I think we've forgotten how to be married. There's so many reasons that people break up their children's homes and it breaks my heart. I've seen it in our own family. If only we would all grow up and learn to put ourselves second.
Just my opinion, folks. For what its worth.
Posted by: Sue from Buffalo | March 31, 2009 9:36 AM
Wow, Wendy! You're right and this is scarier than I could have dreamed of. The govt can decide if your teen is "depressed" by the answers a child can give, can they also determine the treatment that must be taken? Remember Animal Farm? Go right for the young and impressionable.
Things are really moving fast! I'm amazed. I knew he could be trouble but I never in my wildest dreams thought that things could move this quickly. It's not even 100 days yet!!
Posted by: Sue from Buffalo | March 31, 2009 11:21 AM
According to what I've read on internet forums, pediatricians already screen for sexual activity and push birth control prescriptions--has anyone experienced this? And now add mental screening, which if you resist all of this meddling, I suppose you are suspect.When our oldest was little, I believe our then-pediatrician turned in our dentist's name because he recommended against fluoride drops! At the time, I wondered why he was writing down the name, and after that our dentist would no longer give his opinion about fluoride supplementation--I found out from one of his other dental patients. See how this kind of thing works? I suspect we are getting to a point where if the physician doesn't conform, insurance won't cover that physician. And if you don't conform, they will probably report you into this medical database they've been talking about. At that point you could be targeted through your insurance, or if it involves your children they could enact legislation to preempt you legally.
Posted by: evergreen | March 31, 2009 12:56 PM
You know what's scary? They tried to do this under Bush, too. Does anyone remember that?? Sometimes it seems like we parents have no allies in the fight to remain the primary influence in our children's lives.
Posted by: Michelle Potter | March 31, 2009 3:47 PM
