Helpline may benefit depressed teens

By Staff Writer

In an effort to help troubled teens, a growing number of mental health organizations are launching help lines. These initiatives are designed to give people an outlet for their problems, as well as provide treatment options.

The Sammamish Review reports that the Crisis Clinic in Washington State took more than 1,100 phone calls last year. The clinic, which offers a 24-hour phone line, often reserves time at local counseling agencies in order to offer mental health assessments.

Kathleen Southwick, executive director of Crisis Clinic, told the news source that it doesn't matter how much money you make or how educated you are, the stats say that one in five people will experience some kind of depression or mental illness in their lives.

In addition to the clinic's line, the organization offers a Teen Link program, which connects depressed or angry teenagers with volunteers who are their age.

Southwick added that it is a common rumor that mental health issues flare up during the holiday season, as Spring is the clinic's busiest season.

According to research conducted by PBS, major depression affects approximately 15 million American adults or about 8 percent of the U.S. population age 18 and older in a given year.