Youth Depression Group Tackles Issue

How pervasive is youth depression in the community, and how can it be addressed? This is the key focus of the Bexar County Community Health Collaborative’s Youth Depression Advisory Council, a new community-wide group, which is delving into the issue and developing preventive strategies.
“We in the mental health field often have as many questions as we do answers regarding youth depression,” said Joe Thornton, M.D., chair of the advisory council from UTHSC and University Hospital. “This group is the first broad-based coalition that is trying to get a handle on the issue so we can help parents, teachers, counselors – and the kids themselves.”

Members of the advisory council provided input to the researchers conducting the Health Collaborative’s 2002 Health Assessment and Progress report, which will include questions that probe how youth depression manifests itself in local households. The advisory council welcomes new members. Call the Health Collaborative at (210) 822-8521 for information.

Courtesy: Bexar County Community Health Collaborative Winter 2002 newsletter.