TOPIC: Childhood and Teenage Depression

Only in the past two decades has depression in children been taken very seriously. The depressed child may pretend to be sick, refuse to go to school, cling to a parent, or worry that the parent may die. Older children may sulk, get into trouble at school, be negative, grouchy, and feel misunderstood.
Because normal behaviors vary from one childhood stage to another, it can be difficult to tell whether a child is just going through a temporary "phase" or is suffering from depression. On the next Health Link, we'll examine the warning signs, diagnosis and treatment of childhood and teen depression.

GUESTS:

Paige MacDonald
Paige has been the Executive Director for Families Together in NYS since the summer of 2000. She originally joined FTNYS in the spring of 1999, when she was hired as the Public Policy Director. Paige has been very successful in shaping policy and implementing systems change at the state level and serves as a liaison between families and policy makers. Paige serves as the Chair of Timothy's Law Campaign, the Children's Mental Health Action Network, and CCSI Tier III. In addition, she is dedicated to several committees and coalitions, and forges alliances with a wide range of stakeholders.

Paige is also the mother of four children. Her son has special emotional, behavioral, and mental health needs, and receives special education services and support in the local public school system.

Lauren Ayers, Ph.D.
Dr. Ayers is a psychologist in clinical practice and author of several books on adolescence and women's psychology, including Teenage Girls: A Parent's Survival Manual and The Answer is Within You: Psychology, Women's Connections, and Breast Cancer.

J. David Seay
David is the Executive Director of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill in New York State.

Kara Shirley, Pharm.D., BCPP
Dr. Shirley is an assistant professor of neuropsychiatric pharmacy practice at the Albany College of Pharmacy.