MAY 2019 • LONGISLANDPRESS.COM 41
THE BRIGHT SIDE
Depression among teens and high school students has reached epidemic levels. (Getty Images)
BY SHERYL NANCE-NASH
Decades ago, young people had few real worries. The biggest issues were getting a
driver’s license, passing the next exam, going to a party on the weekend, or finding
someone to take them to the mall.
The age of innocence is long gone. Today, the story is decidedly different. The statistics
are sobering. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
suicide is the second leading cause of death among people ages 15 to 19.
“More teenagers and young adults die from suicide than from cancer, heart
disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke, pneumonia, influenza, and chronic lung
disease, combined,” says Jeffrey Friedman, CEO of Central Nassau (CN) Guidance
& Counseling Services, a Hicksville-based nonprofit specializing in substance use
disorder treatment and mental health. “Every day in America, there is an average of
more than 5,400 suicide attempts by those in grades 7 through 12.”
WHAT’S INSIDE continued on page 42
43 PARENTING 44 PETS
45 ACTS OF
TIPS
KINDNESS
FAMILY & EDUCATION
TO COMBAT EPIDEMIC OF TEEN DEPRESSION, EXPERTS USE TALK THERAPY
/LONGISLANDPRESS.COM
