A roundup of recent newspaper stories relating to preteen emotional health...

2004:
Jan. | Feb.

2003:
Jan. | Feb. | March | April | May | June | July | Aug. | Sept. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec.

DECEMBER 2003

New Middle Schools for At-Risk Youth in Low-Income Areas
A new breed of schools emphasizing tough discipline, long school days with Saturday and summer hours, and a broad-based education that includes art and music have begun to open in the Bay Area. These "KIPP" schools, short for the Knowledge is Power Program, now are in Oakland, San Francisco and San Lorenzo.
(SF Chronicle, 12/29/03, By May)

British Warning on Antidepressant Use for Youth
British drug regulators said that antidepressants' benefits for children with depression did not outweigh their potential risks. They also recommended against prescribing all antidepressants except Prozac to children under the age of 18. Some U.S. health professionals said the British action was too extreme, and that there are insufficient data to restrict the use of the drugs in adolescents.
(NY Times, 12/11/03, By Goode)

NOVEMBER 2003

Funds Scarce for Anti-Bullying Programs
While comprehensive anti-bullying strategies are proving effective at some schools, educators warn that budget cuts at the state and local level are forcing schools nationwide to put such programs on the back burner.
(Washington Post, 11/4/03, By Strauss)

OCTOBER 2003

Medicated Young Minds
Time Magazine explores the issue of using drugs to treat children with mood and behavior problems, and quotes Kiki Chang, M.D., assistant professor of child and adolescent psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford.
(Time Magazine, 10/29/03, By Kluger)

FDA Warns of Youth Suicide Risk Tied to Antidepressants
The Food and Drug Administration, which is investigating reports of an increased risk for suicide in children who use antidepressants, issued a new public health advisory about prescribing drugs to youth to treat depression.
(National Public Radio, 10/28/03, By Que)

Kids Fear the Taunts of Bullies
Academy-Award-winning filmmaker Debra Chasnoff's film about bullying, "Let's Get Real," premiered Tuesday night at the Herbst Theatre in San Francisco. This column by Joan Ryan highlights some stories from the film, and quotes Chasnoff on why she chose bullying as the subject.
(SF Chronicle, 10/26/03, By Ryan)

Study: Many Teenage Girls Underestimate STD Risk
Teenage girls who have unprotected sex and engage in other risky sexual behavior may underestimate their odds of getting a sexually transmitted disease (STD), says a new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which surveyed 209 sexually active teen girls, most of whom were African American or Latina. The study found that about 89 percent of girls surveyed felt that they were at little to no risk of getting an STD, yet 74 percent of the girls reported that they have engaged in risky sex, had symptoms of an STD or have had an STD in the past.
(Reuters Health, 10/15/03, By McKinney)

New Film about Bullying Kicks Off National School Violence Campaign
"Let's Get Real," a documentary on name-calling and bullying, was released Oct. 21 to kick off a national campaign to prevent violence in junior high schools. The National Education Association estimates that 160,000 children miss school every day due to fear of attack or intimidation by other students.
(Proud Parenting, 10/21/03)

Study: Antidepressants May Reduce Teen Suicides
A recent study by researchers at Columbia University supports statistics that the fall in adolescent suicide rates in the U.S. over the past decade coincides with an increase in the use of drugs to treat depression. This relationship was confirmed among males, teens at least 15 years of age, and among those from lower-income families, but as strong a causal relationship wasn't found for females, younger adolescents, or those from higher-income families.
(Reuters, 10/13/03, By Brown)

Teens and Depression
This article examines depression among teens and the debate over when it is safe and necessary to prescribe antidepressant drugs for teens.
(Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 10/19/03, By Anderson)

Packard Partnership Helps Teens Turn Angst Into Art
In cooperation with the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital's Teen Health Van, the Bill Wilson Young Playwrights project brings together troubled Santa Clara teenagers to write and perform short plays based on their experiences. The project also is an offshoot of a foundation grantee, the Bill Wilson Center.
(SJ Mercury, 10/16/03, By D'Souza)

Conference Promotes Self-Esteem for Young Women
"If Girls Ruled the World," an Oct. 10 conference hosted by Santa Clara County-based Girls for a Change, sought to boost self-esteem of the 130 middle school girls who attended. High school-age girls thought of the idea for the conference, and organized it.
(SJ Mercury, 10/13/03, By Patel)

Children Who Diet May Gain Weight
Children who diet actually may gain more weight in the long run than non-dieters, according to a survey of 16,000 kids age 9 to 14 conducted by the Brigham and Woman's Hospital in Boston. Researchers say that the most likely reason for this is that restrictive diets often are not maintained for long periods and are sometimes followed by binge eating.
(Wall Street Journal, 10/7/03)

SEPTEMBER 2003

Teens Want to Talk with Parents about Sex
A new survey by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy found that 88 percent of teens ages 12 to 19 said they would find it easier to postpone sex if they had a heart-to-heart talk with their parents.
(NY Daily News, 9/30/03, By Siemaszko)

Kids and Depression: What Parents Can Do
This article discusses some warning signs that may indicate depression among children. Researchers believe depression affects 3 percent to 5 percent of preteens and up to 15 percent of adolescents. The article is part of a Newsweek cover story on children's health that includes articles on allergies, immunizations, obesity and other topics.
(Newsweek, 9/22/03, By Beardslee, Goldman)

Middle School Madness
Linda Perlstein shares her experiences observing the social lives of middle schoolers, whom she followed for one year as part of research for her book, Not Much Just Chillin': The Hidden Lives of Middle Schoolers.
(Washington Post, 9/7/03, By Perlstein)

Study: Bullying Linked with Crime, Depression and Suicide
Both bullies and their victims develop behavioral and emotional problems later in life, says a recent study by a national advocacy group, Fight Crime: Invest in Kids. The study, which surveyed children in grades six through 10, found that nearly one in six children are victims of bullying each year, and that 60 percent of boys classified as bullies were convicted of at least one crime by age 24.
(CNN News, 9/4/03)

AUGUST 2003

Easing Students' Stress by Giving Breaks from Homework
In an effort to lessen student stress, school administrators in Palo Alto and San Jose are instituting programs to lighten the homework load. However, some educators fear this approach will only condense the same amount of work into a shorter time-frame.
(SJ Mercury, 8/25/03, By Wong)

Study: Many Preteens Don't Exercise at All
About 60 percent of children ages 9 to 13 say they don't play sports outside of school, according to a nationwide survey of 3,500 American children and parents by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The preteen age is key because it is the most physically active period of most people's lives, and a time when changing exercise habits could do the most good, said Marian Huhman, a CDC scientist who was the lead author for the study.
(SJ Mercury, 8/22/03, By Borenstein)

KQED's 'Forum' Examines Bullying between Girls
Rosalind Wiseman, author of Queen Bees and Wannabes: Helping Your Daughter Survive Cliques, Gossip, Boyfriends, and other Realities of Adolescence, and Rachel Simmons, who wrote Odd Girl Out: The Hidden Culture of Aggression in Girls, were interviewed by Michael Krasny.
(KQED Radio, 8/21/03)

Study: Many Preteens Don't Exercise Much
About 60 percent of children ages 9 to 13 say they don't play sports outside of school, according to a nationwide survey of 3,500 American children and parents by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). African-American and Hispanic children were much less likely to participate in organized physical activities than white children, as were children whose parents had lower incomes and education levels.
(CDC, 8/22/03)

Study: Boredom, Stress Are Factors in Teen Substance Abuse
A survey of American youth, ages 12 to 17, found that boredom, stress and extra money increases the likelihood they will abuse substances. The study also found that teenagers are as concerned about academic and social pressures as they are about drugs.
(SJ Mercury, 8/20/03, By Kerr)

Latino Youth More Likely to Suffer Depression, Says Study
Young Latinos are more likely than young people of other ethnicities to suffer from depression or consider suicide, according to a recent study. Prolonged separations from family in native countries could contribute to the depression, say doctors and therapists.
(National Public Radio, 8/19/03)

Study: Syndrome Linked to Obesity May Be Common in Teens
Nearly one million U.S. teens, which is roughly 4 percent of American adolescents, suffer from a condition associated with being overweight that makes them prone to diabetes and premature heart disease later in life, researchers reported.
(Washington Post, 8/12/03, By Stein)

Teenage Prostitutes Getting Younger
This article profiles the flourishing teen prostitution industry, where girls are getting younger (the average age of a new teen recruit is 13, says the FBI), the trade is getting more dangerous, and the teenagers come increasingly from middle-class backgrounds.
(Newsweek, 8/18/03, By Smalley)

Keeping Young Girls Off the Streets
Part four of the All Things Considered series, Girls and the Juvenile Justice System, profiles a San Francisco program that helps teens leave prostitution. According to experts, as many as 300,000 young girls -- some as young as 11 -- work the streets.
(National Public Radio, 8/12/03, By Kaufman)

Study: Teasing Exacerbates Unhappiness of Overweight Kids
University of Minnesota researchers found that, regardless of their size, teenagers who were teased about their body types were two to three times more likely to think about or attempt suicide than kids who weren't teased. The researchers also found a strong correlation between being teased about weight and rates of depression, low body satisfaction, low self-esteem and eating disorders.
(Star Tribune, 8/12/03, By Marcotty)

San Mateo County Plans Crackdown on Teen Smoking
In an effort to curtail cigarette sales to minors, the County Board of Supervisors approved a new ordinance with tighter regulations for retailers that sell tobacco products. The county sheriff's office also has agreed to perform sting operations to see whether retailers are compiling with the law.
(San Mateo County Times, 8/6/03, By Jouvenal)

JULY 2003

For Teens, Taking Risks a Normal Part of Growing Up
The recent case of a San Jose boy who died from what seemed like an innocent game of "punch-out" has parents and counselors struggling with how to help teens avoid dares or dangerous pranks. Scientists say there are biological and social reasons why youth, especially boys, engage in such risky behavior.
(SJ Mercury, 7/30/03, By Lyons)

JUNE 2003

Study: One in Five Santa Clara County Teenagers Has Considered Suicide
According to data extracted from the California Healthy Kids Survey, nearly one in three teens reports having driven while drunk or having been in a car with someone who was under the influence. Almost one-third of teens considered themselves overweight. On the positive side, teens are increasingly less likely to give birth or drop out of school.
(SJ Mercury, 6/26/03, By Francisco, Lyons)

California Youth Authority Faulted in Care of Mentally Ill
The California Youth Authority (CYA) has been criticized by numerous groups for failing to properly diagnose and treat children with mental illness. The state's budget deficit will most likely limit CYA's ability to implement the necessary reforms.
(Fresno Bee, 06/28/03 By Brown)

Study: Sexually Active Teenagers More Likely To Be Depressed
A Heritage Foundation study found a link between sexual activity and emotional well-being among teens.
(The Heritage Foundation, By Rector, Johnson, Noyes, 6/3/03)

MAY 2003

Teens Under Pressure
During a May 15 forum on stress among Palo Alto teenagers, a Paly High School student discussed how she felt overstressed by school work, extra-curricular commitments and family pressure.
(PA Weekly, 5/21/03, By Tang)

Parenting Adolescent Daughters is Hot Topic in New Books
The article highlights tips from books to help parents relate to teen daughters who face potential risks, such as unhealthy friendships, eating disorders, poor body image, and drugs. (SJ Mercury, 5/17/03, By Dunnewind)

APRIL 2003

Goofing Off is Vital to a Child's Happiness, Says Author
The stress children feel from over-scheduled lives inhibits curiosity and the development of talents and interests, says developmental psychiatrist William Crain, author of the new book, Reclaiming Childhood: Letting Children Be Children in Our Achievement-Oriented Society. (SF Chronicle, 4/20/03, By McManis)

Schools Adopt Antibullying Policies
Spurred partly by new research showing the lasting effects of teasing, educators and mental-health counselors -- as well as new laws in many states -- are accelerating efforts to eradicate typical childhood behavior such as gossiping and even giving dirty looks. Some experts wonder if this will make kids less resilient when they encounter disappointment later in life. (Wall St Journal, 4/8/03, By Petersen, and reprinted in the Boston Globe)

MARCH 2003

Even in Middle School, Girls Are Targets of Gossip about Sex
Article explores the social pressure girls as young as eight feel to express sexual knowledge, as well as the backlash this can cause to their reputation. (SJ Mercury, 3/29/03, By Meltz)

Suicide Watch
This Chronicle Magazine cover story profiles the suicide of Palo Alto teen Steven Wertheimer, who threw himself in front of a CalTrain, and discusses the debate surrounding the possibility that the acne drug Accutaine can cause depression. (SF Chronicle Magazine, 3/27/03, By Weiss)

Scientists Explore the Molding of Children's Morals
Over the last few years, schools across the nation have introduced character education programs with the hope of curbing students' temptations to lie, bully, use drugs, etc. The Department of Education has given $27 million in character education grants since 1995. (NY Times, 3/18/03, By Gilbert)

Successful Nonviolence Programs for Elementary School Kids
Programs in New York and Arizona, which give students tools to avoid violent behavior, are showing positive results. (NY Times, 3/11/03)

FEBRUARY 2003

Teens Screened for Many Conditions, But Rarely for Suicidal Tendencies
David Shaffer, director of Columbia University's child psychiatry department, is collaborating with Positive Action for Teen Health to promote national implementation of TeenScreen, a system that screens teens and directs treatment for those who exhibit risk factors. (Washington Post, 2/25/03, By Vinzant)

PBS Documentary:  'Perfect Illusions: Eating Disorders and the Family'
Documentary explores the role that family issues play in eating disorders, and the pressures young women feel to live up to what they perceive as the high expectations of their family and society. It also examines the traumatic impact of anorexia, bulimia and binge eating on families, who must deal not only with the deadly nature of the disease, but with the guilt of perceived responsibility. (PBS, 2/24/03, By Case)

Study: Girls More Easily Addicted to Drugs and Alcohol
A Columbia University study reports that while boys experiment with drugs to heighten social status, girls use them to reduce stress or alleviate depression, resulting in higher addiction rates. The authors recommends more preventive work with girls who fall into the various risk categories. (CNN, 2/5/03)

JANUARY 2003

Sharp Rise Seen in Psychiatric Drug Use Among Children
The proportion of U.S. children and adolescents on psychiatric medications more than doubled from the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s, according to a study lead by Julie Magno Zito, associate professor of pharmacy and medicine at the University of Maryland. This trend could signal either alarming overuse or evidence that more kids who need treatment are finally getting it, doctors say. (SF Chronicle, 1/14/03, By Torassa)