Depression: Out of the Shadows

Many Americans are keeping an important, possibly deadly secret: depression. Approximately 15 million American adults live with this devastating disease which affects all age, race, gender, and socioeconomic groups. Through the voices and stories of people living with depression and interviews with scientists, Depression: Out of the Shadows provides a portrait of the disease never before seen on American television.


Producer: PBS Home Video, 2008
Format: DVD, 90 minutes (includes Spanish audio/subtitles)
Don`t Kill Yourself

One Survivor`s Message

This is the story of a young man, David, who at 16 years of age survived a suicide attempt. Now 22, he shares the events of his life leading up to the attempt, including how low self-esteem led to drug addiction, and how the addiction encouraged the sense that life was no longer worth living. David goes on to describe the suicide attempt, his recovery from addiction, and how he has since changed his life.


Produced by: Films for the Humanities Sciences
Format: Video, 25 minutes
Leave Me Alone!

Anxiety and Depression

When your teen slams the door and shouts "Leave me alone!" – should you? Will your child be safe? Or are there signs of depression, anxiety, even suicidal thoughts?

Every parent needs to know the warning signs – when life feels too heavy or too scary for your child to handle alone. Watch Leave Me Alone to learn about what treatments are available and what works with kids. Hear teens talk about their struggles, gain insights into what your own child may be feeling, with practical parenting advice from child experts about what you can do to help your teen face the fears and alleviate the pain. And you’ll hear the inspiration and hope of families whose children are living happier, healthier lives.


Produced by: Connect with Kids Network, 2007
Format: DVD,Unknown running time
Teen & Child Depression

Even parents who are psychologists sometimes fail to diagnose severe depression in their own children. This program describes the common symptoms of depression: crying, withdrawal, over- or undereating, oversleeping or insomnia, concentration and memory problems, getting no pleasure out of life. In the extreme, these symptoms can lead to suicide—any threat of which must always be taken seriously. The program examines the possible causes of bipolar depression, presents evidence for the biological (as opposed to psychological) causes of depression, and discusses the role of environmental factors such as child abuse in activating depression. Treatment is also discussed.


Produced by: Films for the Humanities, 1991
Format: Video, 19 minutes
Teens At Risk

Teenage Depression
 
The statistics on teen depression are sobering. Studies indicate that one in five children have some sort of mental, behavioral, or emotional problem and that one in ten of these problems are serious. Among adolescents, one in eight may suffer from depression. Of all these children and teens, a mere 30% receive any sort of intervention or treatment. The other 70% simply struggle through the pain of mental illness or emotional turmoil, doing their best to make it to adulthood. The consequences of untreated depression can range from increased incidence of depression in adulthood, involvement in the criminal justice system, or in some cases, suicide.

Suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people ages 15 to 24. Even more shocking, it is the sixth leading cause of death among children ages 5 - 14. The most troubling fact is that these struggling teens often receive no counseling, therapy or medical intervention, even though the National Institute of Mental Health reports that studies show treatments of depression in children and adolescents can be effective.


Producer: TWM Media,
Format: DVD, 20 minutes
 
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