Lingering in the Shadow: Teens Talk About Depression

Suicide is the third leading cause of death among American teenagers, a tragic loss numbering in the thousands annually. We have all heard the litany before: these are the angst-filled years in which mood swings, emotional stress, and problems in the home are typical occurrences, and teens must learn to deal with peer pressure, turbulent family life, and their own changing bodies. In fact, it is such a common story that families and teachers often ignore or cannot see the pre-suicidal signs of depression, instead attributing abnormal behavior to simply "being a teenager." While Lingering in the Shadow includes interviews with therapists who explain what depression is and how to recognize it, the main attraction here are the featured teenagers in group therapy sessions, who talk about depression and share their thoughts and feelings about fear, alienation, and suicide. Suitable for teens and parents to watch together as well as for classroom use, this solid peer-education title is recommended. Aud: J, H, P. (J. Asala)