| Rockford Doctors say Some Teens Need Meds for Depression
ROCKFORD - Despite an FDA warning for teens taking anti-depressants, they're still committing suicide. A Rockford high school counselor says medication helps some of her students lead normal lives. The Food and Drug Administration put out the warning because some teenagers on anti-depressants were having suicidal thoughts. But other studies show teens still commit suicide. Local doctors we talked to think some teenagers need to be on meds. Jefferson High School lead counselor Dr. Judy Cunningham says after she talks to students struggling with depression she contacts their parents to suggest treatment. In her experience, medication helps them recover. "It's interesting because just last week, one of her comments to me is that she feels better than she has felt for years. She is coming to school every day and she is now talking about going to college.
Holiday stress can lead to depression
While most people are singing carols and wrapping gifts during the holidays, those who struggle with mental illness often feel increased pain and isolation. Terese Gessler knows, because she's been there. "The bigness of it, how it comes across as being a very extreme holiday," said Gessler, 38, who was diagnosed with major depression and anxiety at age 14. "The stresses that go with it shopping, parties, family gatherings." Although statistics show that suicides in Sheboygan County aren't higher than at other times of the year, mental health professionals and law enforcement officers in Sheboygan see the result of the increased stress and pressure Christmas can bring. "This can be a very lonely, depressing time for people," said Beverly Randall of Mental Health America in Sheboygan County.
New sex-offender laws, meant to protect, may instead ruin lives and increase risks
Everything began with babysitting. Michael's mother often made him watch her boyfriend's 7-year-old son, Aaron. One afternoon, while his mother was working, 15-year-old Michael performed oral sex on Aaron, and on at least three occasions persuaded the child to fondle him in return. What happened during those afternoons remained secret until Aaron tried to touch a cousin, who told his parents. Together, the boys' families dug out the truth about Michael. What he did may have been an echo of what was done to him. Michael said he spent the first half of his life being sexually abused by a grandfather who held his grandson on his naked lap. “Growing up, I had been through some sexual situations with older people, so I think it was acting out of curiosity.
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