3 Million U.S. Teens Suffer from Depression Each Year

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Nearly three million U.S teens suffer from depression—a condition that affects more Latinos than other ethnic backgrounds—according to a new government study, CBS News reports.

“Adolescence is a critical time in a person’s development, and battling with depression can be devastating for teens unless they receive effective treatment,” said Paolo del Vecchio, director of the Center for Mental Health Services at the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

According to the report, the rate of depression among teenagers increased to 11% between 2013 and 2014, up from 9.9% the previous year.

“Effective treatment is available, but parents, teachers and all concerned members of the community must work to assure that adolescents in need get help,” del Vecchio said in an agency news release.

What are the symptoms of depression?

According to experts when teens are going through depression they tend to lose interest in the activities they enjoy the most. They also have trouble concentrating, eating or sleeping.

Learn more about teen depression here.