4 Troubled Teens Blog

Psychologist Stephen Hinshaw has released a new book in which he warns that the high expectations placed on teenage girls is creating a "generational mental health crisis." Surges in depression, eating disorders, self-mutilation, and suicide are being fueled by a host of conflicting messages, he writes.

"In the book, Hinshaw and coauthor Rachel Kranz make a compelling case that, compared to previous generations of young women who juggled fewer roles, today's teenage girls are literally collapsing under the weight of adult expectations, consumerism and a highly sexualized pop/cyber culture that celebrates physical perfection and stratospheric success."

The book, titled Triple Bind: Saving our Teenage Girls from Today's Pressures plays on the phrase "double bind," which was coined in the 1950s to describe the conflicting messages children receive from adults. The phrase "triple bind" is meant to convey the increased complexity of the messages that are inundating today's teenagers. Source: Berkley (CA) News

Labels: stress, mental_health, crisis

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In response to the Centers for Disease Control's shocking news on an 8% jump in the rate of teen suicide, the national children's crisis charity KidsPeace has issued a series of warning signs, potentially life-saving tips, and free resources to try and help prevent such unnecessary tragedies.

"There are a number of reasons why children, like adults, may find themselves thinking the unthinkable. At the core of all motivating factors lies a desperate need to cope with a situation that may seem beyond remedy."

The suicide rate for 10- to 14-year olds increased by 100 percent from 1980 to 1996 and is the third leading cause of death among 15- to 24-year olds.

Labels: suicide, prevention, crisis

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