The teen years can be extremely tough and depression affects teenagers far more often than many of us realize. In fact, it’s estimated that one in five adolescents from all walks of life will suffer from depression at some point during their teen years. However, while depression is highly treatable, most depressed teens never receive help.

While occasional bad moods or acting out is to be expected during the teenage years, depression is something different. The negative effects of teenage depression go far beyond a melancholy mood. Depression can destroy the essence of your teen’s personality, causing an overwhelming sense of sadness, despair, or anger. Many rebellious and unhealthy behaviors or attitudes in teenagers can be indications of depression. The following are some the ways in which teens “act out” in an attempt to cope with their emotional pain:

Problems at school. Depression can cause low energy and concentration difficulties. At school, this may lead to poor attendance, a drop in grades, or frustration with schoolwork in a formerly good student.

Running away. Many depressed teens run away from home or talk about running away. Such attempts are usually a cry for help.

Drug and alcohol abuse. Teens may use alcohol or drugs in an attempt to “self-medicate” their depression. Unfortunately, substance abuse only makes things worse.

Low self-esteem. Depression can trigger and intensify feelings of ugliness, shame, failure, and unworthiness.

Smartphone addiction. Teens may go online to escape their problems, but excessive smartphone and Internet use only increases their isolation, making them more depressed.

Reckless behavior. Depressed teens may engage in dangerous or high-risk behaviors, such as reckless driving, binge drinking, and unsafe sex.

Nathan has fell into the traps coming from a home with divorced parents, one of which lives in Tennessee the other in Idaho where he is currently. The parents do not talk to each other so this is an attempt for them to at least come together and realize they both had part in Nathans reckless behaviors and help him move forward by supporting him now through his troubles. Giving a child time to get help and correct issues with love and support from all family involved.

Nathan now has a full time lawyer to help aid him through the processes of the court system.

Nathan is a great kid with hopes and dreams of living a happy healthy productive life. We have all made mistakes and well like any teenager with those mistakes consequences come.

Well we have 10 days to raise a bond for Nathan to be out of jail and i can not do this alone. I am asking to help this boy out he is actually very depressed and needs to be with family, go to counseling and help be guided back to a functional support team.