Teen Depression Workshop to be Held at Library in March

TEWKSBURY— The Tewksbury Public Library and Lowell General Hospital are co-sponsoring a workshop called "Understanding Teen Depression" on Mar. 7 from 6-8pm. The event is free and open to the public, although recommended only for adults.

Kate Elkins is the Family Resource and Outreach Coordinator for the Center for Community Health and Wellness at Lowell General Hospital. She told Patch, "These workshops will offer practical insights into communicating with your teen or with parents (if you are the teen’s teacher or other school administrator). Workshop attendees will also review how to access treatment effectively."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, among students in grades 9-12 in the U.S. during 2013, 17 percent seriously considered attempting suicide in the previous 12 months.

The workshop will be led by Families for Depression Awareness, an organization that helps families recognize and cope with depression and bipolar disorder in order to eliminate suicide and promote wellness. Some workshops provided by the group focus on helping family members find treatment in Massachusetts, and how to help them when they reject assistance.

The library is located at 300 Chandler Street in Tewksbury. You can register for the event through Lowell General Hospital here, or by calling the Tewksbury Public Library at (978) 640-4490.

The event is also co-sponsored by the Tewksbury Police Department, and Circle Health and Wellness.

Image from Lowell General Hospital