San Jose, Calif., October 9, 2007 –

Emily had started to feel alone and despite her close relationship with her mother, Emily did not feel her mother would understand why she had been feeling so down. In addition, her mother's job required more and more travel and Emily thought her mother did not have time for her anymore. This eighth-grade, straight A's student turned to marijuana and alcohol to relieve some of her bad feelings but when that did not seem to work she turned to cutting. Cutting is a form of self-mutilation where teens cut their skin deliberately and repeatedly until it bleeds. Cutting is an addictive behavior, and can be as difficult to control as drug or alcohol addiction.

"I was masking my emotional hurt with the physical hurt that cutting gave me," says Emily. "My bad feelings would bleed away and I would feel better."

According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, "Depression is defined as an illness when the feelings of depression persist and interfere with a child or adolescent's ability to function. About 5 percent of children and adolescents in the general population suffer from depression at any given point in time."

Luckily for Emily and her family, a school guidance counselor noticed something was wrong and took note on how Emily was becoming more withdrawn. The counselor recommended Emily and her family to EMQ Children & Family Services' Addiction Prevention Service program which works with teens and their families to stop high-risk behaviors that can lead to addiction. EMQ worked with Emily to address the underlying problems that had led to her cutting. EMQ counselors began helping Emily and her mother reconnect and start communicating again.

After much counseling and therapy through EMQ, Emily is no longer cutting. "I can wear short sleeves now," she says with a smile. But the most important thing is that she is free of addiction and once again feels close to her family again. "I actually tell her (mom) how I'm doing and feeling and I know that she's there to help me if I need it."

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry identifies below, some of the signs of depression that parents and adults should look for in their child and should seek help if one or more of these signs of depression persist:

• Frequent sadness, tearfulness, crying
• Hopelessness
• Decreased interest in activities; or inability to enjoy previously favorite activities
• Persistent boredom; low energy
• Social isolation, poor communication
• Low self esteem and guilt
• Extreme sensitivity to rejection or failure
• Increased irritability, anger, or hostility
• Difficulty with relationships
• Frequent complaints of physical illnesses such as headaches and stomachaches
• Frequent absences from school or poor performance in school
• Poor concentration
• A major change in eating and/or sleeping patterns
• Talk of or efforts to run away from home
• Thoughts or expressions of suicide or self destructive behavior

For more information and guidance, go to http://www.aacap.org/ or www.emq.org/.

Early diagnosis and treatment are essential for depressed children. Depression is a real illness that requires professional help.

About EMQ
EMQ Children & Family Services helps kids in crisis, and is nationally recognized for innovative, family-centered programs that help children recover and rebuild their lives. The private nonprofit helps more than 6,600 children and their family members every year through programs like Family Finding, Wraparound, support and educational services. Headquartered in Campbell, California, EMQ Children & Family Services has programs in Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Bernardino and Santa Clara counties. More information on EMQ can be found at http://www.emq.org.

NOTE to editors: For photos, please contact SoHanna Minami at (408) 470-9420.

Editorial Contact:
SoHanna Park Minami
EMQ Children & Family Services
(408) 470-9420   sohanna@sbcglobal.net