Teens talk candidly about being young and depressed By Monique Balas News-Chronicle Megan VandenBusch and Laura Hannon both seem like everyday teenagers mulling their futures. Blond and blue-eyed, VandenBusch toys with what she wants to do when she grows up (possibly journalism), while black-haired Hannon is pretty sure she wants to become a midwife. But the two share something most people don't reach until they're much older: A depth of understanding, a way to express it and an acceptance that there is no "normal." "If you're looking for the perfect life, you're not going to find it," said VandenBusch, a junior at Southwest High School. She and Hannon are "starring" in a documentary addressing teen depression set to air at 10 p.m. Wednesday on Wisconsin Public Television. "Lingering in the Shadow" was produced by Eileen Littig, director of Northeastern Wisconsin In-School Telecommunications/CESA 7, and Dean Thomas of WPT. Funding came from the Byron L. Walter Trust with help from United Way of Brown County and the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation. Sula Kim of WBAY-TV will host the show. The girls were two of nine Green Bay students who met for a total of about 20 hours over 10 months' time to talk frankly about their experiences and struggles with depression, a biological disease experienced by about 3.5 million of the nation's teens. In addition to being on the video, both will be panelists on "Teen Connection," a live call-in show featuring clips from "Lingering." Littig decided to do the documentary because depression seemed to be an underlying cause of many other issues that affect teens. She's produced at least 300 programs on issues teens face, and "depression always seemed to surface," Littig said. "Depression is a life-threatening issue that has to be addressed, and I want kids and parents to be aware that there is not a stigma." Littig found that the topic is not only avoided, it's also poorly understood among parents and teachers. Social stigma encompasses the disease and makes it hard for some parents to consider taking their child to a psychiatrist or giving them medication for a mental illness. "And I thought, this is really ridiculous. We really must inform the public on what depression is all about," Littig said. In the video, the participants speak candidly about school stressors, treatment and a series of other topics. To find students willing to do the project, Littig contacted Cheryl Rotherham, a child, adult and family therapist with whom Littig had worked in the past. Rotherham got her colleagues at Child & Family Consultants involved: Ken Horn, also a child and family therapist, and psychiatrist W. Bradford Lyles facilitated the sessions. The taping was done last year at the counselors' Willard Drive office. "We heard what (Littig) wanted to do and we said yes," Horn said. "It was instantaneous." He and the other counselors' role was to edit the sessions for content. "The real fine-tuning of what we wanted the public to see and hear came down to the three of us," he said. Horn said it's critical that parents and teachers understand the distinction between erratic teen behavior and real biological depression. "When you have "A" students that are starting to get "C's" and "D's," it's more than just hormonal problems," he said. "Depression will get worse, and of course the ultimate negative outcome is suicide. You can't snap out of depression." Last year, there were 588 suicides and Wisconsin and Horn said he "didn't want to know" how many of those were teenagers. When their therapists asked Hannon and VandenBusch if they wanted to work on the documentary, the two had different reactions. "I was like 'Cool!' Let's go for it! 'Cause I'm going to be in a movie!'" said Hannon, a junior at West De Pere High School. "It's something I can do to help other people." VandenBusch, one of the most outspoken teens on the video, was more thoughtful. "The decision to do it was the hardest thing," she said, slamming her hand down on a table for emphasis. Although the two are at an age where peer opinions are usually taken seriously, they are adamant that their message transcends teenage teasing. "It shouldn't be something people look down on you for," she said. "It should be something people look up to you for." The video participants have all gone their separate ways, but VandenBusch said they share a bond that can never be broken. Sometimes, they may cross each others' paths at school football games and exchange knowing looks. "The 'How are you's' mean more than just 'How are you?' VandenBusch said. "It means something deeper." The teens hope their hard work won't go unnoticed and hope at least one depressed teen heeds their call. "My goal is to tell teens it's treatable," Hannon said. "Help is available. Please. If you dwell on it, it will ruin your life." Symptoms of teen depression - Irritability - Lack of concentration - Lack of enjoyment - Change in sleep patterns - Low energy - False perceptions - Change in appetite - Thoughts of suicide - Feelings of hopelessness - Declining function FYI: "Lingering in the Shadow," a documentary on teen depression produced by NEWIST/CESA #7, will air at 10 p.m. Wednesday on Wisconsin Public Television. A live call-in program with two teen panelists from the documentary will air at 7 p.m. Tuesday on WPT. The documentary's world premiere will be at 7 p.m. Oct. 22 at the Meyer Theatre, 117 S. Washington St. Kathy Cronkite, author of "On the Edge of Darkness: Conversations About Conquering Depression," will speak.