Clinical depression is capable of ruining your future. In a few years, teenagers will make careers in the world and begin their lives as contributing members of society. Each of them will have a job and meet countless other individuals. The dilemma the world faces is that approximately 17% of adolescents will suffer from depression before they become adults (Canada). This impacts not only their connections in the political/business world, but also their personal life and growth. Teenage depression is a serious social problem and should not be taken lightly. Depression negatively affects the mental, physical, and social aspects of an adolescent's development. Depression has a significant impact on the mental development of adolescents. It affects everything they do and makes it difficult to complete even the simplest tasks. It leaves them unable to concentrate on tasks such as household chores or homework (Belkin). The inability to concentrate leads to more serious effects such as poor grades, conflicts with others, and dropping out of activities or school (cash). Teens who suffer from these problems fall behind in schoolwork and have difficulty getting back on track. Therefore, these mental problems have crippling effects on adolescents' grades, academic efforts, and other brain activities. According to Rebecca Hagelin of the Washington Times, depression causes teens to "have problems concentrating, remembering and making decisions." Poor choices and decision-making skills lead to problems in other aspects of adolescents' lives. Along with the inability to concentrate and remember important things, depression places an immovable veil of unhappiness around its victims. Depression is often described as “persistently feeling sad… middle of paper… in adolescents.” New York Times March 18, 2010. March 18, 2010. Web. October 27, 2011. Canada, Newswire. “Standard Life Center for Breakthroughs in Adolescent Depression and Suicide Prevention.” Canada Newswire October 5, 2011: Regional business news. Network. November 4, 2011. Cash, Ralph E. “When Depression Knocks Down Teens.” Education Digest 69.3 (2003): 35. MasterFILE Premier. EBSCO. Network. October 27, 2011Haacke, Michelle. “Signs to Watch for Teen Depression.” Austin Daily Herald (MN) May 11, 2011: Newspaper Source Plus. EBSCO. Network. October 26, 2011.Rebecca Hagelin, SPECIAL TO THE WASHINGTON TIMES. “Watch out for signs of teen depression.” Washington Times, The (DC) (2010): 5. Newspaper Source Plus. EBSCO. Network. October 26, 2011.Vogt, Tom. “Two-Part Treatment Helps Teen Depression.” Columbian, The (Vancouver, WA) February 27, 2008: Newspaper Source Plus. EBSCO. Network. 26 October 2011Web. November 4. 2011.