This paper discusses teenagers and the theorists of Jean Piaget and Erik Erikson. A problem that affects approximately 5% of adolescents is depression. . "Out of 100,000 adolescents, two to three thousand will have mood disorders out of which 8-10 will commit suicide" (Brown 1996). The causes of depression in a teenager can stem from family problems, peer pressure and bullying, and changes in the teen's life. Other factors that might lead to depression in the adolescent are self-esteem issues, poor body image, stressful life events, and pubertal status (Marcotte, Fortin, Potvin, and Papillon 2002). "In the last two decades, depression among teenagers has emerged as a major mental health problem" (Marcotte, Fortin, Potvin and Papillon 2002). Girls have more trouble in accepting their body image than boys.
