Clinical depression is capable of ruining the future. In a few years, adolescents will progress in the world and begin their lives as contributing members of society. Each of them will have a job and meet countless other people. The dilemma facing the world is that approximately 17% of adolescents will suffer from depression before becoming adults (Canada). This impacts relationships not only in the political and business world but also on their personal lives and growth. Depression in adolescents is a serious social problem and should not be taken lightly. Depression negatively influences the mental, physical and social aspects of an adolescent's development. Depression has a notable impact on the mental development of adolescents. It affects everything they do and makes even the simplest tasks difficult to complete. This prevents them from focusing on tasks such as housework 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). Teenagers who suffer from these problems fall behind in their schoolwork and have difficulty getting back on track. Thus, 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 adolescents to “have problems concentrating, remembering and making decisions.” Poor choices and poor decision-making skills lead to problems in other areas 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 "a persistent feeling of sadness... 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 economic news. Internet. November 4, 2011. Cash, Ralph E. “When Depression Brings Teens Down.” Education Digest 69.3 (2003): 35. MasterFILE Premier. EBSCO. Internet. October 27, 2011 Haacke, Michelle. “Signs to Watch for for Depression in Teenagers.” Austin Daily Herald (MN) May 11, 2011: Newspaper Source Plus. EBSCO. Internet. October 26, 2011.Rebecca Hagelin, SPECIAL TO THE WASHINGTON TIMES. “Beware of signs of depression in teenagers.” Washington Times, The (DC) (2010): 5. Newspaper Source Plus. EBSCO. Internet. October 26, 2011. Vogt, Tom. “Two-Part Treatment Helps Fight Teen Depression.” Columbian, The (Vancouver, WA), February 27, 2008: Newspaper Source Plus. EBSCO. Internet. October 26, 2011Web. November 4. 2011.