According to a past poll conducted by "Who's Who Among American High School Students," 24 percent of high-achieving students (A or B average), ages 16-18 have considered committing suicide. Forty-six percent know a peer who has tried to commit suicide. Why the death wish? Suicide and self-harm are often major factors in depression.

Of course, a bad break-up or a terrible grade on a final exam can have you feeling like it's the end of the world...we've all been there! If after a few days you just can't seem to cope, however, you may be suffering from depression. In fact, statistics prove that 14-year -old girls are twice as likely as boys of the same age to be prone to major depression because of physical and hormonal changes and struggles with identity and self-esteem.

"Depression can affect anyone at any time-no matter who you are, what you look like, or where you live," states Bev Cobain, the cousin of the late Kurt Cobain, in her book When Nothing Else Matters (Free Spirit Publishing, 1998). After Kurt Cobain, the lead singer of Nirvana, shocked the world by tragically ending his own life, Bev Cobain made it her quest to educate teens about depression before it becomes too late.

Some survival tips she recommends to help break the chains of depression:

• Work it out!
Exercise releases chemicals called endorphins in your brain that lift your mood and give you energy.

• Chill out.
Feeling overwhelmed by college app's, home responsibilities, and term paper deadlines? You may just be stressed, not necessarily depressed-take a break and relax.

• Fun it up!
Laughter really is the best medicine and it's contagious. Be social and don't forget to smile. Surrounding yourself with friends and family is the best mood enhancer.

• Be Healthy.
Feeling healthy and good about your body comes with eating the right foods. A good balance of fresh fruits and veggies, healthy carbs, dairy products (milk does a body good!), and proteins is an essential ingredient for a positive outlook on life.

• Talk about it.
Depression feeds on feelings of hopelessness and loneliness. If you confide in someone, you'll find that you won't be alone anymore. Seek out a parent, close relative, teacher, coach, or friend. You may be surprised to find that everybody feels down sometimes

• Stick with it.
If you decide that your depression is serious enough to call for counseling or medication, following the doctor-prescribed treatment plan will lead you on the road to recovery.

• Feed your spirit.
Be goal-oriented, creative, and proud! If you can find your inner spirit and recognize your own talents again, you'll chase the blues away in no time.

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