Story Archives of 'Teens'

Meredith Hall's book Without a Map tells a stunning story of exile and exclusion. Meredith grew up on the seacoast of New Hampshire and became pregnant at age 16, in 1965. Her memoir is a rare and clear glimpse into the social mores of the mid-60's, and reveals the state of shame many families faced when an unmarried daughter became pregnant. We'll talk with Meredith about the scope of her life which was framed decisively by the events of her teen years. Meredith teaches English at the University of New Hampshire.

We'll also listen-in as a son interviews his mother who gave him up for adoption when he was born 28 years ago. Mary Lou Maher and her son, Brad, spoke in a StoryCorps booth in New York City. You listen to the piece at the Public Radio Exchange, or you check out the StoryCorps website.

This show originally aired May 10, 2007

B.J. from Concord needed help for her teenage daughter Michelle, who was going through difficult times. Riverbend helped Michelle when she needed it.

Linda Day from Center Ossippee first went to the White Mountain Community Health Center as a pregnant teen. She learned coping skills that have helped her as a parent; now she teaches those same skills working at the center's teen clinic.

Treating a young child or adolescent struggling with severe depression is a challenging task for any psychiatrist. Should that child receive therapy only? Or should that child also be prescribed anti-depressants? If so, which drugs will work best? That question is getting a new look after recent studies showed that some drugs, like Paxil, could actually increase suicidal behavior in depressed children. We'll ask psychiatrists what their reactions has been to the studies, has it changed their approach to treatment, and what makes depression in children different from that in adults. Laura's guests are Dr. David Fassler, Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Vermont, Clinical Director at Otter Creek Associates and author of "Help Me, I'm Sad: Recognizing, Treating, and Preventing Childhood and Adolescent Depression" and Dr. David Schopick, child, adolescent and adult psychiatrist at his private practice in Portsmouth.

Alice Ryan of Laconia didn't have a lot of confidence when she took part in the Appalachian Mountain Teen Project. Now, she takes pride in her skill as a canoeist and outdoorswoman, and she's about to start a science program at the University of Montana.