How a breakthrough treatment is offering hope to adolescents and families across New Hampshire
The phone call every parent dreads.
Your teenager’s school counselor wants to meet. Your once-bright, social teen has become withdrawn, their grades are slipping, and the spark in their eyes has dimmed. You’ve tried therapy, medication, and countless heart-to-heart conversations, but nothing seems to break through the fog of depression that’s settled over your child’s world.
If this scenario feels familiar, you’re not alone—and more importantly, you now have reason for renewed hope.
The Adolescent Mental Health Crisis: By the Numbers
The statistics surrounding teen depression paint a sobering picture. Up to 20% of adolescents will experience a major depressive episode before reaching adulthood. That’s roughly one in five young people in our communities, our schools, and perhaps in our own homes.
But here’s where the challenge becomes even more complex: traditional treatment approaches often fall short for this age group. Medication compliance rates among teens can be as low as 40%, with many young people struggling with side effects, forgetfulness, or simply resistance to taking daily medications.
For families watching their teenagers suffer, this creates a heartbreaking cycle: the very treatments designed to help can become sources of additional stress and conflict.
Enter TMS: A Game-Changing Breakthrough
In August 2025, the FDA granted clearance for an expanded indication that’s sending ripples of hope through the mental health community. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy—already proven effective for adult depression—is now approved as an adjunct treatment for Major Depressive Disorder in adolescents aged 15 to 21.
At Oasis Therapeutics, we’re proud to be among the first providers in New Hampshire to offer this revolutionary treatment to our youngest patients.
What Exactly Is TMS?
Think of TMS as a precise, gentle way to “restart” the brain’s natural mood regulation systems. Using carefully calibrated magnetic pulses, TMS targets specific areas of the brain—particularly the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex—that are closely linked with mood and depression.
The process is surprisingly straightforward: patients sit comfortably while a specialized coil delivers magnetic pulses to targeted brain regions. Each session lasts about 20 minutes, requires no anesthesia or medication, and allows patients to resume normal activities immediately afterward.
Why TMS Is Particularly Powerful for Teenagers
1. No Medication Complications
For teens already struggling with medication compliance, TMS removes the daily challenge of remembering pills, managing side effects, or dealing with the stigma some young people feel about taking psychiatric medications.
2. School-Friendly Schedule
Twenty-minute sessions can easily fit before school, during lunch periods, or after classes. Many of our teen patients schedule appointments during study halls or free periods, minimizing disruption to their academic and social lives.
3. Independence and Autonomy
Unlike treatments that require careful monitoring or lifestyle restrictions, TMS allows teenagers to maintain their independence. They can drive themselves to appointments, participate in sports and activities, and maintain their normal routines.
4. Long-Lasting Results
Perhaps most importantly, the benefits of TMS can last up to six months, providing families with meaningful windows of relief and the opportunity for other therapeutic interventions to take hold.
Real Stories, Real Hope
Dr. Martha Koo, past President of the Clinical TMS Society, captures the transformative potential of this treatment: “Many of our adolescent patients arrive feeling hopeless—believing they’ve exhausted treatment options and will never again enjoy friends, hobbies, or school. With TMS Therapy, we’ve been able to offer a noninvasive approach that resonates with teens and their families and gets results.”
Her words echo what we’ve witnessed firsthand with adult TMS patients at Oasis Therapeutics. The difference is remarkable: patients who arrive feeling defeated often leave our treatment sessions with renewed energy, clearer thinking, and—most importantly—hope for their future.
The Oasis Difference: Veteran-Owned, Family-Focused Care
As a veteran-owned practice, we understand that mental health challenges affect entire families, not just individual patients. We’ve served in situations where leaving no one behind wasn’t just a motto—it was a matter of life and death. That same commitment drives our approach to adolescent mental health care.
Our board-certified team—Dr. PK Suchdev, Dr. James Mirazita, and Dr. Santharam Yadati—brings decades of combined expertise in anesthesiology, pain management, and psychiatry. This multidisciplinary approach ensures that every teenager who walks through our doors receives comprehensive, personalized care that addresses their unique needs.
We don’t just treat symptoms; we work to restore hope, rebuild confidence, and help young people rediscover their path forward.
Safety Profile: What Parents Need to Know
Safety is naturally every parent’s primary concern when considering any medical treatment for their teenager. TMS has demonstrated an excellent safety profile in adolescent patients, with the most commonly reported side effect being temporary discomfort at or near the treatment site, usually occurring early in the treatment course.
Unlike systemic medications that can affect multiple body systems, TMS is targeted and non-invasive. There’s no risk of drug interactions, no concerns about overdose, and no need for regular blood work or monitoring.
When to Consider TMS for Your Teenager
TMS may be an appropriate option if your teenager:
- Has been diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder
- Has not responded adequately to previous antidepressant medications
- Struggles with medication compliance or experiences significant side effects
- Is between the ages of 15 and 21
- Is looking for a treatment that won’t interfere with school, sports, or other activities
Taking the Next Step: What to Expect
If you’re considering TMS therapy for your teenager, the first step is a comprehensive consultation with our team. We’ll review your teen’s medical history, discuss their treatment goals, and determine whether TMS is an appropriate option.
The evaluation process is thorough but straightforward, and we’ll work closely with your teenager’s existing healthcare providers to ensure a coordinated approach to their care.
A Message to Parents: You’re Not Alone
Watching your teenager struggle with depression can feel isolating and overwhelming. You might wonder if you missed warning signs, question whether you’re doing enough, or fear that your child will never return to their former self.
These feelings are normal, valid, and shared by countless parents facing similar challenges. What’s important to remember is that depression is a medical condition—not a failure of parenting, character, or willpower. And with advances like TMS therapy, there are more reasons for hope than ever before.
Looking Forward: A Brighter Tomorrow
The FDA’s clearance of TMS therapy for adolescents represents more than just a new treatment option—it represents a fundamental shift in how we approach teen mental health. It acknowledges that young people deserve treatments that fit their lives, respect their autonomy, and offer genuine hope for recovery.
At Oasis Therapeutics, we’re honored to be part of this revolution in adolescent mental health care. Every day, we witness the power of innovative treatments to transform lives, restore families, and rebuild futures.
If your teenager is struggling with depression, know that help is available, hope is real, and brighter days are ahead.
Ready to Learn More?
If you’d like to explore whether TMS therapy might be right for your teenager, we invite you to reach out to our team. We’re here to answer your questions, address your concerns, and help you navigate this important decision.
Because every young person deserves the chance to rediscover joy, embrace their potential, and build the future they dream of.
At Oasis Therapeutics, we don’t just serve veterans and first responders—we are veterans. We understand the weight of battles fought and the journey toward healing. Now, we’re bringing that same commitment to understanding and care to the young people in our community who are fighting their own battles with depression.