Depression: How to Get Help

What should I do if I am depressed?

If you think you are depressed, it may help you to tell a friend, but it is also important to talk with a parent or an adult with whom you feel comfortable. Friends are great to talk to and often very helpful, but for objective advice about serious issues, it is important to also talk with an adult. If you don't feel comfortable telling an adult that you are depressed on your own, you might ask a friend to be with you when you talk with someone, or help you find someone trustworthy.

Adults you might feel comfortable talking to about being depressed:

• Parent, guardian, or other adult relative
• Teacher or coach
• School counselor
• Healthcare provider
• Minister, priest, rabbi, or other clergy person

Any of these adults should be able to help you begin treatment with someone who works with depressed teens. If you tell one of these people and they are not able to get you help, tell someone else. You know your feelings best! Sometimes even adults may have a hard time accepting that a teen is depressed, or they may not know what to do.

If you are having an unusually hard time coping with something for up to two weeks, it's important talk with someone. It can be very helpful to meet with a counselor to figure out why you're feeling so badly. 

What if I'm thinking about hurting myself?

Anyone who has thoughts or feelings about hurting themselves should be taken seriously and should get professional help right away! Suicide is the third leading cause of death in teens and young adults, but it can be prevented with proper intervention and early treatment. It's important to realize how serious it is to have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself. When someone is very depressed, they're not able to think clearly and can become confused or make quick decisions about what to do. You must remember that hurting yourself is never the right thing to do, and that there are people who can help you. 

If you think you might hurt yourself, it's very important that you talk with a parent, an adult you trust, or someone else who can get you help RIGHT AWAY. If you're unable to get someone to help you or the adult is unsure what to do, call your local emergency room or 911.

What should I do if I think that one of my friends is depressed?

If you think your friend is depressed, you should try to get her or him to tell an adult, such as a parent, school counselor, or health care provider. If your friend will not get help, you should talk to a trusted adult. This is especially important if your friend has told you or another close friend that they don't want to live anymore.

You might worry that your friend will be upset with you if you tell an adult. In fact, they may have asked you not to tell anyone. You must remember though, that it is better for your friend to be angry with you at first for telling someone than to possibly hurt him or herself.

You or your family can find a counselor by talking with your health care providers, school nurse, school counselors or clergy person. Your health insurance company keeps lists of mental health providers organized by specialty: you can ask for a counselor who works with teens. All insurance policies, by law, have to pay for some counseling appointments. If you or your family has a hard time finding resources, you can look in the yellow pages under "mental health". 

Written and reviewed by the CYWH Staff at Boston Children's Hospital

Source: youngwomenshealth.org