March
26th 2011
Dear
helpline,
I’m 15 years old soon to be 16 and I
am very depressed. I have gone to my school
counsellor but he was of no help. My family
is unable to help me both because they don’t
like to talk and they refuse to help since
they say I need to help myself. I have tried
to commit suicide a number of times and my
life is going down the drain. Is there somewhere
I can go to without paying a fortune to get
help? Please help.
T.S.
Dear
T.S.
If
you think you are depressed, you’re
not alone. Depression is far more common in
teens than you may think, and there is a lot
of hope and help on the horizon. No matter
what you believe, people love and care about
you. If your feelings become so overwhelming
that you can’t see any solution besides
harming yourself or others, you need to get
professional help right away.
There
is ALWAYS another solution, even if you can’t
see it right now. Many kids who have attempted
suicide (and survived) say that they did it
because they mistakenly felt there was no
other solution to a problem they were experiencing.
At the time, they could not see another way
out, but in truth, they didn’t really
want to die. Remember that no matter how horribly
you feel, these emotions will pass.
Having
thoughts of hurting yourself or others does
not make you a bad person. Depression can
make you think and feel things that are out
of character. No one should judge you or condemn
you for these feelings if you are brave enough
to talk about them.
If
you’re afraid you can’t control
yourself, make sure you are never alone. Even
if you can’t verbalize your feelings,
just stay in public places, hang out with
friends or family members, or go to a movie—anything
to keep from being by yourself and in danger.
Another
solution to your depression is to talk to
your friends, in this instance your best friend.
There should be someone with whom you are
really close to and can turn to when your
family isn’t of any help. Starting a
conversation about depression can be frightening,
but you can say something simple: "I
am really down, and not myself. I need some
help. Is there anything you can do?"
You must also know that your friend will not
have all the right answers. They will be there
to listen, support you and also to be non
judgmental.
Discuss Story
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