We all know depression is not a good thing anyone wants to have, but sadly, alot of people do have depression.  In fact, according to the Discovery Mood and Anxiety Program, a mental health treatment center, about 20% of all teens will experience depression between they reach adulthood, and only 30% of those teens will seek help.

According to the Mayo Clinic, “Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. … it affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. You may have trouble doing normal day-to-day activities, and sometimes you may feel as if life isn’t worth living.”

Depression can start at any age and continue from there. Depression is something that stays for life and it’s hard to deal with, especially when it’s untreated. If you do have depression, asking for help is not a bad thing. In fact, asking for help could indeed help you feel better, so no matter what, you should always ask for help.

There are many different ways to cope with depression, but you should first try to talk about how you feel with people you trust, or seek out a professional therapist for help.

Professional therapy can help alot of people.  If you feel you need therapy from a professional, you need to know that therapists are not allowed to tell your parents anything that you don’t want them to know.

Depression is not something you should joke about or falsely claim you have.  If you think you might be suffering from depression,  talk to a friend you can trust, or talk to our guidance counselor, Mrs. Will, or our Mental Health Specialist, Miss Waggoner.  You can also call the Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).  Whatever you do, though, please get help!