So I am depressed, now what?

Treatment Options
- Speak to someone you can trust. (ie. Teachers, Counselors, Professors, Friends, Parents & etc.)
- Seek professional medical help.
- Talk to a therapist or counselor.
- Most schools provide mental and health services.
- Most college campuses provide free therapy sessions included in tuition.
- Depression is usually treated with psychotherapy, medication, or a combination of the two.
- Antidepressants can be prescribed by a health care professional, but should be considered as a last resort especially for teens.
- Antidepressants can become addicting and may have various side effects (ie. increased suicidal thoughts, dependency, and etc.)
What else can I do to help manage my depression?
Patience is Key
- Stay active and exercise, even if it’s just going for a walk.
- Try to keep a regular sleep schedule.
- Spend time with friends and family.
- Break down school or work tasks into smaller ones and organize them in order of what needs to get done first. Then, do what you can.
What Should I Do If Someone I Know Is Considering Suicide?
REMEMBER THE DO’s AND DON’Ts
If needed…
You can call 1-800-273-TALK (8255), the toll-free number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL), which is available 24 hours a day, every day. The service is available to everyone. All calls are free and confidential. You can also chat with the NSPL online (http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org).
The Crisis Text Line is another free, confidential resource available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Text “HOME” to 741741 and a trained crisis counselor will respond to you with support and information via text message. Visit https://www.crisistextline.org.
Related Resources:
- Medline Plus (National Library of Medicine): https://medlineplus.gov/teenhealth.html (En español: https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/teenhealth.html)
- NIDA for Teens, Drugs & Health: http://teens.drugabuse.gov/blog
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org, 1-800-273-TALK (8255), free 24-hour help
- Anti-Bullying: https://www.stopbullying.gov