Many teenagers today struggle with depression. Most people think that depression is just “being sad.” However, it is much more serious than that. Depression can change how someone thinks, feels, and acts every day.

Globally, around 15 percent of teenagers have depression, but many are afraid to ask for help because they worry about being judged. Although admitting that you need help is hard, it is important that you do because it is the first step to healing.

What is depression?

Depression is a mental health condition that can make someone feel sad and lose interest in things they like. However, depression does not always look the same. Some people cry often while others become lazy or apathetic. Someone with depression may stop talking as much as they did, avoid hanging out with friends, or lose motivation to do things they loved before. For example, a student who once loved to draw might suddenly lose interest and quit. Some teenagers suffering from depression might struggle to focus in class, or get really tired even if they sleep for 12 hours a day.

Depression can also harm your body. People with depression may struggle with sleep or eating habits.

How to deal with depression

I had a classmate who had depression. For a long time, she only talked to the people she was really close with, and sometimes cried for no reason. She would skip lunch and clearly was not eating much, and she constantly would fall asleep during class.

Eventually she talked to a teacher about it, even though it was hard for her. With the help of her parents and teachers, she started therapy and improved.

One tip for dealing with depression is to ask for help first. If you don’t ask for help, doctors will not know about your condition and cannot help you. Asking for help can be hard, but once you do, you no longer deal with depression alone, and you can have someone you trust to help you.

Another tip for dealing with depression is to sleep at the same time every day. This may seem like useless advice, but it really helps. A regular sleep schedule can help you make better decisions.

Some people struggle to fall asleep. If you still can’t sleep after 20 minutes of lying on your bed, you should move to another room and do something calming like reading until you feel tired.

The last tip for dealing with depression is exercise. When you exercise, you release endorphins, which makes you feel good. It can also distract you from negative thoughts, and it makes it easier to fall asleep later.

What to do as a parent

As a parent, when your kid has depression, it is important to listen to whatever they have to say without correcting them. This makes them feel heard instead of interrupted. Even though “just listening” feels like something small, you’re showing that you’re there for them, which is the first step to building trust. If your teen does not trust you, they will not reach out to you when they face a problem, which makes it hard for you to give support. It is also crucial that you don’t push them to talk, as that can make them feel pressured.

Most important of all, take away dangerous objects like knives or scissors. Depression can lead to self harm and suicidal thoughts, which is more common than you think, and no one wants their kids to be cutting themselves.

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The hardest part of dealing with depression is building trust and finding courage to confront it. If you are dealing with a teen who may be depressed, you need to create an environment where they can develop trust.

If you are a teen dealing with depression, it takes a lot of courage to ask for help, so it is important to find someone you trust so you can reach out when you are ready.