DepressionThis feature was created by Ashlee, a YouthResource peer educator Everyone has felt down or blue sometime in their life. We all go through rough times, but sometimes feeling sad is more than just a temporary mood change. When sadness and feelings of hopelessness last for over two weeks, it may be a depressive disorder. Though there are different types of depressive disorders, a general definition is an illness of persisting depression that affects the body, mood, and thoughts. It is more than simply a passing sad period and it cannot be made better just by brightening up or trying to get control of oneself. Depression is often overlooked in young people, brushed off as simply the moodiness of youth, but in reality it is a serious issue. According to recent surveys, as many as one in five teens suffer from clinical depression. Some people may become depressed in response to a particular event, and others may be depressed for no apparent reason. No matter what the cause, depression is a difficult disorder to deal with. It can have serious consequences and must be treated professionally. As GLBTQ youth, we are put in the sometimes very stressful position of dealing with the issues of adolescence and also being in the sexual minority. So, beyond having to worry about school, body changes, and dating, we have the added stress factors of things like homophobia, or concerns about coming out to family and friends. Sometimes, with all these stressors, it is easy to feel upset about our lives. We may get down and even feel hopeless, but it is important to remember we can get help if we are feeling sad and depressed. Read about how other GLBTQ youth dealt with depression in the stories and poems section. It's important to know the signs of depression and be able to spot them in friends, family and ourselves. Check out the Signs of Depression page for common symptoms of depression. Early recognition is key to getting help quickly. The first step is for a depressed adolescent to realize that he/she needs help. This step can be difficult. It is important for friends and concerned adults to encourage and help the individual find treatment. The good news is that depression is treatable. Treatment may include therapy or medications. Check out the resources below for more information. ResourcesFor more information about depression in LGBTQ youth or depression in general check out these resources: Trevor Project- 1-866-4-U-Trevor (1-866-488-7387) - 24 hours 7 days a week The Gay & Lesbian National Hotline - 1-888-THE-GLNH (1-888-843-4564) - Mon.-Fri. 4pm-midnight and Sat. noon- 5pm National Depressive and Manic Depressive Association Support Group Locator- 1-800-826-3632 - Monday through Friday 8:30 am-5pm call for resources National Foundation for Depressive Illness - 1-800-239-1265 - 24 hours call for resources The National Hopeline Network - 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) - provides access to trained telephone counselors, 24 hours 7 days a week "Adolescent Depression" National Library of Medicine "Adolescent Depression: Helping Depressed Teens" National Mental Health Association "Depression" National Institute of Mental Health Gay.com article |
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