Ways to Fight Depression and Win

by Cheryl Alkon This article originally appeared in TEEN VOICES

 Everyone feels a little down sometimes. Who wouldn't? Life is filled with challenges and
 complications. Anything from getting a bad grade to breaking up with a boyfriend can make you feel
 sad. Even bad weather can affect people's moods. But what about when you, or a friend, always feels
 like nothing is worth the effort, even though everything seems to be going okay?

 When this feeling lasts for awhile and gets in the way of your life, or comes in repeated cycles, you
 could be suffering from clinical depression. Someone who is clinically depressed cannot just 'snap
 out of it,' and often, they can't explain just why they feel depressed.

 What are the signs of depression?

 Signs of depression include feeling hopeless or helpless about life. These feelings can translate into
 feeling less interested in your hobbies, sports, clubs or other activities that you used to be involved in.
 Someone who is depressed may be sleeping or eating a lot more, or less, than she used to before she
 felt depressed. Other indications of depression include a big drop in grades, hanging out with a
 different group of friend or dropping friends altogether. It's important to distinguish clinical
 depression from other emotions such as grief. If you have experienced a loss, such as the death of
 someone close, or you've just broken up with your boyfriend, it's normal to feel down for a period of
 time. A period of grief may last from several weeks to even a year. It's important to realize the
 difference-- grief is feeling sad about your loss, a natural reaction. But sometimes people don't work
 through their loss and it can turn into depression.

 Sometimes someone may feel so depressed that they plan to end everything and kill themselves.
 According to Melisa Poulos, Assistant Director of the Samaritans and the Coordinator of the
 Samaritan program, a nationwide support group for teenagers, teenage girls are more likely than boys
 to attempt suicide, although boys are more likely to die from their suicide attempts. Girls may be
 more likely to seek help for their problems, or talk and write about their feelings to try to help
 themselves feel better.

 How can I get help?

 It is important to get help right away if you feel depressed or suicidal, or if you think a friend is
 depressed and/or considering suicide. To get help, talk to someone you can trust, such as a parent, a
 teacher, a counselor at school or a friend who will listen to you, take you seriously and get you help.
 If you think a friend has a problem, talk to them openly. Encourage your friend to seek help. "Ideally,
 an adult who is familiar with this sort of situation is the best person" to seek help from, says Melisa
 Poulos.

 If you don't feel you can talk with anyone you know about feeling depressed or suicidal, there are
 many agencies and organizations you can turn to. These places can provide a listener who will let you
 talk about your problems without judging you and will give referrals and options on where you can
 get help. A few numbers are listed below; all are 24-hour crisis hot lines. You can also check your
 local telephone book (usually the yellow pages) under Social and Human Services, Suicide
 Prevention Services, Counseling, and Youth Services. It is very important that you keep calling until
 you can get help. Sometimes you can't pull yourself out of your depression on your own. "To treat
 clinical depression, medication, psychotherapy, and support all go hand-in-hand," says Evie Barkin,
 Vice President of the Manic Depressive and Depressive Association of Boston.

 You won't be turned away if money is a problem, either. "There are lots of services available that do
 not charge or will negotiate their fees," says Genny Price, Clinical Director of Bridge Over Troubled
 Waters in Boston. "A professional can't say, 'no money, no service.' There's an ethical obligation to
 help." If you get a busy signal or if no one answers the phone when you call, DO NOT GIVE UP.
 Call another organization right away.

 Feeling depressed or suicidal are feelings that can changed. Help is available. Don't give up hope in
 your life or yourself.