Depression and Teens
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anonymous Asks ...
I am really depressed. I am 15 and I can’t stand my life or anything or anyone in it. I love my family but I can’t stand to be around them. My parents won’t pay for me to go to a therapist and the guidance counselors at my school are horrible (you can’t imagine opening up to them and them not laughing about your problems with everyone in the staff room 5 minutes later). Who else can I turn to for help?
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Rebecca Ashton Says ...
Hello and thank you for your question. I'm sorry to hear that you're having a difficult time.
As I'm sure you're aware, teenage years can be very difficult because as well as the hormonal changes, there are many other issues to navigate too.
These might include identity issues which can occur partly because you're not quite a legal adult, but you're certainly not a child any more and the transition can be tricky. Often, those around you will have their own opinions and ideas about where you might be developmentally and where you 'should' fit, which isn't always entirely accurate or fair and can make things seem worse.
I'm sorry to hear that you feel so isolated. I feel that it might be worth persevering with your school counsellor-part of the training covers the importance of keeping things confidential and there can be severe consequences when confidentiality is broken. They may well surprise you if you give them a chance to do so.
It could also be worth looking online to see what services or groups for teens in your situation are available locally, or even joining an online forum where you can discuss things anonymously with like-minded individuals.
Best of luck.
