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Teens

Depression and Anxiety: Stay CALM and get help

Identify

Learn

Communicate

Reach Out & Connect

Resources

Topic
Specific
Resources

Local
Support
Groups

Stay Safe

Identify

What are the symptoms of depression?
Symptoms of depression may include feeling sad, losing interest in activities you used to enjoy, spending less time with friends and family, grades dropping in school, change in eating or sleeping habits, loss of energy, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, irritability, difficulty concentrating, drug or alcohol use, thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself. If you feel that you or someone you know have depression, talk to a trusted adult or healthcare professional right away.

Is it depression or just regular emotions?
Sadness and grief are normal responses to difficult times in life. They can come and go. Depression lasts longer. It lasts for 2 or more weeks and gets in the way of daily activities. Depression can lead to changes in appetite, sleep, energy, and can even cause aches and pains like headaches and stomach aches.

How do I know if I have anxiety?
Everyone deals with stress and worry at times, such as before a big test or an important event. A person with an anxiety disorder has very strong feelings of worry or dread for months. The feelings don’t go away, and they get in the way of the person’s daily life such as school or social activities. These feelings can cause problems with sleep and mood and can even cause stomachaches or headaches.

Learn

Depression

What is depression?
Depression is a common and serious medical illness that can affect the way a person feels, thinks, and acts. It can cause problems at home, at school, and in a person’s social life. It is NOT a sign of weakness.

How common is depression?
About 1 in 5 teens suffer with depression.

How early can depression start?
Depression can develop from a very young age. Half of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14.

Does depression run in families?
Yes. Depression and other mental health disorders may run in families. Other things that can trigger or worsen depression include traumatic events (such as abuse or loss of a loved one) and major life stressors (such as bullying, pressure from school or sports, conflicts with friends or family).

How is depression treated in teens?
Treatment for depression includes therapy and sometimes medications. It often takes weeks to months to see improvement, but it is important to remember that depression is treatable.

Where can I learn more about depression in teens?
Visit the following website to learn more:

Anxiety

What is anxiety?
An anxiety disorder is not the same as occasionally worrying about things or experiencing anxiety due to stressful life events. Anxiety disorders involve constant worry or fear that interferes with daily life. There are different kinds of anxiety which include generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder and different phobia-related disorders.

How many teens have anxiety?
About 1 in 3 teens will experience some form of an anxiety disorder.

Does anxiety run in families?
Anxiety can run in families, but that is not the only way a person might develop an anxiety disorder.

How is anxiety treated?
Like depression, anxiety can be treated with therapy, medication or a combination of both.

Where can I learn more about anxiety in teens?
Visit the following websites to learn more:

Communicate

Who should I talk to if I am feeling depressed or anxious?

Talk to a trusted adult right away. This could be a doctor, parent, legal guardian, relative, teacher, school counselor, or coach.

How do I start the conversation?

Let a trusted adult know that you have something important you want to tell them. If you are nervous, practice what you are going to say beforehand or write it in a letter. Try to find a time to talk when there are no distractions. It is okay to let them know that you need their undivided attention. Expect them to have questions. If you do not get a supportive response, do not give up! Try talking to another trusted adult in your life.

How do I talk to my doctor about depression and anxiety?

There are several different types of health care providers you can talk to about depression. These include counselors, therapists, and doctors like pediatricians, family practitioners, and psychiatrists. Make an appointment to talk about your mental health. Let them know what symptoms you have been experiencing. They will provide a non-judgmental setting for you to express what you have been going through, look for the cause of these feelings, and talk to you about ways to get better.

Why do I need to talk to a doctor about depression and anxiety?

Remember that depression and anxiety are medical issues that should be cared for just like you would for a broken bone or an infection. We ALL have mental health and it is our responsibility to care for our mental health just as we care for our physical health.

I don’t know if I’m ready to tell an adult about my feelings of depression and anxiety. Is there anyone else I can talk to?

Yes! It is very important to tell a trusted adult about any mental health concerns so that you can get help as quickly as possible. However, it is not always an easy thing to do. You can text, chat, or talk over the phone with a trained counselor for FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and it is completely confidential. Trained counselors can help you to create a safety plan for yourself and give advice about how to start the conversation with a trusted adult in your life. Below are several options, all of which are free and confidential.

Your Life Your Voice

  • Text “VOICE” to 20121 to text with a crisis counselor
  • Call 1-800-448-3000 for immediate access to a counselor 24/7
  • Download the My Life My Voice app in the App Store
  • Spanish speaking counselors available and interpreters for >100 languages
  • Email hotline@boystown.org for those who are deaf and hard of hearing
  • Visit their website YourLifeYourVoice.org

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

  • Call or Text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for immediate access to a counselor 24/7
  • Visit SuicidePreventionLifeline.org to chat online with a crisis counselor
  • Spanish speaking counselors available and interpreters for >100 languages
  • Their website has options for those who are deaf and hard of hearing

Reach Out and Connect

When should I seek help?
As soon as possible! Unfortunately, the average delay between onset of mental illness symptoms and treatment is 11 years. High school students with significant symptoms of depression are more than twice as likely to drop out of school compared to their peers. So don’t wait! Seek help as soon as you feel that there might be a problem with your mental health.		 Where do I go to find help for depression?
Start by talking to a trusted adult such as you doctor, parent, legal guardian, relative, teacher, school counselor, or coach. Speaking with your doctor is a great place to start. They can provide help or a referral to a mental health specialist, if needed. There are also local and online support groups for teens struggling with mental health problems. Visit the RESOURCES section on our site to learn about helpful websites, apps, hotlines, and support groups!

Resources

Finding help; where do I start?

Speak to a trusted adult. Make an appointment to see your pediatrician or family doctor. Your doctor can provide help or a referral to a mental health specialist, if needed. You can also visit www.YourLifeYourVoice.org to read about how other teens have dealt with things like depression, anxiety, bullying, relationship issues and more.

Where can I find a therapist or counselor?

You will need to talk to a trusted adult to help make an appointment with a therapist or counselor. If you feel like you need to speak to someone emergently, you can text, chat, or talk over the phone with a trained counselor for FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and it is completely confidential. Trained counselors can help you to create a safety plan for yourself and give advice about how to start the conversation with a trusted adult in your life.

Mental Health Hotline

  • National Suicide Prevention Hotline – Call or Text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
  • Boys Town National Hotline 1-800-448-3000
  • Self-harm Hotline 1-800-366-8288 (1-800-DON’T-CUT)
  • The Trevor Project (LGBTQ) 1-866-488-7386
  • SAMHSA Drug/ Alcohol Hotline 1-800-662-4357 (1-800-662-HELP)
  • Eating Disorder Helpline 1-888-375-7767 (Open M-F, 9AM-9PM CST)
  • Grief Support Hotline 1-650-321-3438
  • Lifeline Hotline 1-800-784-8433
  • National Sexual Assault Hotline 1-800-656-4673 (1-800-656-HOPE)
  • Trans Lifeline 1-877-565-8860

Mental Health Hotline

Free Mental Health Apps

My Life My Voice: mood journal, helpful coping tips, and access to professional counseling via phone, email, chat or text

Daylio: mood tracker to help understand what kinds of activities help improve your mood

Calm: offers guided meditation, sleep stories, breathing programs, and relaxing music

My3: helps create a safety plan for people feeling depressed or suicidal

Breathe2Relax: provides stress management through breathing exercises

MoodKit: helps improve mood through 200 mood lifting suggestions and exercises

Topic Specific Resources

Abuse Resources

National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline

  • Text LOVEIS to 22522
  • Call 1-866-331-9474 (available 24/7)
  • Visit: LoveIsRespect.org for more information

National Sexual Assault Hotline

  • Call 1-800-656-HOPE (available 24/7)
  • Free and confidential
  • Chat online with a counselor at:  RAINN.org

Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline

  • Call 1-800-4-A-CHILD (422-4453)
  • Available 24/7

Anxiety Resources

Visit these websites for information and resources on anxiety:

Teen Line: Teens Helping Teens

Crisis Text Line

  • Text CONNECT to 741741 for free, 24/7 help for anxiety.

okyou.org/about

  • Creative projects for teens with anxiety

Bullying Resources

StopBullying.gov

  • Advise for teens about how to stop bullying

Cyberbullying Research Center

Depression/Suicide Resources

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call or Text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

  • Visit SuicidePreventionLifeline.org to chat online with a crisis counselor
  • Free, confidential and available 24/7
  • Spanish speaking counselors available and interpreters for >100 languages
  • Their website has options for those who are deaf and hard of hearing

Boys Town Hotline:

  • Text “VOICE” to 20121 to text with a crisis counselor
  • Call 1-800-448-3000 for immediate access to a counselor 24/7
  • Free, confidential, and available 24/7
  • Chat with a crisis counselor online at: YourLifeYourVoice.org
  • Spanish speaking counselors available and interpreters for >100 languages
  • Email hotline@boystown.org for those who are deaf and hard of hearing

IMalive.org

  • Visit their website to chat with a crisis counselor
  • Free and confidential

Teen Line: Teens Helping Teens

  • Text TEEN to 839 863
  • Call 1-800-852-8336

Drugs and Alcohol

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357 (1-800-662-HELP)

  • Visit: SAMHSA.gov to help find treatment for substance use disorders

Truth: Smoking, Vaping, and Opioids

  • Text DITCHVAPE to 88709 for 24/7 support

AlaTeen

Eating Disorders

National Eating Disorders Association

  • Visit NationalEatingDisorders.org
  • Chat with a counselor online (Mon-Thur from 9AM-9PM ET, Fri 9AM-5PM ET)
  • Call 1-800-931-2237 to speak with a counselor (Mon-Thur 11AM-9PM ET, Fri 11AM-5PM ET), translation services available
  • Text 1-800-931-2237 to text with a counselor (Mon-Thur 3PM-6PM ET, Fri 1PM-5PM ET), standard text message rates may apply
  • CRISIS TEXT LINE: Text “NEDA” to 741741
  • Free, confidential, and available 24/7


National Association for Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders

  • Visit: ANAD.org for more information for teens about eating disorders
  • Call their Helpline at 1-888-375-7767 (Mon-Fri 9AM-9PM CST)

Indigenous Youth

HealthyNativeYouth.org

  • In Crisis? Text NATIVE to 741741

We R Native

  • Visit: WeRNative.org/my-mind
  • Text CARING to 65664 to ask questions about mental health, relationships, and more.

LGBTQ+

The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386

It Gets Better Project

  • Visit: ItGetsBetter.org to watch uplifting videos from LGBTQ+ youth around the world

Trans Lifeline

  • Peer support phone service run by trans people for trans and questioning peers
  • Call: 1-877-565-8860

Self-Harm Resources

Self-harm Hotline 1-800-366-8288 (1-800-DON’T-CUT)

Youth Living in or Transitioning from Foster Care

Youth Living in or Transitioning from Foster Care

projecteverlast.org

  • Support and resources for teens who are living in or previously lived in foster care
  • Visit their website for support and resources

Click on the link below for a toolkit:

Local Support Groups

More information coming soon.

STAY SAFE: Suicide and self-harm

In 2019, about 19% of high school students seriously considered attempting suicide. Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people age 10-19.

What if I am having thoughts about suicide or hurting myself?
If you are having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, tell a trusted adult right away.

It can be tempting to keep these thoughts private or only tell a close friend. Just remember that these thoughts are a symptom of a treatable medical illness called depression. An adult needs to know about these thoughts so that you can take the first step towards getting help.

Once you have told an adult they may take you to see a doctor or therapist. The doctor or therapist will help you and your support team create something called a “Safety Plan”. This may involve things such as removing dangerous items from your home and creating a list of people you can talk to when you are feeling overwhelmed. They will also help you create a treatment plan which may include therapy and sometimes medication.

If you feel that you are in immediate danger of harming yourself, you should go to the nearest emergency room.

You can also call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline to speak with a crisis counselor for free 24/7. It is completely confidential. There are also options to text or chat online with a crisis counselor.

Below are several options, all of which are free and confidential.

Your Life Your Voice

  • Text “VOICE” to 20121 to text with a crisis counselor
  • Call 1-800-448-3000 for immediate access to a counselor 24/7
  • Spanish speaking counselors available and interpreters for >100 languages
  • Email hotline@boystown.org for those who are deaf and hard of hearing
  • Visit their website: YourLifeYourVoice.org

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

  • Call or Text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
  • Visit SuicidePreventionLifeline.org to chat online with a crisis counselor
  • Spanish speaking counselors available and interpreters for >100 languages
  • Their website has options for those who are deaf and hard of hearing

IMalive.org

  • Visit their website to chat with a crisis counselor
  • Free and confidential
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