Depression / Question
Published: November 25, 2003
Dear TeenHealthFX,
Hi. I am so scared b/c I don't know what I am going to do. It's like I don't know who I am or what I should do. I don't know anything anymore. I used to always know the answer or that if I hugged my cute lil puppy everything would somehow be okay. I find comfort in music and in being with my friends. But I moved and the music doesn't seem so much of help anymore. Only my brother (whom I never met and who I am not blood related to) knows me and has helped me. I still find myself wanting to die or find a way to make my mind unable to concentrate or think about my problems. I am so scared and don't know what I should do. Please somebody help me; just tell me what to do.
Signed: I Don't Know Who I Am or What To Do
Dear I Don't Know Who I Am or What To Do,
It sounds like you have a lot going on in your life. Wanting to die is a warning sign of depression.
TeenHealthFX encourages you to tell your parents how badly you have been feeling and give them the opportunity to help you get professional help. Most parents want their children to be happy and healthy and do not want them to suffer. If you tell your parents and they do not believe you or get you help, find another adult that you trust - like a teacher, a counselor or school nurse. You can also talk to your doctor. Your parents or other adult should be able to get you the professional help that you need. You also mentioned that your brother has helped you in the past, so can you get in touch with him again? (We are curious, if you have not met him, how did you meet? How do you communicate?). If he is older, perhaps he can help you talk to your parents.
A mental health professional, like a therapist or psychiatrist, can talk with you about feeling depressed and suicidal and can help you to figure out what is going on and what can be done to help you feel better. Sometimes it is talk therapy, sometimes medication and many times, it is a combination of both.
If you live in northern New Jersey, you can get a referral to a mental health professional by calling the ACCESS Center at Atlantic Health at 888.247.1400. Outside of this area, log on the SAMSHA website to find a referral to therapist.
If you think you are going to hurt yourself, get help immediately by dialing 9-1-1. You can also dial the Crisis Hotline at 800.999.9999. In northern New Jersey you can call the Morristown Memorial Crisis Hotline at 973.540.0100.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
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