Teen Depression: What Parents Need to Know and How to Help

Teen Depression is an incredibly nuanced and complex issue. Here's what to look for and how you can help.

Teen Expert Josh Shipp: Helping adults understand teens and teens understand themselves.

Focus: Teen Depression: What Parents Need to Know and How to Help

[AnetiXa]

When I was 16 years old I was diagnosed depression. My parents completely didn't know what to do all the more so because they really didn't know me From a perspective of the time I think, that best whatever parents can do to be good observers and even if for us (of young people) it doesn't appeal to react. Depression isn't simple illness, but the thanks of the help of family and friends it is possible to leave it.

[kalaniprice]

You’re right. Being a teenager does feel like you’re on the edge of the world.

[bonniedixon]

My daughter is 12, and told her principal yesterday that shes sad. I feel like I'm failing but also a little mad, bc I have given my life to my 2 children. I give give give and do do do. I wish she got how much I love her and how I would do anything to make her happy. Waiting on the bus now so we can talk, but being a parent is so hard.

[davidregina]

I have had self diagnosed depression because I’m to scared to tell anyone because I was always told “your to young, you have nothing to depressed about” “you have to be a man and fight it” and it hurts.

[slozor]

I have depression and occasional anxiety.

And my mother says that It's hormones.
But It isn't.

[smalltown]

People who get help are far more ahead in life. he is so right 95% of the people could gain from help.

[tylercunningham]

I'm glad to hear you say the word "perceived", what may sound stupid and not matter to one person can be a HUGE trigger for another person. Certain actions or events that occur everyday without second thought in one persons life can be life changing for somebody else.
How do you support someone?

[amberfoster]

I am in the process of trying to organise weekly meetings for parents with children/teenagers with bipolar/mental illness to meet and talk. It can be a lonely and isolating situation for a parent as most people, even those who love the child, simply do not understand and you can't let people shame your child ❤️

[mariocean]

unfortunately most professionals just want to prescribe drugs as an easy fix. let's stop numbing them and get to the root!

[simpaticonize]

I like the succinct and no frills presentation of his and how comforting they were at the same time. Thank you.
Every word went right through me as a struggling parent.

[catherinenekoro]

I would really like to tell my mother how I feel, but when I want to tell her I remember how she reacted when I told her I was cutting myself because I was feeling very down.
I don't want to fill this with my story, but I would like to meet people that understand me. :)

[youtubergigi]

it's making me physically ill..I just need to get out of here.

[Canarnar]

I want to help my girlfriend so badly buts it’s chemical and there is nothing I can do about it. The amount of pain that bolts through my body is beyond anything I’ve ever felt. I have no idea what to do.

[vincentjoseleron]

I always tell my parents that i have depression but they always tell that i am just making it up laughing at me telling that i am insane of some sort so i thanked them that my deression got worse but its ok even they don't notice me crying hiting myself with my hand, bashing my head to the wall, standby rope and all of that i am fine distracting my depressed self with internet realy helps

[smalltowngirlbigcityheart]

Please reach out to an adult you trust and tell them how you feel. Your life is the most important thing that matters. You can get help and depression is manageable.

[oceanstaiga]

My parents didn't notice, sent me to a therapist for other stuff and when I told about depression they just wanted to put me on drugs so i didn't go back again.
I didn't get the right help and support and now in my 20s I'm still stuck with depression and it seriously impacts my life.. sometimes I wonder how it would have been different if I had the right help early on.

[propheticnexus]

I tried and tried and tried to get my parents to understand this demon. They won't understand so I cut them out of my personal issues and tell my friends. I lay my emotions on the floor and kick them away so i don't feel anything. I'm currently writing a trilogy about the demon inside of us. It helps but it won't fix it forever. One day It'll get so bad I won't be able to get up fro my bed. I've already faced that and tried to stay home from school. I can't... I walk around the school like a zombie and sleep during class. No one knows what I go through. You guys need to keep fighting. Cling on to the only hope you have. The hope I have is to publish my books. I cling onto it. It helps me to keep my thoughts away from death but sometimes self harm is the only option. I hope you guys can be strong. For me, for the people around you and for your future.

[Rome]

Ive had anxiety and depression since I was 11.. My parents couldnt understand what was wrong with me . My father freaked out one evening and told me to snap out of it or I would end up in the psych ward . I tried very hard to think positive and " snap " out of it but I couldnt . Now I realise I have a chemical imbalance .

[chunghanwon]

Bị nghiện bài này từ thời Bảo Thy, ko ngờ lại có ngày được nghe idol mới trong lòng mình Đức Phúc cover lại. Cảm ơn em ĐP vì đã cover lại lắng đọng cảm xúc như vậy

[zombiemolly]

Dad told him he was bad. Kids got punished for eating carrots wrong (claimed they were eating them passive aggressive, gave them punishment, and when they said they weren't eating their carrots passive aggressive they were given more punishment). Punished for breathing out of mouth ( they have allergies and have difficulty breathing sometimes. Punished for playing Minecraft at Mom's house by Dad. (It was ok with Mom). Couldn't take dog for walk (neighborhood was fine). Couldn't play with little girls across the street (they attended their chuch). ... on and on and on....