Letters

Depressed - How to Tell parents?

Dear One,
 

WE GOT THIS LETTER FROM A TEEN:

I think I am depressed...I don't know how to tell my parents...I want to die, but I am afraid of death...I want to get help...but, my mom would start like yelling at me and saying that I only want attention...and my dad, well, he's like never home...so anyway, what are some ways I can tell my parents?

RESPONSE:

You've taken a first great step by looking at this site on the Internet. I have a friend named Darrin who once struggled with depression and wanted to die. He tried and failed and today he's so glad. You see, everything looked so bleak then that he could never imagine that things would change, but they did. Life got better, way better, but the first thing he had to do was to be real about he felt. You did that with us today. Thank you.

It's so important that you tell your parents, but if you feel as if they won't understand, maybe you could talk to someone first who can help, who knows the right things to say and who might even help you find the words to tell your mom and dad.

These are some options:

One is your youth pastor or pastor. Be honest with them. If they don't listen, go to someone who will that is an adult and someone that you trust, like a youth sponsor, school counselor, Sunday school teacher. If they don't listen as they should, let them know that you are serious, that you're really struggling and need help to make it through this tough time.
Another resource is a suicide crisis hotline. Here are three different numbers.
Suicide Helpline
1800 - SUICIDE

Suicide prevention hotline
1-800-827-7571

National Suicide Hotline:
1-888-248-2587

I believe in you. I know for certain that God loves you, and that your struggle is important to him.

Suzie

More Thoughts: Do you go to church anywhere? If not, find a church. Talk to the pastor and tell him how you are feeling. But most of all, keep doing the next thing. I'm not promising that you will not have losses, but keep praying, seeking God, and His direction. Keep your head high in this storm and one day, it will pass. The sun will shine again. And this dark period of your life will be behind you. There is hope Jeremiah 29: 11 - 13 says "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord,...plans to give you hope and a future.... You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

Keep seeking, keep walking, and God will see you through this.

In the meantime, please go get a check up from your doctor and tell him how you are feeling. If you think you are at risk for suicide, please go to the hospital or call 911. Do not do anything to harm yourself, you are going to make it. A really good book on this is Where is God When it Hurts by Phillip Yancey. God is going to see you through this dear one. Please, please do not do anything to hurt yourself.

You are going to make it. I'm praying for you. God is going to see you through this dear one. Please, please do not do anything to hurt yourself. Wait on God. In the meantime, if thoughts of suicide get too heavy, go to the hospital or call 911. Call your doctor as well.

To read my story, click here.
 

Here's what I recommend to you:

1. Ten.Days.of.Encouragement.SIGN.UP!
2. We need other believers for encouragement. Find a church home. See if you can find a small Bible study of people in your age range. Call some of the bigger churches in your area and see if they have anything to offer for your age group. This could be a home Bible study or a Sunday school class.
3. Listen to inspirational music. There's a lot of Christian music in different styles. Maybe you've got a great Christian radio station in your area or maybe you can find one on the web that plays a style of Christian music that speaks to you like http://www.klove.com/listen/. You can also go to a Christian bookstore and listen to their CDs until you find something that helps you to feel worshipful.
4. Read the book, Purpose Driven Life. This is a great Bible study and you need to have the Word in your life every day.
5. Take time to read the Bible. If you don't have a Bible, there are versions available on the web that you can download.

Don't do anything to harm yourself. You are so loved. Please give your situation time, please allow God time to move. He may be waiting for you to give in to Him, to say, God I will trust you, no matter what. Try trusting God and see what will happen.

Also, please go in for a medical checkup and tell your doctor about how you feel emotionally. Your doctor may have medications that can help you get over this 'bump' in the road.

Also, I highly recommend counseling. You may find a pastor in your church or other local church or some other professional who will understand and help you with your struggles.

WE ARE PRAYING FOR YOU!

Blessings,
Linda

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