A dark, heavy creature latches itself onto the back of hundreds of teens. Weighing down on us every single day. It’s like falling down into a dark abyss, losing the hope of living every second we fall deeper. Finding the motivation and the will to keep going is the equivalent of finding a needle in a haystack. It’s somewhere in there, but very hard to find.

Depression is an uncontrollable burden among teens. It never comes alone. Depression is accompanied by anxiety, loss of appetite, irritability, restlessness, or even extreme exhaustion according to CDC.gov.

Online school has not only made learning more difficult, but it has also created this large barrier that isolates kids with loneliness. Our situations at home may not be the easiest.

In addition, politics has made us feel like we are being oppressed again. People of dark skin complexion are being targeted because of their skin color. Members of the LGBTQ+ community are at risk of losing their right to marriage. Muslims are shunned by society because of their religion. Women are belittled because of their gender. How could we be happy in a society like this?

Everyone copes differently. Some get by through dark humor, others hide it behind a smile and then fall apart the moment they’re alone, and some can’t bear it anymore. Suicide is the second leading cause of death of people between the ages of 10-34 as of 2018. 48,000 people nationwide died by suicide the same year (nimh.nih.gov). 48,000 may seem like just a number, but it’s 48,000 hearts that have stopped beating. 48,000 lives that have cut their life too short and 1 in 6 students have thought about suicide (nea.org). Life is hard, but it does not mean that surrendering to troubled times is the answer.

If you know someone who may be battling depression, tell them you’re proud of them for waking up or eating. It’s the little things that truly make a difference. Reassure them they’re not alone, constantly. Some healthy treatments recommended by healthguide.org include:

-Exercising

-Nutritious meals/ snacks

-Stress reduction

If you see the signs in a friend or loved one, provide the comfort, support, and understanding they need. Help them find the professionals they need. You are not alone.

Click here to see more safe coping mechanisms, or call/text the number listed below for help.

National Prevention Suicide Hotline: 1-800-237-8255