Annie (AKA Hey Terra!) has been around long enough to have experienced a lot of what Life can dish out. But, it hasn’t been so long that she's forgotten what it's like to be your age. Check out some of the thousands of email questions teens from around the world have sent to Terra. You may learn something useful from her answers:
Depression:
“I think about killing myself all the time.”
Hey Terra,
I've been feeling suicidal for many years. I feel depressed all of the time and think killing myself all of the time. I told my mom but I'm still not seeing a shrink. I've had most of the symptoms I've heard of depression. I'm wondering what should I do?Depressed
Dear Depressed,
Show your mom the letter you wrote to me and show her my answer. Depression and suicide are serious and should NOT be ignored! Hopefully, she will realize that you need help and she will call your family doctor and get a referral to a therapist. This is her responsibility as your mom and I hope, for your sake, that she does the right thing.
In the meantime, here is a toll free number you can call for help:
National 24 Hour Hopeline Network 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433). This will redirect you to a local trained listeners who are available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Other resources can be found in your Yellow Pages under Suicide Prevention.
Or you can check out The InSite. We have a section on depression.
The fact that you wrote to me shows that you want help and you deserve it. I hope you are strong enough to make the call and start getting the help you need.
In friendship,
Terra
Need some advice? Write to Terra.
She'll give you a straight answer you can trust without any lectures.
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