Top 10 Best Pieces of Advice for Young People with Depression

If you have depression, you're not alone. This list is for those who are facing depression and includes advice for what they're going through.

1. Don't commit suicide

   I don't care how backed into a corner you feel right now. Don't end your life. Just hang on for a little while longer. Ending it all will just upset the people in your life.

   Talk to someone about how you are feeling. Cry as much as you need to. Scream into a pillow if you have to. Showing emotion is not a weakness, as much as society would like to tell you otherwise.

   You can get through this. There are people in this world who really care about you, even if you don't believe it. It's okay to not be okay. You can do this because you are stronger than you think. I believe in you.

   Doing this doesn't do anyone any good. Picture getting a game over in a video game and not being able to restart. That's what happens. It's a one-time thing. Once you do it, you can't undo it.

   So please don't do it. Even if you think there's nobody supporting you, don't do it, because there's a bunch of people willing to support you and help you overcome your situation.

2. Go to a trusted adult for support

   Mr. Mayo shall be my choice for coping with my problems. I mean, I did go to Ms. Young on Pi Day to calm down because a girl was saying crap about me on the exact day that Stephen Hawking died. I was talking about Stephen Hawking, and it made me very furious because it's obviously a day to grieve for someone's loss, especially for a science whiz like me (physics whiz, of course).

   Edit: Both are Special Education teachers. Stop judging me! I come to them optionally, mostly to calm down and to complete assignments for mostly Mr. Mayo. I do tests for Ms. Young, though.

   I've tried to help someone on this site who has serious depression. I know I've had depression, but I at least go through and get through the problems without resorting to drastic measures or anything harmful.

   Being not just an adult, but also a tutor and someone who's seen and helped some depressed students, I believe I can be trusted to help anyone who is struggling with depression.

3. Take your diagnosis seriously

4. Ignore people who say negative things about you

   In a state like this, if someone says something negative to you, try to ignore them. A way to do that is by thinking of happy thoughts or any other positive things. Do not try to attack or hurt them.

5. Invest in healthy lifestyle changes

6. Be compassionate with yourself

   When you have depression, you can feel very negative toward yourself and blame yourself for so many things you've done. Don't be hard on yourself. Always be compassionate with positive things or moments you've at least experienced or done.

7. Talk to God

   God will always help you in times of need. He is always there for you.

8. Accept help, even if you think you don't need it

   This is very important. When you're in depression and someone offers to help you, accept their help. Don't say things like "I'm fine" because deep down, you're not.

9. Think about people who have it worse than you

   A lot of depressed people I know say their lives suck, but given that I've had to struggle with things ranging from gender dysphoria and incredibly low income due to lack of a job, to ridicule on religion and bullying at school, parents urging me to do everything, I know I have a much worse life overall. But at the same time, I want to help the ones who continually say they're depressed by saying how much I've had to struggle, and why I am trying to make sure their life isn't like what I have to deal with.

   What do you want the depressed people to do? Jump around dancing while singing "Yay! The children in Africa are starving!"? Someone having it worse than you doesn't fix the problem you have at the moment.

10. Do something you enjoy doing

    Try doing anything you're interested in or what you like. It can help cure depression.

The Newcomers
11. ?

    Write about your feelings in a journal or diary

12. ?

    Draw or paint to occupy your mind

The Contenders

13. Don't do anything illegal

    Don't drink alcohol, do drugs, or anything like that, or even consider harming yourself. It'll only make you worse. Seek help from others.

14. Ask yourself reflective questions about your thoughts

    When depressed, you may view yourself as a complete failure or a bad person. However, try asking these questions:

    - How do I know whether I'm a failure or not?

    - Was this always true?

    - Are there any expectations?

15. Remember there is hope

16. Spend time with people who make you happy

17. Don't use drugs

18. Don't drink alcohol

19. Do some cleaning to briefly take your mind off things

20. Don't quit school