Dealing with Depression

Have you ever felt like no one understands you, no one gets you? Or like, your problems have no solutions?

Maybe you being bullied and you have no one to talk to about what you going through.

Did you ever feel like you not good enough or like no one truly loves you.

Maybe you don’t have any support from family or friends.

It might be hard to believe, but we have all felt like this at one point in our lives, sometimes more that we would like to admit. Life has highs and lows, at times the lows take longer to get over, or it feels like it won’t end or things will never get better.

It’s very important to know what to do and who you can turn to when you feeling low.

Most importantly you have to know that YOU do matter, and you would not have been born if you did not have a purpose.

Hardships never last forever, and obstacles are put in out path to strengthen us and to push us to be greater and better.

Mental health issues like depression and personality disorders are still not openly discussed, most teens and adults would rather suffer in silence and not open up about depression.

Some people even go as far as saying, just get over it!

This is the wrong approach, If something makes you unhappy or sad or even consider causing yourself harm, you have to make a decision to get help because you are worth it and YOUR happiness is a very big deal!

SYPTOMS OF DEPRESSION

A prolonged sad or empty feeling and the belief that life is hopeless or has no meaning;
A loss of interest in activities that were formerly enjoyed, such as sports, hobbies or social activities;
Withdrawal from family, friends and relationships in general;
Eating disorders, changes in appetite and/or weight gain or loss;
Physical symptoms, such as headaches, stomach aches and intense fatigue;
Insomnia, or its reverse: over-sleeping;
A drop in grades, behavioural problems at school and persistent negativity and self-criticism;
Drug or alcohol abuse, sexual promiscuity or self-harming;
An apparent preoccupation with death and dying

(Source: httpss://www.sacap.edu.za/blog/counselling/symptoms-of-depression-in-teens/ )

Bullying has also become a major cause of depression as it affects one’s self-esteem and feelings of self-worth,

No one has to suffer in silence, you can speak to a professional counsellor and seek help

What happens if depression is ignored or goes untreated?

This could relate in self harm or even worse, suicide.

The extract below is from an article posted on the South African Depression and Anxiety group- https://www.sadag.org

Risk factors for suicide among the young include the presence of mental illness- especially depression, conduct disorder, alcohol and drug abuse; previous suicide attempts; and the availability of firearms in the home. In South Africa 60% of people who commit suicide are depressed

In South Africa the average suicide is 17.2 per 100 000 (8% of all deaths). This relates only to deaths reported by academic hospitals. The real figure is higher

“Suicide shouldn’t be a secret”

“We cannot measure the value of life cut short by suicide. We cannot calculate the impact a person might have had on the world around them or on the people whose lives they may have touched. But through a partnership between survivors, business and community leaders, scientists and dedicated individuals we can vanish this needless tragedy”

What to do if you suspect someone close to you may be contemplating suicide

While some suicides may occur without any outward warning, most do not. The most effective way to prevent suicide is to learn to recognise the signs of someone at risk, take these signs seriously and know how to respond to them.

If you reading this, and you or someone you know has experienced any of these symptoms?

Please call any of these numbers without being charged from a landline

National toll-free suicide crisis line 0800 567 567

You may also call Destiny Helpline for Youth & Students 0800 41 42 43

SMS service (31393) for teens who are in crisis.

Their lines are open 7 days a week from 8am to 8pm