Being a teenager can be tough. There are changes taking place in your body and brain that can affect how you learn, think, and behave. And if you are facing tough or stressful situations, it is normal to have emotional ups and downs. But if you have been overwhelmingly sad for a long time (a few weeks to months) and you’re not able to concentrate or do the things you usually enjoy, you may want to talk to a trusted adult about depression.
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Information about depression for teens
John Pryor, Therapist at Jewish Family Services, explains what depression is, what it may look like and what to do if you are experiencing it.
Learn more about depression from the AACAP
Children and adolescents can experience depression, and studies show that it is on the rise. More than one in seven teens experience depression each year. Read more »
Depression Information & Resources
Sadness Vs. Depression
Depression is more than just sadness. Depression can feel empty, like nothing at all. If someone opens up to you about being depressed, don’t say, “I’ve been sad too!” Listen.
What It Feels Like To Have Depression
A relatable story in which a young man navigates his education under the shadow of his depression, undergoing extraordinary personal growth as he learns to open up about his mental health battle.
What Is Depression?
Great overview of depression. “Almost everyone feels down from time to time… then circumstances change and those sad feelings disappear. Clinical depression is different.”
Depression Understood: What It Is Like To Have Depression
Depression is one of the most common mental health issues and can strike regardless of your race, gender or age. These people reveal what it’s really like to have depression.
What It Feels Like To Have Depression
Depression has sub disorders that help explain the different symptoms, the severity of it, and the scenarios in which it’s presented. This video covers the different types of depressive disorders with their symptoms to further your understanding.
8 Signs Someone is Secretly Depressed
Have you ever heard of the term “smiling depression”, “high-functioning depression” or “hidden depression”? As these names imply, this is when a clinically depressed person tries to keep the depression a secret from others.
The Importance of Human Connection
Kansas City-based therapist Julia Harkleroad explains why human connection is essential for mental health and wellness.
Mindfulness 101
Kansas City-based therapist Julia Harkleroad gives a quick and easy definition of mindfulness and some ideas of how you can integrate it into your life.
Anxiety and Depression in Children & Teens: Information from the CDC
Although fears and worries are typical in children, persistent or extreme forms of fear and sadness could be due to anxiety or depression. Because the symptoms primarily involve thoughts and feelings, they are called internalizing disorders. Read more »
Teen Depression: Info from the National Institute of Mental Health
if you have been overwhelmingly sad for a long time (a few weeks to months) and you’re not able to concentrate or do the things you usually enjoy, you may want to talk to a trusted adult about depression. Read more »
The Teen Brain: 7 Things to Know
Did you know that big and important changes are happening in the brain during adolescence? Here are 7 things to know about the teen brain: Read more »