TeenHealthFX - Answers - Scared Of Help

Depression / Question
Published: August 24, 2007

Dear TeenHealthFX,

Hi, I'm 16 and I find life very hard. I think I may be suffering from depression, but I'm afraid to talk to my relatives. I think that the religion they practice is wrong, and that may be adding to the depression and stress I am feeling now. I can't talk to them because I am afraid they will hate me for not believing they're religion. I am homeschooled and can not speak to a school counselor. I am staarting to feel there is no more point to living, and can't find a reason to go on. Tommorow is NOT a reason, it's one more day I have to suffer, go to work, and live through this all. Please let me know what to do, because I am ready to stop breathing. Signed, Scared of Help

Signed: Scared Of Help

Dear Scared Of Help,

The depression and stress you are feeling may partly be from thinking that the religion your family practices is wrong – however, it may also be from thinking that you would be hated if they knew that you had different religious beliefs from them. Another contributing factor may be that you are home-schooled and feeling isolated from your peers. And the fact is that depression is a mental illness with many contributing biological and environmental factors – so there may be other things as well contributing to the way you are feeling.

If you are worried about your family’s reaction if tell them their religious beliefs play a part in how you are currently feeling, just tell them that you are feeling depressed, stressed out, and are like there is no point to living. Do not go into detail about what is causing you to feel this way, but stress to them the need for you to meet with a mental health professional so you can understand what is causing this and get the help you need to feel better. You could also speak to your primary care physician about how you are feeling so that he/she could advocate for you with your parents to get you the help that you need. Once you get to a therapist, you can begin to develop helpful ways in which to balance being a part of your family considering your different beliefs – basically figure out a way to negotiate what may feel like a very difficult situation where you could be feeling alone and torn.

You may feel that tomorrow is not a reason to keep going, however, another reason may be the people who are out there who want to be helpful to you, who are caring, and who will like and respect you for who you are and for the personal values and beliefs you cling to. What will be helpful will be for you to think about any ways in which you can reach out to some of these people and increase your support system – through extra-curricular activities (sports, art classes, music classes, etc.), mental health professionals, your primary care physician, neighbors, or any other trusted teens and adults you can come in contact with.

If you live in northern New Jersey and need help finding a therapist you can call the Access Center from Atlantic Behavioral Health at 973-247-1400. Outside of this area you can log onto the US Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website for referrals in your area.

If you get to the point that you are seriously considering suicide or are afraid of your impulses then you need to seek help immediately. You can call 911 or go to your nearest hospital emergency room. In northern New Jersey you can also call the crisis hotline from Morristown Memorial hospital at 973-540-0100. Outside this area call the Suicide & Crisis Hotline, 1-800-999-9999, 24 hours, 7 days a week.

You can also contact the Youth Crisis Hotline at 1-800-448-4663, 24 hours, 7 days a week. This hotline is for youths, 17 years of age or younger who are in crisis.

Signed: TeenHealthFX