TeenHealthFX - Answers - Family Brainwashed That I'm Going to Be a Journalist.

Suicide / Question
Published: December 31, 2008

Dear TeenHealthFX,

i'm in my second year of college. i'm having trouble with my major. i'm failing the classes designated towards the major. the problem is my family is brainwashed that i'm going to be a journalist. i'm not sure i can do it. i'm not doing that well in those classes and my time is running out. plus, my job is taking over my life because my family is broke and we need the money. i don't know what to do. my sister is in college too and it pisses them off that we can't commute together because of different schedules. it's not my fault that she wants to be a nurse and that all her classes don't match with mine! i feel so depressed i just want to drop out of college and kill myselff.

Signed: Family Brainwashed That I'm Going to Be a Journalist.

Dear Family Brainwashed That I'm Going to Be a Journalist.,

You seem to be experiencing a significant amount of stress in your life and it is having a negative effect on your mood and your thought processes. Wanting to kill yourself reflects how much you are struggling but this is not the answer to your problems. Whatever your parents are feeling right now would be insignificant compared how they would feel if they lost a daughter.

Clinical depression is a serious illness that can affect the way we feel about ourselves and can be accompanied by thoughts of suicide. However, depression is treatable with medication, therapy or frequently a combination of both.

It is hard for TeenHealthFX to determine if being a journalist is something that you have dreamed of becoming or it is something that you are doing to please your parents. If this is not a career that you desire then it would be understandable why you struggle in these classes and feel like you are letting your family down.

You should talk to your parents and let them know how you have been feeling. Take time to look at the situation together and see if there are possible alternatives that would ease the burden on everyone. Your parents being angry because you and your sister cannot commute together would seem to reflect their frustration over the financial situation at home. You could speak with an academic advisor at your college to discuss your major and if there are ways that you can get additional financial help. Sometime cutting back on the work load will give you some breathing room until you situation improves. The important point here is that there are many options to consider and suicide is not one of them.

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

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. You can also contact your insurance company to get a list of in-network mental health providers or check with your school’s wellness center to get a list of referrals in your area.

Signed: TeenHealthFX