Depression

Crying all the time

“D, we gotta go!” my mom calls out. I’m still in bed. No desire to leave. 

“D, come on!” I hear footsteps close in. Bedroom door open. “It’s your grandma’s 70^th birthday.” She hurries to my closet. I roll out of bed. Grab my jeans from the floor. My hoodie from the floor. 

“No way, kid.” She pulls a yellow dress over my head. “Jesus, when did you get so skinny?” she pulls the dress down. It hangs, like the unspoken words between us. “Go wash up and meet me downstairs.” 

I drag my fingers through my unwashed hair. Pop a mint in my mouth. Take each step as though it was my first. Slow. I don’t want to go to Grandma’s party. I don’t want to see them all stare at my ugliness. Whisper about my failings. I drop onto the bottom step. Lean my head against the wall. And cry. 

What is it? 

A mood disorder that makes you feel overwhelmingly low or sad, unable to lift your mood, and can effect how you act and think.  

How do I know? 

• Physical: Low energy, sometimes a loss of appetite, changes in weight, exhaustion
• Emotional: Hopelessness, overwhelming sadness, increased sensitivity, feeling like a failure, self-blame and self-criticism, thoughts of helplessness, anger, and loneliness.
• Behavioural: Negative thinking, crying for no apparent reason, stepping away from social activities and friends, outbursts, sleep problems, substance abuse, self-harm, lack of interest in appearance and hygiene, disengaged from everyday activities, slowed thinking.

Different kinds of depression: Atypical depression, Seasonal Affective Disorder, Depression with Psychosis, Dysthymia. 

Depression by the numbers: 

• Suicide is the second leading cause of death for 10-to-14-year-olds.
• About 9% of teen boys and 23% of teen girls have had a major depressive episode.
• Around the world, depression accounts for 16% of “disease and injury” for youth aged 10 to 19.
• Children with parents who have a history of depression may have a higher chance of becoming depressed.
• LGBTQ teens are six times more likely to experience depression
• Indigenous youth are at significantly higher risk of depression

What could put me at risk for depression?

• genetics
• environmental factors worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic
• hormonal changes
• biochemistry of the brain
• environmental factors, like violence, neglect, abuse, or poverty
• traumatic experience or loss 
• stress
• lack of social and family support
• negative social behaviours (like bullying) 
• other conditions or disorders like ADHD, bipolar disorder, or anxiety

What’s the big deal? 

• a higher risk of self-harm and/or suicide
• risk of substance abuse
• risk of school and/or family issues
• prolonged suffering with depression

What can I do right now?

• address any stressors in your life
• visit your family doctor to find a course of treatment, which may include medication and/or therapy
• seek emergency help or call a crisis line if you’re having thoughts of self-harm
• listen to music: music releases dopamine and endorphins
• get moving: exercise has been proven time and again to help with depression, and in some cases can be as effective as prescribed antidepressants
• set up a routine and goals, check in with yourself by journalling about your emotions
• try to stick to a routine of healthy eating and sufficient sleep every day

Musical notes: Studies have shown that music-based therapy, when added to other treatments, can help people suffering from depression by offering emotional relief and increasing self-awareness.

Cultural strategy: Some cultures describe symptoms of depression with words not commonly used in Western countries, such as heartache or tiredness, or as physical pain. If you are interested in cross-cultural approaches to treatment for depression, talk to a doctor about incorporating cultural strategies to help you cope.

Need help right now? 

Kids Help Phone

Youthspace

Mind Your Mind

Tel-Jeunes

For more information: 

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

Canadian Mental Health Association

The Mayo Clinic

Youth Mental Health Canada

Mental Health Commission of Canada