Depression

Depression: Depression is a persistent sadness and lack of interest or pleasure in activities that were previously enjoyed. It is normal for teens to feel sad or down at times, especially with hormone changes and the extra pressure of academics, peer pressure, and changing bodies that accompanies the teenage years. But depression can exist when this feeling lasts for most of the day, nearly every day for at least 2 weeks. Depression causes severe symptoms that affect how a person feels, thinks, and handles daily activities; such as sleeping, eating, school or work. A diagnosis of depression includes experiencing depressive symptoms consistently for at least 2 weeks

• Depression Screening Tool

  Take this screening self-test to look for symptoms of depression. 

• Depression Screener

  Take ULifeLine's Depression Screener to assess depressive symptoms and follow the recommendations. 

ACTIVITIES

• Learn About Different Mental Health Disorders

  Click on each individual disorder to learn more about them from TeenMentalHealth.org.

• Parenting Your Teen: A Primer for Parents

  Use this handout to learn about the changes adolescents experience at different ages including mental health concerns.

• Symptom Checker

  The Symptom Checker analyzes your answers to give you a list of psychiatric or learning disorders that are associated with the symptoms you are seeing in your child in English and Spanish.

LINKS

• Find a DBSA Support Group

  The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) is a comprehensive resource for more than 21 million people in the U.S. who live with mood disorders inlcuding education, tools, peer support, and a wealth of inspiring stories.

• Find Information from the Child Mind Institute

  Explore your concerns and challenges and get expert advice and information.

• Questions to Ask When Looking for a Residential Treatment Program

  Learn what questions to ask when search for a Residential Treatment Center (RTC) for your child or teen.

• InsureKidsNow.gov

  Help in locating information about insurance coverage options.

• National Alliance on Mental Health

  Learn about the support groups, education, NAMI walks, and awareness events at your local NAMI.

ORGANIZATIONS

• Depression & Bipolar Support Aliance

  The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) is a comprehensive resource for more than 21 million people in the U.S. who live with mood disorders including education, tools, peer support, and a wealth of inspiring stories.

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

  NAMI started as a small group of families gathered around a kitchen table in 1979 and has blossomed into the nation's leading voice on mental health.

• Child Mind Institute

  The Child Mind Institute is an independent, national nonprofit dedicated to transforming the lives of children and families struggling with mental health and learning disorders.

• Set to Go

  Set to Go is a program from The Jed Foundation (JED) built to help teens prepare for the transition out of high school. Emotional preparedness for life after high school involves five key areas of knowledge and skill development. Set to Go provides a wealth of information about each.

• Family Resources for Remote Learning

  Resources for parents who are suddenly responsible for the home school environment, broken down by age groups, including academic materials, worksheets, activities, videos, games, and more.

• Effective Child Therapy

  Learn about evidence-based therapy for children and teens.

READING & RESEARCH

• Child Mind Institute Research

  Find open source research on children struggling with mental health and learning disorders. 

Depression: Depression is a persistent sadness and lack of interest or pleasure in activities that were previously enjoyed. It is normal for teens to feel sad or down at times, especially with hormone changes and the extra pressure of academics, peer pressure, and changing bodies that accompanies the teenage years. But depression can exist when this feeling lasts for most of the day, nearly every day for at least 2 weeks. Depression causes severe symptoms that affect how a person feels, thinks, and handles daily activities; such as sleeping, eating, school or work. A diagnosis of depression includes experiencing depressive symptoms consistently for at least 2 weeks

• Depression Screening Tool

  Take this screening self-test to look for symptoms of depression. 

• Depression Screener

  Take ULifeLine's Depression Screener to assess depressive symptoms and follow the recommendations. 

• Learn About Different Mental Health Disorders

  Click on each individual disorder to learn more about them from TeenMentalHealth.org.

• Teening Your Parent: A Primer for Adolescents

  Use this handout to learn about the experience of adolescents at different ages and how to talk to your parents about them.

• Become a Peer Support Specialist

  Learn how to become a Peer-Support-Specialist in your state.

• Find a DBSA Support Group

  Find a Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance support group in your area.

• Host a Hope Event

  Learn about the Hopeful Minds project and how to host a Hope Event.

• Track Your Wellness

  Use DBSA's Wellness Trackers and Journals to track moods, symptoms, medications, and substances.

LINKS

• Teen Mental Health Magazine

  A series of 6 magazines designed to provide a quick overview of common mental illnesses for teens. Each resource includes associated supports & resources.

• Rising Scientists Awards & Scholarships

  Find out about college scholarships awarded to high school students who show exceptional promise in research in the fields of psychology, neuroscience or biomedical engineering. 

• Learn About Creating a Teen Empowerment Club

  Learn about Teen Empowerment Clubs at Ericka's Lighthouse.org.

• National Alliance on Mental Health

  Learn about the support groups, education, NAMI walks, and awareness events at your local NAMI.

ORGANIZATIONS

• Depression & Bipolar Support Aliance (DBSA)

  The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) is a comprehensive resource for more than 21 million people in the U.S. who live with mood disorders inlcuding education, tools, peer support, and a wealth of inspiring stories.

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

  NAMI started as a small group of families gathered around a kitchen table in 1979 and has blossomed into the nation's leading voice on mental health.

• Effective Child Therapy

  Learn about evidence-based therapy for children and teens.

• Head Meds at Young Minds

  To give young people straightforward and reliable information about mental health medication from a trustworthy source.

READING & RESEARCH

• Mental Health Fact Sheets

  Download facts sheets on a wide range of mental health issues from Orygen Youth Health.