Teen depression

Dear Erin,

Please seek help as soon as possible. It sounds like you "slit your wrists" in an effort to stop the pain and hurting accompanied by the depression. When you are depressed there seems to be no way out, but there is! You "try to tell people" in an attempt to get them to help you. Unfortunately, many people just don't know what to do to help.

Help is available!

• PLEASE call 911 rather than hurting yourself. They may hospitalize you until you are stable. Don't worry that they will keep you "locked up." They will simply get the help that you need and medical professionals deal with depression daily.
• There is normally a Crisis Hotline phone number listed in the telephone book or available through directory assistance. They can give you many options for help in your area. Or call the United States Suicide Hotline at 1-888-784-2433. It's a toll free call. That's 1-888-suicide which might be easier to remember.
• Talk to a school counselor, teacher, parent, friend, etc... someone that can help you find help.
• Talk to your doctor who may, after an examination, suggest medication that can relieve your current pain and suffering.

  There may be things going on in your life that you feel you have no control over or a medical problem that can be remedied. Whatever the reasons may be, you owe it to yourself to explore other options before hurting yourself. You may have heard this already, but suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Regardless of the reason, there are issues that need to be addressed for you to regain control over your life.

  Telling someone is the first step in getting the help that you need. Depression is nothing to be ashamed of and you are not alone. A professional can help you sort out these problems and offer appropriate options. Try it! You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

  I would like to ask you to do me a favor. Promise that you will get help and follow through. And please let us know how you are doing. Let us know that you've found someone to help you through this and that you won't try to hurt yourself any more. Thank you in advance for doing me this favor.

  Take care,

  Ramona Wesling