Winter Blues
By Jennifer Thorpe
“There are wounds that never show on the body that are deeper and more hurtful than anything that bleeds.”― Laurell K. Hamilton, Mistral’s Kiss
It’s a new year and maybe you barely felt like you made it through the holidays. Social norms say we are to be celebratory and excited. Even with Covid-19, creative ways to ring in the new year were sought after.
What about you? How are you? Have you felt the need to not take off your mask? Or maybe you have shown that you are hurt and it has gone unnoticed or it’s been dismissed.
Depression is so misunderstood. Many people think it is a sadness that one will just get over. If you are experiencing depression, it is much more. Depression is common and it is important to remember no two people are impacted the same way. It’s an “extreme feeling of sadness, pessimism, and despondency that interferes with daily life” (APA, 2020). One may find themselves having poor eating habits or sleeping habits, lacking energy or motivation, having difficulty concentrating, or isolating themselves from social activities. This is true for adults and teenagers.
If you are feeling depressed, please know you matter and there are people who want to listen to you! You are loved, you are valued, and there is help!
If you are parent, caregiver, or loved one of someone who is depressed - it is vital you make efforts to understand depression and get help. Depression is a treatable mental health condition. There is a role for professional help to play that loved ones cannot fulfill. By you seeking to understand, you will do more good and less harm.
Below are some resources to help begin the path to healing or to get back on that path:
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
National Hopeline Network: 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)
If your depression is leading to suicidal thoughts, call the National Hopeline to connect with a depression treatment center in your area. The Hopeline also offers a live chat feature for those who don’t want to (or are unable to) call and can dispatch emergency crews to your location if necessary.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
This national hotline is another valuable resource for people whose depression has escalated to suicidal or other harmful thoughts. Their network of crisis centers provide emotional support and guidance to people in distress and are also available via a chat service and a special hotline number for the hearing impaired: 1-800-799-4889.
National Youth Crisis Hotline: 1-800-448-4663
Resources:
American Psychological Association (2020). https://www.apa.org
https://www.samhsa.gov
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org
https://hopeline.com