This year many people, specifically teens, have felt a sense of deep sadness. In other words they might have been feeling depressed or they actually have depression. Depression is a mental health disorder that makes you feel unhappy as well as having a loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy doing. 

You might be depressed if you feel like you’re not concentrated enough, you’re feeling fatigue as well as worthlessness, insomnia, restlessness, losing interest in things, overeating or appetite loss, and more seriously, having suicidal thoughts or even attempts.  

Having a mental illness, such as depression, can do a lot to a person physically and mentally. On a good note, you can do things that can distract you from feeling a certain way. Participating in school activities, joining sports in and out of school, or even going for hikes can be one of the many ways to distract yourself and maintain a good mentality. These are also healthy ways to cope with depression.  

If you ever feel low to the point of hurting yourself and you need to talk to someone you can call the National Suicide Prevention Line at 1-800-273-8255. That way you can have a safer way of dealing with something difficult rather than you trying to drag yourself down for something that can easily be talked about as well as the feeling can ease away. 

Having a mental health issue is nothing to be ashamed of. All people have the right to feel. It’s always okay to seek help and talk to someone that cares about your existence. You are not known as a weak person for dealing with depression. Nobody deserves to feel worthless or that the world would be better off without them. Your worth matters just as much as you as an individual matters.