Feeling sad or hopeless Losing interest in things you enjoy Feeling lonely Experiencing changes in eating or sleeping habits Feeling tired for no clear reason Having trouble concentrating Having thoughts of hurting or killing yourself
It will probably make you feel less lonely if you share your story with someone. Give yourself a pep talk and remind yourself that it is okay to ask for help.
You can jot down main points like “scared”, “sad”, “emotional” or you can try writing down what you want to say word for word. Even if you don’t want to write everything down, try picking an opening line. It could be “I’ve been really struggling lately and I think I’m depressed. I’d like to talk to you about that if that’s okay with you. ”
If you’re young, you might want to tell your parents. In that case, two people are fine! Or you could pick one parent to start with. If you’re in a relationship, it might be a good idea to tell your partner so they can support you. Anyone that you trust is a good choice. This could be a relative, friend, mentor, coach, teacher, or even your doctor.
You can also schedule the time in advance so that you know the other person will be available. Try to avoid really busy times, such as when your parents are cooking dinner or your partner is trying to head out to work.
You could say, “Will you come into my room and talk to me for a bit?” You could also say, “I have something I’d like to tell you. Can you meet me at the coffee shop on the corner?”
For example, you could say, “Do you remember when we watched ‘’Garden State’’ together? I’ve been going through something similar. ” If you’re both Harry Potter fans you could start by saying, “You know how Harry feels when the Dementors are around? I’ve been feeling emotions like that recently. ”
You could say, “I am just exhausted. It is hard for me to even find the energy to get out of bed in the mornings. ” Maybe you could also describe other feelings. Try saying, “I feel sad all of the time. I’m not even able to laugh at my favorite shows anymore. ” Giving specific examples will help the other person to understand what you’re going through.
They might ask how they can help you. Be clear about what you need. Say, “Maybe we could meet each week to take a long walk? That would be something for me to look forward to. ” If they ask something that feels too personal, you can just say, “I really don’t want to talk about that. Thanks for understanding. ”
Hopefully, they ask to support you. If they offer help, allow them to be supportive. Even getting together to watch a funny movie might help you feel a little better.
The next person you tell can be anyone you want. Consider a family member, trusted friend, teacher, or coach.
Choose someone else to tell and hope that they are more understanding.
You can also try calling a chatline, such as The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). You can reach them at 1-800-950-NAMI. [12] X Trustworthy Source National Alliance on Mental Illness Grassroots mental health-focused organization providing resources, support, and education for those affected by mental illness Go to source
