Sex, Etc. -- I feel depressed all the time, and it's...

I feel depressed all the time, and it's getting worse. Sometimes, I cut myself, and I've even thought about suicide. Can you help me?

It is SO important that you have reached out to us. Because we happen to care very much about what happens to you, even though we’ve never met! It’s really normal to feel sad sometimes or really overwhelmed by what you’re dealing with as a teen. But hurting yourself, or even considering killing yourself, is never, ever the answer.

If you seriously feel like you might try to kill yourself, please do one of the following:

Call 911. 911 is for emergencies. And if you are thinking about killing yourself, it’s an emergency. The folks at the other end of the line will be able to get you help immediately, so don’t hesitate to pick up the phone and call.

Call 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433) or 1-800-HIT-HOME (448-4663). These are 24-hour, toll-free hotlines that are staffed by trained counselors. Sometimes we feel really bad and think that it would be better if we just didn’t feel anymore. Some people think that translates into suicide, but suicide is NEVER the answer. So call one of the hotlines, and talk to a caring counselor to figure out what your other options are. (If you need a different type of hotline, check out our list here.

Get to a counselor or therapist. Before you even get to the point of thinking about hurting yourself, try to get to a trained professional who can help you deal more effectively with everything you have going on. You can ask your parents to connect you with a counselor or a therapist, and you don’t necessarily need to tell them why you want to see someone. You can just tell them that there’s a lot on your mind and you think that talking with someone could help. You can also find a counselor by talking to your school counselor or asking him or her for a referral to another counselor. Or try this Web site to find a professional counselor near you.

Now, hurting yourself without trying to commit suicide is also something you need to take action on and stop. Some people try cutting as a way to feel better and have ended up cutting too deep. They end up trying to or successfully committing suicide without even meaning to.

You need to know that you are not alone in cutting or hurting yourself. And we are not alone in saying that it needs to stop. There are self-injury and self-mutilation Web sites with people telling their own stories. But, as they all say themselves, these sites cannot substitute for the help of a trained mental health professional.

Remember, you took a brave step forward by just visiting our Web site and clicking on this question. This means that you can take the next step—reaching out to someone close to you, so you can start to feel better.

Your Comments

RE: im confused :s

Posted by: DanR on Nov 11th, 2008 2:02pm

I'm sorry to hear that you are feeling this way. Have you
tried to talk to a trusted adult(a
parent/teacher/counselor)? I think that would be a great
place to start. I'm glad you found our site and I hope that
you will use our forums and check out some of the stories on
here. I think you will quickly see that you are not the only
person who feels this way. If you are ever feeling really
bad, don't be afraid to call the National Suicide Prevention
Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Hang in there!

im confused :s

Posted by: sparkii on Nov 10th, 2008 3:25pm

well ever since around 2 yrs ago ive been feeling really
low, and everytime i do something wrong or get shouted at
its like i go into a daydream and than i start getting
really angr and start thinking about all the sad things
that have hapend what i cant change and i find that recently
its been getting worst especially when im home alone. i dnt
really ave friends coz i find it reaally diffecult to
socialise. im shy and i was just wondering if anyone has
ever felt like me and what i can do :(

RE: I need help

Posted by: DanR on Aug 18th, 2008 11:08am

Unfortunately, there is no way to guarantee that your
boyfriend will not freak out if he sees your cuts. If he did
freak out, it would probably be because he cares about you
and doesn't want to see you hurt like that. Hurting yourself
is never the answer, so I hope that you will talk to someone
who will help you deal with all the things you are going
through right now (including how to talk to your BF). Check
out this list of hotlines you can contact:
http://www.sexetc.org/page/crisis_hotlines.

cutting..

Posted by: christiangirl on Aug 16th, 2008 11:52pm

i started cutting myself when i was 12. i have scars on my
wrists and thighs. the last time i cut was about 6 months
ago. when i would cut it seemed like all my problems were
put aside. i hardly ever feel like cutting anymore. it helps
me relieve stress when i talk about it but i feel like my
best friend is really creeped out by it, but i cant really
blame her. she hangs out with the "popular" people and none
of them go through stuff like this. so i write down my
thoughts to relieve stress.

I need help

Posted by: x-gothic-angel-x on Aug 16th, 2008 8:03pm

I'm 14 and have been depressed for around 3 or 4 months now.
I got so depressed one day that i just grabbed a pair of
blunt scissors and cut my hip bt they wouldnt cut me so i
jst scratched the same place over and over again and i feel
happier whn i think about doin it again. Im not that
bothered about the fact i do it...i jst really wanna be able
to tell my boyfriend of 6 months about it before he sees the
scar himself. How can i do that without him feelin awkward
with me? I cant lose him.

my advice 2u guyz :]

Posted by: itZaNAdudEz on Aug 8th, 2008 12:26pm

i used 2cutt myself a lot. i have lots of scars on my
arm/wrist scars dat im not proud of. cuz many ppl look at
us& right away judge us. either labeling us as emo. or weak.
its sum wut true but we cnt let ourselves get drowned into
these labels or let our selves live life unhappily. i think
every1 has a real purpose in life. &every1 is strong. u have
2find wut makes u happy. u have 2appreciate whatever bad
things u ddnt do.&4get about ur weaknesses&remember ur
strength. i no longer cutt myself

OMG

Posted by: CarlettaRenee on Aug 7th, 2008 10:07pm

i thought about killing myself but i never really try to do
it like cutting myself or any thing like that. i wus juss
thinking like nobody never ever cares about me and they
didnt even like if i acuallty died even ma own famliy!! all
i thought about is god and how he is watching over
me..............

RE: Im scared!

Posted by: DanR on Jul 24th, 2008 1:25pm

I am so glad that you found our site and that you are
letting us know what is going on. I am sorry your friend
told you to get over it. Some people do not understand how
serious depression can be, and how it is not something you
can just "get over". As you probably saw above, there is a
hotline that you can call and talk to someone who is more
experienced in this field. It is important that you do talk
to someone soon as harming yourself is never the answer.
Hang in there!

Im scared!

Posted by: Kacy on Jul 23rd, 2008 3:49pm

im self-harming myself but im 2 scared to let people around
me know. ive told one friend but dhe just told me to get
over it and now i just want someone to help me plz!

please don't hurt yourself

Posted by: dustinbrown96 on Jul 9th, 2008 7:12pm

ive seen alot of comment saying they are going to huurt
themselves but they don not need to do that you should call
up a friend who cares and tell them whats wrong or a family
member.

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