Depression and Suicide
Depression
Feeling depressed after a loss or a trauma is normal. Everyone feels intense sadness at one time or another. Whether it be grief over the loss of a loved one, or the stress of daily setbacks, sadness is a healthy part of life. Clinical depression is very different from normal sadness, even intense grief. Helpguide.org describes clinical depression as something that:
"...engulfs your day-to-day life, and interferes with your ability to work, study, eat, sleep, or have fun. The feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, and worthlessness are intense and unrelenting, with little, in any, relief."
If you feel that you or a loved one may be suffering from clinical depression, or if you have questions, click here.
Suicide
"Suicide is not chosen; it happens when pain exceeds resources for coping with pain.”
Sometimes the pain of depression can be overwhelming. If long-term depression becomes too much to bear, and you have thoughts of ending your life, you are not alone, and there is help. To learn more about how to cope with thoughts of suicide, click here.
If you don't know who to turn to, or if you need IMMEDIATE relief, call:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
National Hopeline Network: 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)
24 hours a day, seven days a week, free and confidential
Just the Facts
For youth between the ages of 10 and 24, suicide is the third leading cause of death. Approximately 4,500 young people lose their lives to suicide each year. For more facts about youth suicide, click here.