Teens Meet Outreach

Depression means a period of unhappiness or low morale which lasts longer than several weeks and may include ideation of self inflicted injury or suicide.

According to the World Health Organisation(WHO), depression is a common illness and it is a leading cause of disability worldwide. More than 300 million people suffer from depression globally.

Depression leads to more than we can imagine if it is not nip in the bud.

Depression comes through subtle ways. It can come through thoughts. Thoughts are mental pictures of words. You act based on what you think on constantly. When you ponder on the same thing for some time, it becomes a stronghold in the mind. So, when a person indulge in depressive thoughts, it can become a controlling factor and influence the person’s decision.

{Read: Understanding Depression}

Having a low self-esteem can also lead to depression.

Low self-esteem mean seeing yourself less than who you are. It can make a person have a wrong sense of worth. So, rather than allowing the proper knowledge of himself to determine his thoughts and actions, the person will be going through life with a wrong perception of himself and live his life in depression thinking that he has no advantage in life.

{Read: For Every Teenager Battling with Low Self-esteem and Inferiority Complex}

Failures in business, academics or career, failed relationships, loss of a possession or a loved one all tend toward depression. Most times, what happen to us are what we have no control over while others are products of our decisions.

Loss of money, time and resources invested can also lead to depression. Also, the reality of not seeing the person we see everyday can bring unhappiness for a long period of time.

{Read: Teen Depression | Major Causes}

Depression does not leave anyone the same. The truth is that depression takes something from us.

Depression leads to unproductivity. A depressed person will do less than what he has the ability to do. The person will find it hard to meet the expected goals in academics, business or career.

It can also lead to loss of job. The employer pays for the effectiveness in carrying out the work but what happens when you are not being effective?

When instead of performing the required responsibility, the time is spent being distressed for a sustained long period of time. It can lead to being discharged from the position.

No one is immune to depression. Our response to it determine the outcome. There are right ways to handle depression.

When depressed, there is a mixture of emotions such as anger, sadness, terror, fear or others. Therefore, it will be helpful to seek a safe medium of expression of the pent-in emotions.

{Read: Teen Depression | Signs and Symptoms}

How to Deal with Depression

1. Cry! Yes, cry!

Scientists have discovered that emotional tears contain stress hormones that get removed from the body. Crying is a means of releasing these potent emotions.

Crying helps to emotionally clear out the sadness and stress. It is not a weakness to cry. It will allow a person to process the source of the depression and keep living with assurance that the future holds something more for him.

2. Talk to someone.

There is someone willing to listen to you. Depression comes with the feeling of loneliness. A depressed person will want to be in solitude.

It is good to let it all out to someone you know will help. If need be, talk to a counselor. Analyzing and dealing with the root cause of the depression is important so that efforts can be made to find out the solution.

3. Recognize your value and purpose of living

This is another way to be victorious over depression. No one is on earth by mistake.

Everyone has a reason for being sent to the world. You can only achieve it when you are still living.

Therefore, you should allow your thought pattern and actions be those that show the relevance of living. Depressive thoughts devalue life. Endeavour that depression has no room in your thoughts.

You can fight thoughts with words. You are made to dominate! You are made to conquer!

That there is still oxygen to breathe in and out shows that God is still committed to you. He has not given up on you. There is a God who loves you so much and He is so near to you.

So, you can express your feelings, fear of the future, fear of the unknown and doubt to Him.

His words says, ‘Casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you’. God knows all there is to your life. He has the roadmap of your life. He is aware of every turns, bumps and potholes that may be on your way.

His supply of breath is one of the many ways shows that He is not giving up on you and what is more is that He will NEVER. You don’t have to give up on yourself too.

As depression literally means to press down. Don’t be someone that life’s challenges press down, rather be a victor that presses down life’s pressure.

You can then stand tall and tell the story of how you overcame.

Live!

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