How do I take care of my whole family?
When one of your family members is affected by depression, your whole family is affected. You have to focus your energy on the one child that is hurting and is in Crisis Mode. This means that sometimes you, your spouse or other children may feel neglected or left out.
Your first course of action is to make sure your teen and your house are safe. Just like on an airline where you must put your oxygen mask on first before you help someone else, you need to make sure you are healthy, as you will not be able to be a good support if you get sick. This includes eating right, sleeping and filling your cup by doing something that you love.
Get help. This can be through friends, support groups, family and/or medical help. Find someone that you can share with so you can decompress and not get too overwhelmed.
Take the “Guilt Monkey” off your back. Depression is not someone’s fault. It is a medical condition that is treatable. It didn’t happen because you are a bad parent or you should have done this or that. There are many causes, but your focus needs to be on how to get the right help for your teen!
Depression is a taboo subject. It is difficult to talk about because people don’t understand it. Please protect your teen, but be honest with family and close friends. Your child will need a lot of support and this is the time to educate your circle about this mental illness. It is not something to be ashamed about. It is a medical condition like diabetes that requires medical treatment.
You have a family and that may include other children. Schedule one-on-one time with them and your spouse. They also may need counseling, as this illness will impact your WHOLE family.
Again, take the “Guilt Monkey” off. You cannot be in all places at the same time. You will fail to meet everyone’s needs. Keep the lines of communication open as it is a very stressful time. Make sure to find times to laugh and do something together like play cards, go bowling, take a walk or play a game. Create some “normal” family times every chance you can.
Your first course of action is to make sure your teen and your house are safe. Just like on an airline where you must put your oxygen mask on first before you help someone else, you need to make sure you are healthy, as you will not be able to be a good support if you get sick. This includes eating right, sleeping and filling your cup by doing something that you love.
Get help. This can be through friends, support groups, family and/or medical help. Find someone that you can share with so you can decompress and not get too overwhelmed.
Take the “Guilt Monkey” off your back. Depression is not someone’s fault. It is a medical condition that is treatable. It didn’t happen because you are a bad parent or you should have done this or that. There are many causes, but your focus needs to be on how to get the right help for your teen!
Depression is a taboo subject. It is difficult to talk about because people don’t understand it. Please protect your teen, but be honest with family and close friends. Your child will need a lot of support and this is the time to educate your circle about this mental illness. It is not something to be ashamed about. It is a medical condition like diabetes that requires medical treatment.
You have a family and that may include other children. Schedule one-on-one time with them and your spouse. They also may need counseling, as this illness will impact your WHOLE family.
Again, take the “Guilt Monkey” off. You cannot be in all places at the same time. You will fail to meet everyone’s needs. Keep the lines of communication open as it is a very stressful time. Make sure to find times to laugh and do something together like play cards, go bowling, take a walk or play a game. Create some “normal” family times every chance you can.
Find more facts...
Depression statistics and information was found in the following:
National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH)
World Health Organization (WHO)
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI)
Suicide Awareness Voices of Education [online] National Mental Health Association,“Fact Sheet: Suicide”
depressionstats.com
teendepression.org
National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH)
World Health Organization (WHO)
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI)
Suicide Awareness Voices of Education [online] National Mental Health Association,“Fact Sheet: Suicide”
depressionstats.com
teendepression.org
