Dear Society,

I wish snapping out of my depression was as simple as you think it is. Do you think I enjoy feeling this way? I miss being able to do things someone my age is supposed to do, without having to worry if I’m going to have an anxiety attack, or have a wave of depression wash over me. I know everyone is starting to worry about me but they have nothing to worry about. The only reason I seclude myself from most people is because I don’t want to deal with them asking me ridiculous questions or asking me things about depression and having it come off as rude. I’m not completely alone though, I do confide in a couple of friends, but I don’t like to feel like a bother so I only talk to them about it occasionally. I hate when my depression feels like a burden to others because they are constantly worrying if I’m going to do something. What I need everyone to understand is, just because I suffer from depression, does not mean I’m going to harm myself. Read the previous sentence a couple more times until it registers in your head. I really wish I understood why I was so depressed. I understand that my parents gave me everything I ever asked for, and in your eyes, I have no reason to be depressed. What you need to understand is that depression isn’t just a case of the blues, it’s a mental illness. No matter how much money my parents throw my way, materialistic things can’t change my mental state. I understand this is all confusing to you, but to blame it on my teenage years and assuming that I’m using it as a cry for attention is a little ridiculous. As for your comment about real men don’t get depressed, did you know that even though depression is only half as common in men than in women, men are likely to suffer more because they tend to stay silent about it due to the high image society holds for them? We often don’t get the treatments we need for our depression because we tend to blame our actions on things like fatigue. Every negative thought that you put into our minds makes it harder to seek the help we need. I really hope you change your views on depression

Sincerely,

A Depressed Teenage Boy