09/03/2026
Teen Depression: More Than Just Moodiness
From the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) - National Institutes of Health (NIH):
Being a teenager can be tough, but it shouldn’t feel hopeless. If you have been feeling sad most of the time for a few weeks or longer and you’re not able to concentrate or do the things you used to enjoy, talk to a trusted adult about depression.
▪ Do I have depression?
· Do you often feel sad, anxious, worthless, or even “empty”?
· Have you lost interest in activities you used to enjoy?
· Do you get easily frustrated, irritable, or angry?
· Do you find yourself withdrawing from friends and family?
· Are your grades dropping?
· Have your eating or sleeping habits changed?
· Have you experienced any fatigue or memory loss?
· Have you thought about su***de or harming yourself?
Depression looks different for everyone. You might have many of the symptoms listed above or just a few.
▪ How do I get help for depression?
· Talk to a trusted adult (such as your parent or guardian, teacher, or school counselor) about how you’ve been feeling.
· Ask your doctor about options for professional help. Depression can be treated with psychotherapy (also called “talk therapy”), medication, or a combination of medication and talk therapy.
· Try to spend time with friends or family, even if you don’t feel like you want to.
· Stay active and exercise, even if it’s just going for a walk. Physical activity releases chemicals, such as endorphins, in your brain that can help you feel better.
· Try to keep a regular sleep schedule.
· Eat healthy foods.
Source: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/teen-depression
SUPPORT:
💚 If you or someone you care about needs support, Highland Rivers Behavioral Health is here to help. Please call 800-729-5700 to learn more about connecting to services, clinic locations, and the Open Access process for receiving care.
🚨 If you are in crisis, the 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline offers 24/7 access to trained counselors who will provide judgment-free support for mental health, substance use, and more.
💚 Your mental health matters.
About:
Highland Rivers Behavioral Health is one of Georgia’s largest public safety net behavioral healthcare agencies, providing comprehensive treatment, support, and recovery services for adults, children, families, and veterans affected by mental health disorders, substance use disorders, and intellectual and developmental disabilities. With an integrated continuum of services, that includes crisis stabilization, outpatient, residential, community-based services and more, Highland Rivers Behavioral Health operates more than two dozen treatment facilities across a 13-county, 4,700-square mile radius of Northwest Georgia that includes Bartow, Cherokee, Cobb, Fannin, Floyd, Gilmer, Gordon, Haralson, Murray, Paulding, Pickens, Polk, and Whitfield, serving approximately 20,000 individuals annually. Highland Rivers is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) International and is a Tier 1 safety net Core Provider for the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. For more information, visit www.highlandrivers.org.
