Everyone gets sad. Being sad can happen pretty often. More than half of teenagers go through a period of sadness at least once a month. When you're sad, it feels like it will last forever. The world seems dark and unfriendly. You might feel like you have nothing to look forward to. Many times, you cry, and it's hard to stop. However, your feeling of sadness usually doesn't last very long — a few hours, or maybe a day or two.
When sadness starts to go away, it feels like a big stone is being lifted from your body. If sad feelings go on for too long, it's called depression. Children who have depression may not know it. Often, it's a parent or teacher who notices children's changes.
When depression happens, it's very important for children to receive treatment. When they do, they can get better quickly. Sometimes treatment includes talking to someone who knows all about depression. Sometimes it means taking medicine. Sometimes both of these things are used. If you think you have depression, or you just have sadness that simply will not go away, it is important to talk to an adult about it first. This person can help you find the right kind of treatment. Many cities also have mental health hotlines that are listed in the phone book. There is always somebody who can help.
