Choose Life With Hope

We live in a society driven by what others think and expect from us.  We work hard to make ends meet and sometimes even, to do better than our neighbor.  It’s all about the presentation.  But this drive to succeed can be so consuming, it takes all the life out of us, especially if we aren’t succeeding in the way we think others will accept. 

What I’ve described is the world of adults.  Right?  What if I said this is also the world of our young people, our very young people?  Doesn’t seem so likely, does it?  Yet it is also truth.  There was a time, not that many years ago, I would never have spoken (or written) the word ‘depression’ in the same sentence with the word ‘child.’  It seemed so unlikely.

I remember when one little boy I knew was angry, very angry.  At six years old he was mad at the world and went so far as to say he wanted to kill himself.  How is this possible. Did he even know what he was saying. I was stunned!  Yet, even with this information, I didn’t think depression.  I thought only anger.  I didn’t realize anger begets depression.  A young person of just six who has dealt with loss, rejection, upheaval of his world, and more, has a right to be angry—-and perhaps even depressed; and it’s time we as adults, recognize it for what it is.

One girl said she knew she was having issues when she was angry all the time.  She’d kick and scream and throw things, and all the while wonder who she was.  She was lost in the cycle of anger, fear; and yes it took her to a dark place we define as depression.

Just like adults, our children react to their world through intense emotions.  They don’t know how to deal with the way they feel.  It’s scary.  Even if they have a best friend, who’d believe them or understand them, if they couldn’t define it and understand it themselves?  

Sometimes the depression goes on for so long, the deep hole in which they find themselves, seems overpowering. They’ve lost hope and even the desire to live.  These young people who deal with bullying, loss, and rejection, are tormented to the point where they’ve lost all hope.  They feel alone and believe ending it all is the only answer.  

There is hope, however, but they’ve got to choose it, before any behavior which can’t be reversed, happens.  We, as adults, need to recognize the signs and seek help for our youngsters through people trained to pull out the hidden hurts and anger buried deep within the surface of their minds.  

It’s Depression Education Awareness Month.  Have you witnessed signs of depression in a young child or youth?  Christmas will be upon us in just two months.  This time of year seems to intensify depression in young people, just as it does in adults.  Don’t allow the joy of the season to be stolen by depression; even for a moment.  Offer or seek professional help on their behalf; someone they can talk to. (Or for yourself, if needed!) Don’t let depression go untreated.

(An added note: The 6-year-old I mentioned did eventually get help and worked through his anger and pain.)

Photo Credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/man-lonely-hiding-sad-young-alone-1822414/