Young adults face numerous challenges as they balance a host of responsibilities and try to adjust to rapid changes in their personal lives. For some, these challenges are manageable with a little bit of support. For others, chronic stress can develop into a serious mental health disorder, like depression. The good news? Depression can be treated and managed with the right resources. If you’re currently struggling with depression, let’s take a look at a few resources that will be invaluable in your healing journey.
Embrace teletherapy and get the support you need now.
As a student navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, you’ve witnessed firsthand the transition to a fully digital world. One industry that has flourished in the face of lockdowns is teletherapy. With teletherapy, you’re able to turn to platforms like Charlie Health to get individual therapy on a schedule that works best for you. This eliminates common problems like having to travel far distances to find the right therapist or exhausting available options within a certain radius. Instead, all adolescents have to do to get a solid treatment plan and engage in family therapy or intensive outpatient therapy is turn on their phones and speak to their psychiatrists. If you believe you’re dealing with symptoms of depression, getting online therapy now will allow you to heal and move forward more successfully.
Make certain life transitions less stressful with proper guidance.
There are specific chapters within every teen’s life that can be especially stressful. One item that teens may not know how to cope with is the transition to college. Financial stress, not knowing where you would like to go for higher education, and difficulty understanding admissions can all be sources of anxiety and stress. More importantly, most teens are trying to balance this with their current high school workload and testing like PSATs. The solution? Turn to college counselling websites like Empowerly. College counselors make it easier to understand and navigate the admissions process. Whether you need support with your college essay or financial aid, these professionals are there to guide you every step of the way.
This may not treat your depression directly, but it can help you reduce some of the stressors exacerbating your symptoms of depression.
Work with your parents to create a routine that targets depression symptoms.
Counseling will teach you many coping mechanisms that can help you work through your depression. Once you develop some of these mechanisms (or if you choose to do some research yourself), work with your parents to create a routine that makes you feel more uplifted and positive. This may mean focusing on activities like:
- Setting small goals to achieve throughout your day
- Exercising daily
- Creating a healthy diet
- Getting plenty of sleep
- Developing an external support system
- Trying mindfulness exercises like yoga or journaling
No matter what it is that takes you out of your head and helps you feel happier, integrate more of these activities into your day-to-day life. Even in high school, self-care is important to learn, as it will support you now and later on in life.
Conquering depression can seem like an insurmountable task. However, with the right support and guidance, you can work your way out of it and go on to accomplish everything you set your sights on. That being said, getting started is often the most difficult part of the process. Are you ready to make a change in your life and your mental health? Use the tips above to get the support you need during this difficult time and work toward the quality of life you want to lead!
