You’re not alone

Resources to help you navigate life’s challenges

Do you need help?

Even if suicidal thoughts and impulses come and go (or even go away), they signal a serious problem and getting help is the best way to get better and heal.

Remember: With time and support, it can get better.

Reach out to someone you feel you can trust.

It might help you feel less alone and overwhelmed if you talk about your feelings.

Make an appointment at the campus counseling center or with a health care provider.

Ask to be seen as soon as possible even if you feel your situation is not an emergency. Don’t put off talking about your struggles – the sooner you find support and guidance, the better.

Connect to an academic advisor or a religious/faith counselor.

Most faith and academic professionals have access to resources to get you help.

What is depression?

Depression is an illness with many causes and many forms. It is a disorder of someone’s moods or emotions; it is not an attitude that someone can “control” or “snap out of,” but it is treatable with counseling and/or medication.
What is depression?

Depression is an illness with many causes and many forms. It is a disorder of someone’s moods or emotions; it is not an attitude that someone can “control” or “snap out of,” but it is treatable with counseling and/or medication.

What is teen depression?
Depression is a condition that affects approximately 5% of children and teens at any given time, according to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. Depression can cause problems such as difficulties in school, difficulties with relationships, and general decreased enjoyment of life. At its worst, depression can lead to suicide, one of the leading causes of death for teens in the United States.
What are the symptoms of teen depression?
  • Sad or depressed mood
  • Feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness
  • Loss of interest in things he or she used to enjoy
  • Withdrawal from friends and family
  • Crying
  • Inability to sleep, or sleeping too much
  • Loss of appetite, or increased appetite
  • Aches and pains that don’t go away, even with treatment
  • Irritability
  • Feeling tired despite getting enough sleep
  • Inability to concentrate
  • Thoughts of suicide, talk of suicide, or suicide attempts
What causes depression?

There are thought to be many causes of depression. There are most likely many factors behind who develops depression and who doesn’t, and these factors are no different for teens.

Traumatic Life Event, such as the loss of a loved one or pet, divorce or remarriage. Any event that causes distress or trauma, or even just a major change in lifestyle, can trigger depression.

Social Situation/Family Circumstances. Unfortunately, there are teens who live under difficult circumstances. Domestic violence, substance abuse, poverty or other family issues can cause stress and depression in a teen.

Genetics/Biology. It has been found that depression runs in families and that there is a genetic basis for depression. Keep in mind, though, that teens who have depression in their family will not necessarily get the illness, and teens without a history of depression in their family can still get the disorder.

Medical Conditions. Occasionally, depression is a sign of another medical illness, such as hypothyroidism, PMS (premenstrual syndrome) or other disorders.

Medications/Illegal Drugs. Some legal, prescription medications can have depression as a side effect. Certain illegal drugs (street drugs) can also cause depression.

What is teen bullying?

Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived power imbalance.

The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Both kids who are bullied and who bully others may have serious, lasting problems.

In order to be considered bullying, the behavior must be aggressive and include:

  • An imbalance of power. Kids who bully use their power—such as physical strength, access to embarrassing information, or popularity—to control or harm others. Power imbalances can change over time and in different situations, even if they involve the same people.
  • Repetition. Bullying behaviors happen more than once or have the potential to happen more than once.
  • Bullying behaviors. Bullying includes making threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone physically or verbally, and excluding someone from a group on purpose.

For more information, check these resources:

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Managing Stress & Anxiety

Learn how to manage your stress, cope with anxiety, and thrive—even when you’re going through challenging times.

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Preventing Teen Suicide

Learn how to recognize the risk factors for teen suicide, work through your depression, and build emotional resilience.

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Stopping Teen Bullying

Learn how to recognize teen bullying, stand up to it safely, and help prevent it from happening in your social circles.

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If you’re having an emergency right now:

Call 911 or a crisis hotline, contact campus police/security, or go to the emergency department at the nearest hospital.

Download Our Teen Survival Kit

A Brighter Day Teen Survival Kit with mental health information resources

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TEXT “BRIGHTER” TO 741741

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Treatment Programs & Centers

Suicide Prevention

Kristen Brooks Hope Center

IMAlive, a Kristen Brooks Hope Center initiative, is the world’s first virtual crisis center where 100% of the volunteers are trained in crisis intervention. Since its launch in 2011, IMAlive has helped thousands of people in crisis. Call the Kristen Brooks Hope Center at 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433) for help, 24-hours a day, 7 days a week.


Evolve Treatment Centers

Evolve Treatment Centersaccredited by CARF and The Joint Commission, offers the highest caliber of evidence-based treatment for teens, 12 to 17 years old, who struggle with mental health, substance abuse, and/or behavioral issues. Evolve offers a full continuum of care in California, including Intensive Outpatient (IOP)Partial Hospitalization (PHP), and Residential Treatment Centers (RTC). For more information and to speak with an admissions counselor, call (877) 650-4598.


Discovery Counseling Center

Discovery Counseling Center is a community based non-profit organization serving the San Ramon Valley for over 50 years. Discovery Counseling Center’s mission is to be the community’s leader in mental wellness by providing affordable, high quality, culturally appropriate and accessible counseling services and programs; offering excellent and highly-regarded training for future mental health professionals; creating greater awareness of the prevalence of mental wellness issues in our community and the importance of early treatment; and serving as the community’s advocate in securing adequate funding and resources for the treatment of mental wellness issues.

Alcohol & Drug Rehabilitation


Evolve Treatment Centers, accredited by CARF and The Joint Commission, offers the highest caliber of evidence-based treatment for teens, 12 to 17 years old, who struggle with mental health, substance abuse, and/or behavioral issues. Evolve offers a full continuum of care in California, including Intensive Outpatient (IOP)Partial Hospitalization (PHP), and Residential Treatment Centers (RTC). For more information and to speak with an admissions counselor, call (866) 205-0862.


AddictionCenter – Substance Abuse Resources

For more information, please contact Hannah Freeman at (800) 586-9670.


Granite Recovery Centers – Addiction & Mental Health Resources

(855) 712-7784

6 Manor Parkway
Salem, NH 03079


The Recovery Village – Teen Drug Abuse & Addiction Resources

(352) 771-2700

633 Umatilla Blvd.
Umatilla, FL 32784

Find a Therapist or Counselor

BetterHelp is the largest therapy platform worldwide. They change the way people get help with facing life’s challenges by providing convenient, discreet and affordable access to a licensed therapist. BetterHelp makes professional therapy available anytime, anywhere, through a computer, tablet or smartphone.

NEED TO TALK?

TEXT “BRIGHTER” TO 741741

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NOTICE OF NON-AFFILIATION AND DISCLAIMER

These links are provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement, a recommendation, or a favoring by A Brighter Day Charity of any of the services or opinions of the corporation or organization or individual. A Brighter Day Charity is not affiliated, associated, authorized, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with any of these organizations, or any of its subsidiaries or its affiliates. A Brighter Day Charity bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of the external site or for that of subsequent links. Contact the external site for answers to questions regarding its content.

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