Expert information and resources to help teens and young adults navigate Iife's challenges
Get Help Now
If you or someone you know needs help immediately, take one of the following actions
Call 2-1-1
for Immediate Emergency Services
Call 800-273-8255
for the National Suicide Prevention Hotline
CRISIS SUPPORT
Alameda County
Contra Costa County
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HOPE to 20121
Recommended Resources
For Teens
If you are having thoughts of self-harm, you don’t have to deal with your thoughts and feelings alone.
There are many ways to get help, support and guidance from people who are available to you 24/7.
- Counselors at hotlines
- Crisis centers
- Emergency rooms
They are there to listen, support, understand and help.
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.
If you're having an emergency right now:
- Call 911 or a crisis hotline,
- Call campus police/security, or
- Go to the emergency department at the nearest hospital.
Helpful Resources
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.
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.
- 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
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.
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:
For Parents
Do you think your teen might be depressed?
Get help. It's better to be safe than sorry.
Remember: Over time and with adequate support, it can get better.
Helpful Resources
Treatment Programs & Centers
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 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 (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.
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
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