Survival Guide for Depressed Teens

When Nothing Matters Anymore: A Survival Guide for Depressed Teens, by Bev Cobain R.N. C. (2007)

On April 8, 1994, Kurt Cobain ended his long struggle with depression and chemical dependency by taking his own life. His suicide profoundly affected millions of fans around the world who identified with the music of Kurt and his band, Nirvana. Bev Cobain is Kurt’s cousin, and this powerful book is her way of dealing with his death—and reaching out to teens with a life-saving message: You don’t have to be sad, discouraged, or depressed. There is help and hope for you.

Full of solid information and straight talk, When Nothing Matters Anymore defines and explains adolescent depression, reveals how common it is, describes the symptoms, and spreads the good news that depression is treatable. Personal stories, photos, and poetry from teens dealing with depression speak directly to readers’ feelings, concerns, and experiences.

Teens learn how to recognize depression in themselves and others, understand its effects, and take care of themselves by relaxing, exercising, eating right, and talking things over with people who care. For some teens, self-help isn’t enough, so Bev also tells about treatment options, presents the facts about therapy, explains the differences between various types of helping professionals (psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, physicians, counselors, etc.), discusses medications, and more.

This book isn’t just for teens who have been diagnosed with depression. It’s for any teen who feels hopeless, helpless, and alone. Clear, encouraging, and matter-of-fact, it’s also recommended for parents, teachers, and counselors who want to know more about teen depression.

Help for Kids Who Are Sad and Depressed

My Feeling Better Workbook: Help for Kids Who Are Sad and Depressed, by Sara Hamil LCSW. (2008)

There are many ways to help children who are sad and depressed, and you might not even realize how much you can do to make your child feel better. By working through this book, guiding your child through just one activity a day, you can empower him or her with the skills necessary to overcome sadness and low self-esteem and live an active, joyful life.

The forty-two simple activities in this workbook help kids explore their feelings and combat the negative self-talk that depletes their motivation and self-esteem. Based on cognitive behavioral therapy, play therapy, and art therapy, this series of activities is designed to help children cope with painful feelings and feel happy again. Studies have shown that teaching these social and emotional skills to children at the onset of their depression can prevent it from becoming more serious in adolescence and beyond. Once children learn these skills, they will not only feel better, but also become more self-confident, capable, and willing to enjoy the best of what life has to offer.

Workbook to Help Teens Overcome Depression

Beyond the Blues: A Workbook to Help Teens Overcome Depression, by Lisa M. Schab, LCSW. (2008)

Many people experience depression at one time or another in their lives, but during the adolescent years, the vast number of physical, emotional, and mental changes that occur make teens even more susceptible to feelings of confusion or sadness. However your depression originates, you must to learn to handle it so that you can manage the stresses of daily life.

The activities in Beyond the Blues can help you cope with sad and difficult feelings, find new ways to make friends, and deal with conflicts. Little by little and on your own schedule, you can make small changes in your life that will lead you to a brighter, more enjoyable future. Since everyone is different and heals in slightly different ways, this book presents a wide variety of exercises.

Know that as you work through this book, you are doing something good for yourself. You are learning to cope with your feelings and take care of yourself in a healthy way. You can learn to manage depression just like you learned to tie your shoes or read and write. Just give it a chance and be patient with yourself. You deserve to feel good, and you will if you keep working at it!

If you’re feeling depressed, don’t be afraid to reach out for help.This workbook offers things you can do, both on your own and with a counselor, to start feeling more like yourself again.