L Talking to family and trusted friends about
how you’ve been feeling is still helpful.
L Writing about problems you’re facing, your
feelings and thoughts, and possible solutions
is also still helpful.
L Definitely see your family physician
if you think you might be depressed.
Major depression is a serious problem and
should be diagnosed by a family physician,
psychiatrist or psychologist. You might visit
your local mental health centre, where these
mental health professionals are usually
available.
L One effective treatment for major depression
in adolescents is cognitive behavioural
therapy [CBT]. CBT is a talking therapy that
teaches new skills for thinking and acting
more effectively. This guide is based on
CBT methods.
L Another effective treatment is interpersonal
therapy [IPT], a talking therapy that teaches
new skills for dealing with friends, teachers
and family.
L Antidepressant medications are often
helpful in overcoming major depression in
adolescents. But they don’t seem to be as
effective for adolescents as they are for
a