depression
More than 2 million teenagers have struggled with serious depression in the last year, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. That's about one of every 12 kids between the ages of 12 and 17. Girls seem to be more susceptible, with nearly 13% of females reporting depression, compared to less than 5% of males. [samhsa.gov, 5/13/08; msnbc.com, 5/13/08 stats - Plugged In Online 6/4/08] A new report from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy indicates that teens who are depressed are more than twice as likely to have used marijuana in the last year (25%) than those who have not reported being depressed (12%). In addition, depressed teens are more than twice as likely (8%) as their happier peers (3%) to become dependent upon marijuana. Researchers also found that marijuana use corresponds with a 40% increase in mental disorders such as schizophrenia, anxiety and suicidal thoughts. Teens who smoked marijuana at least once a month for a year, for example, are three times more likely to have suicidal thoughts. (The ONDCP report synthesized data from about a dozen other federal studies on marijuana use.) [whitehousedrugpolicy.gov, 5/9/08; AP, 5/9/08 stats, c&e - Plugged In Online 6/4/08] Depression is a very serious condition. It is also very hard to overcome by yourself. But you’re not alone are you? No, you’re not. You have Jesus Christ and through Him you can do all things. It is His strength that will get you through this – not your own. You don’t have to be strong enough because He is. Remember for minor bouts of sadness that attitudes are decisions. What happens to us can sometimes be out of our control, but what we can control is how we react to it. Talk about it. A good portion of overcoming your depression is just getting it out of you. I once heard that keeping a journal is just as helpful as seeing a professional therapist. So, if you don’t have someone to talk to, write down your emotions so they can get out of your system. Find Scripture supporting your happiness. Use the concordance in your Bible and find passages that show you how happy you should be. Write these passages down and meditate on them. I like to put them on sticky-notes and put them all over my house. They are a constant reminder of God’s Word and a weapon against whatever you are battling. Remember this: J.O.Y., as in Jesus, Others, You. Real joy is putting Jesus first, then others, and then yourself. I bet you’ll find that it is really hard to be depressed if you think about Jesus first. Do good things for other people for awhile. Rake your neighbor’s leaves, smile at a stranger, buy something that your friend has had her eye on, or cook dinner for your mom. You’ll be surprised at how doing random acts of kindness can really lift your mood.
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