Teens: How can you care for yourself to lower the chance of depression coming back?
- Take your medicines exactly as prescribed. Call your doctor if you think you are having a problem with your medicine.
- Continue to take your medicine after your symptoms improve. Don't stop taking them without talking to your doctor.
- If your depression keeps coming back, your doctor may recommend that you take medicine even longer.
- Continue counseling. It may help prevent depression from returning, especially if you've had multiple episodes of depression. Talk with your counselor if you are having a hard time attending your sessions or you think the sessions aren't working. Don't just stop going.
- Eat healthy foods. Include fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains in your diet each day.
- Get regular exercise. Go for a walk or jog, ride your bike, or play sports with friends.
- See your doctor right away if you have new symptoms or feel that your depression is coming back.
- Keep a regular sleep schedule. Try for 8 to 10 hours of sleep a night.
- Avoid using illegal drugs or marijuana and drinking alcohol.
Where to get help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
If you or someone you know talks about suicide, self-harm, a mental health crisis, a substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress, get help right away. You can:
- Call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
- Call 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).
- Text HOME to 741741 to access the Crisis Text Line.
Consider saving these numbers in your phone.
Go to 988lifeline.org for more information or to chat online.
Lowering the chance of depression coming back: When to call
Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:
- You are thinking about suicide or are threatening suicide.
- You feel you cannot stop from hurting yourself or someone else.
- You hear or see things that aren't real.
- You think or speak in a bizarre way that is not like your usual behavior.
Where to get help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
If you or someone you know talks about suicide, self-harm, a mental health crisis, a substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress, get help right away. You can:
- Call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
- Call 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).
- Text HOME to 741741 to access the Crisis Text Line.
Consider saving these numbers in your phone.
Go to 988lifeline.org for more information or to chat online.
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
- You are talking or writing about death.
- You are drinking a lot of alcohol or using drugs.
Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
- You find it hard or it's getting harder to deal with school, a job, family, or friends.
- You think your treatment is not helping or you are not getting better.
- Your symptoms get worse or you get new symptoms.
- You have any problems with your antidepressant medicines, such as side effects, or you are thinking about stopping your medicine.
- You are having manic behavior, such as having very high energy, needing less sleep than normal, or showing risky behavior such as spending money you don't have or abusing others verbally or physically.
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