But many battle with the challenges that come with puberty - the need to be accepted by peers, developing your own identity, economic problems and the pressures society exerts on young people. She felt under tremendous pressure to do well at school and to fit in with her peers. She attempted suicide a number of times before eventually getting help. I never spoke to anyone about what I was going through and every time someone tried to probe I would snap and go into a rage. I developed a trusting relationship with my therapist and today I am able to cope much better with my situation.
Depression is more than just the blues or normal everyday ups and downs.
In addition to feelings, it can change behaviour, physical health and appearance, academic performance and the ability to handle everyday pressures. Medical specialists believe these deaths could have been avoided. In many black communities, depression goes untreated. Hijacking, rape, unemployment, sexual abuse - many people experience these kinds of things in their daily lives. After such an experience, you develop post-traumatic disorder.