Depression is more than the blues; it is more than the normal, everyday ups and downs. When that “down” mood, combined with other symptoms, lasts for more than a couple of weeks, the condition may be clinical depression. This is a serious health problem that affects the total person.

Anxiety disorders are illnesses that fill people’s lives with overwhelming anxiety and fear that doesn’t go away, and often gets worse. These disorders can change your teen’s behavior by diminishing physical health and appearance, school performance, social activity, and the ability to handle everyday decisions and pressures.

Mental disorders are real illnesses, just like diabetes or other physical ailments. Having a mental illness does not mean a person is weak, or a failure, or is not really trying. It means he or she needs treatment. Untreated, mental disorders can result in damage to self-esteem, poor school performance, problems with relationships and even suicide. Mental health treatment works; most people can be helped. Treatment helps reduce the symptoms of the mental disorder, improve relationships, strengthen coping skills and promote behaviors that make a person’s life better.

Neither parent or teen should be afraid of what people might say or think about seeking treatment. You should draw upon many available resources and may even be surprised by the support you receive from your friends and your teen’s friends.

If you think your child has an emotional problem (even if it is not serious enough to be called a mental illness) that requires more help than you can give, the sooner they get the needed help, the sooner they may feel better.