Depression and anxiety are silent killers of teens today. By 2025, suicide is expected to be the leading cause amongst people ages 10 to 21. Because of family dynamics, costs, and other often unknown factors, people struggling with these disorders are not always able to receive the help they need.  

Here are 5 different ways to cope with anxiety or depression.  

Human Interaction: Spending time with people you love and trust, even if you’re not speaking about your problems, can be a great way to destress and take your mind off what you are struggling with. If you have people in your life that you can confide in, try talking to them and asking for advice.  

Journaling: If you tend to hold your problems in, then this method may be effective for you. Sometimes your brain can become so wound up in what you’re going through that you forget some things are in your control. Writing down your stressors and pinpointing which ones you can fix will help you take stressors off your stress plate. 

Meditation:  Meditation is a great way to clear a jumbled mind. Most meditations encourage you to focus on breathing and clearing your thoughts completely. Guided meditations are most helpful for people who are just beginning to meditate. This one can become a long-term coping mechanism with practice. Some good meditation apps are: Calm, Headspace, Insight Timer, and Aura. 

Music/Books: Both music and books tell stories whether they be good or bad. These tools allow you to find things tailored to you. When it comes to music you could listen to artists who have similar stories to yours. This allows you to feel like you are not alone. With books you can immerse yourself in a world different from your own. Some artists that make calming music are Billie Eilish, Tom Misch, Willow, and Tash Sultana. 

Online support groups: Sometimes people who need help are not in the place to access resources like therapy. For those in need there are tons of online chat rooms and hotlines where they can talk to people about what they are dealing with. Websites like these give people a place to say how they feel without having to say anything about themselves. It also gives others the opportunity to offer advice and help. 

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health and/or suicidal thoughts, contact these resources: 

Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-8255 

Domestic Abuse Hotline: 1−800−799−7233 

https://www.thetrevorproject.org  

Trevor Project Hotline: 866-488-7386 (text, call, or chat)