I’m Shaun and I’m 16. I have had a really hard time since my brother died. Things are better for me now since I can talk about my feelings but I sure miss him.
It began when my brother died after a bad car accident. Since then, I became shy and quiet. I didn’t really want to talk to anybody and I felt pressure about hanging out with people, talking or doing things. I just didn’t think people would understand me or what I was feeling. I used to do lots of things with my brother and everything changed after he passed away. I started to sleep a lot and I just stayed in my room all the time. My parents kept telling me to “snap out of it” but the feelings wouldn’t go away.
One night I was watching television and I saw a PSA (Public Service Announcement) for a local Mental Health Association with a toll-free number to call. I talked to Mom and Dad and we all agreed I should make the call. I did. I talked to a counselor; she helped a lot and now I see a therapist every week. I joined a group of kids who have the same kinds of feelings as me and we share a lot about what we are going through. Turns out I have clinical depression and now, with talking and sharing my feelings, I have a better understanding of what goals I need to set and what I can do to deal with these feelings. It helped my parents a lot too.
I am feeling a lot better now and some days I feel pretty good. Now I know that if a person is feeling sad, angry, or even numb for a really long time and those feelings will not go away, then he or she needs to reach out and talk to someone. I’m glad I decided to get some help.