Told My Mom I’m Depressed, But She Won’t Do Anything about It

I’ve told my mom that I have felt depressed since the 3rd grade. I used to fake sick just so I could stay in bed all day and I’m sad to say that I still do it even today. I’m in my second year of college, so I can’t really afford to pay for my own help. Anytime I mention it to my mother, I start to cry and all she says is “I know its hard but you’ll pull through.” I constantly have thoughts of suicide and have a history with self harm. My mom has no job as of the moment and my parents are divorced. My family has a history with depression, anxiety, and even bipolar disorder, yet my mom still doesn’t seem to want to believe that I could be depressed or have suicidal thoughts. I don’t know what to do and I feel trapped.

A. Virtually all colleges have free mental health services available to their students. You should utilize their help. College counseling centers typically offer free counseling. Most of the therapy that’s offered is short-term, but if longer-term treatment is needed you will likely be referred to the appropriate services. The cost of longer-term mental health treatment can depend on where you live, whether or not you have health insurance and your overall mental health needs. Many communities have free or low-cost services available.

Sometimes parents don’t know how to help their children. It can be easier to deny that a problem exists. Parents don’t want to think that anything is wrong with their children. It may be that your mother doesn’t know how to help you. It could also be that she thinks you are going through a “phase” and that whatever is wrong will work itself out. You do not need your mother’s approval in order to receive mental health treatment. The college counseling center treatment staff should be able to help you. I would strongly urge you to utilize their services.

If, for whatever reason, those services are not available to you and you feel as though you might harm yourself, then go to the emergency room or call emergency services. They can keep you safe and assist you in receiving mental health treatment. You are not trapped and help does exist. I hope that you’re able to receive the help that you desire. Please take care.

Dr. Kristina Randle

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