Trigger warning: The following content discusses mental health disorders - specifically depression. Viewer discretion is advised.

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(*This is a MASSIVE PSA! The advice of Hazel Emory Antler and Ivy Dewdrop is not medical and should not be taken as such! This article is trying to raise awareness for common things that aren’t spoken about enough! If you or someone you know struggles with depression and has not actively sought help I recommend doing so as depression is scary and isolating when you’re on your own! ❤️ We love you all and want you to know that you have a place in this world and that you deserve to be here)

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Mental Health Awareness: Learning To Cope With Depression

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Amber’s eyes fluttered awake. Her final alarm had gone off 25 minutes ago, but truthfully, she’d been awake for hours. However, she just had no energy to get out of bed. Once she finally opened her eyes, she was greeted by the immediate dread for the rest of the day. Today, she was meant to shower, clean her room, and finish an essay. Instead, she turned to her side and picked up her phone. She wasn’t anticipating any messages, as most of her friends were at the mall today. Amber was invited but she didn’t want to be a buzz-kill, so she stayed home. When she checked the clock, it was 12:45 pm and her mum was already hollering downstairs.

“AMBER!" She shrieked. "Get out of your bed and come EAT something!"

Already not wanting to get out of bed, Amber just lied there and acted oblivious to the racket downstairs. Though, she should’ve known she couldn't've evaded her mothers determination, because she had sent Matthew, her little brother. Flinging her blanket open, he bounced up and down, already giddy. It’s far too early for this, Amber thought with an internal grimace.

“Am! Am! Come downstairs! Mummy made your favorite for breaky!” Matthew was only 4 and a half, so she couldn’t really blame him for his energy.

“Shh, it’s too early, tell her I’m not that hungry please. Thank you,” she replied. His shoulders dropped and she felt a pang of guilt in her chest.

“Okay...” Matthew mumbled before he shuffled off.

Amber spent the rest of the day in her bed, in the dark doom, scrolling through social media. 
She’d emerged once, only to be greeted by a drunk dad, hyperactive little brother, and her mum. Amber had known her mum had always tried her best, and she couldn’t help but feel bad most times. She’d eaten the food her mother saved her and gave her a hug, before returning to her room to sleep, even though it was only 7 pm.

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Introduction! 
Hello my loves, this is going to be a bit of a heavy topic! < 3 We will discuss depression, the causes, symptoms, what can help, and personal experience. I deeply hope all those struggling with depression can find help and can find a way to express themselves. Know that you are not alone and that we deeply love and care for you! You have a special place in this world and you are valued and important!!

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What is Depression? 
Depression is a very common and serious mental disorder that affects the way you act, feel, think and view life. It is the continuous feeling of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in your usual day-to-day activities. People with depression might have trouble sleeping, a change in appetite or a low mood all the time. This will be covered in more detail later on. Let's think of it as using the spoons theory - this is when you have a set amount of spoons for the day for what you need to do. Some people will have many for example 100 whilst others only 10, those with 10 could have depression.

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What causes depression?
1. Stressful events can cause depression such as a divorce, financial issues, abuse, or the death of a loved one. 
2. Depression can run through a family’s genes. If someone in your family, for example, your mother, has had depression in the past, there’s a chance that you’ll develop it too.
3. If you have certain personality traits, such as being overly self-critical or having low self-esteem, you are more vulnerable to depression.
4. If you are being cut off from your family and friends, you’ll feel extreme loneliness, which can lead to depression.
5. Alcohol and drugs can result in you becoming depressed. Cannabis can help you relax, but there is much evidence of it bringing on depression, especially in teens. Alcohol affects the chemistry of the brain which then increases your chances of becoming depressed.
6. If you have a life-threatening or long-standing illness such as cancer, there is a higher chance of you acquiring depression.
7. For women, depression can also be because you’ve just given birth. The hormonal and physical changes are overwhelming, as well as the responsibility of a new life on your shoulders. This is known as postpartum. Sometimes, depression starts before you give birth as well. Menopause is when your periods halt due to low hormone levels. This can trigger depression.

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Symptoms of depression!
There are many ways to tell if someone, or yourself, is depressed or not. However, these don’t always mean you have depression. Symptoms of depression are:
1. Continuous low mood and sadness.
2. Feeling helpless and hopeless.
3. Having no motivation to do things/losing interest in your everyday activities.
4. Feeling irritated and intolerant of other people.
5. Oversleeping or sleeping too little/sleep problems.
6. Slowed body movement, thinking and speaking.
7. Trouble making decisions and remembering things.
8. A lack of energy.
9. Fatigue.
10. A change in appetite.
These are just some of the many!

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Tips and tricks on how to cope with depression! 
Depression isn’t something you can just ‘solve’ and you cannot just follow a tip to fix it. Learning to cope with depression takes time and talking through it. However, it is possible. I cannot solve your depression but I can give you some things that have helped me!
I’m tired of seeing online, “WORK OUT MORE,” “TAKE THIS SUPPLEMENT,” “EAT THIS FRUIT IT HAS HEALING ABILITIES.” While yes, these might work for some people, realistically it can be a struggle for those with absolutely no motivation! SO, here are some REALISTIC things you can do to help!
When you DO have the motivation to shower, do EVERYTHING in that shower. Wash your face, brush your teeth, in the shower. That way you can get the most out of the little energy you have. If you can’t that’s ok, try to do as much as you can.
Try to get out of bed or even stay in bed and do the most basic stretches you can, whatever you can handle. Just try <3
I personally use a mental health app called Finch, it’s free and completely optional. Personally it helps me create a routine and stick to doing tasks that give me dopamine for the little things I do.
Stay in tune with your surroundings, take a second, if you can step outside away from electronics and just breathe the fresh air. Doomscrolling on social media won’t help.
Lastly, please don’t be afraid to ask for genuine help, from family, friends, doctors, anyone that you trust or love! 
You can’t just say you “accept it” you need to know what it is, what it means and how it affects you to be able to grasp it.

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Ivy’s personal experience!
To finish up the majority of this chapter I’d like to discuss my personal depression experience. (Just to clarify, this is Ivy) I will be sharing just a little bit of personal information! Please don't’ judge or bombard me with questions, “Are you okay??” “What happened??” I’m fine and I go to therapy weekly! So I am getting help I promise! NOW! Let’s get into it!
I’ve been clinically diagnosed with depression since I was 9, I believe, and I’ve been medicated for it since. In my experience, not only was my depression inherited, it was almost guaranteed with some of the cards I was dealt. However, I would never want to sound like I am complaining, I have plenty to be grateful for, of which I am!! My depression wasn’t terrible until COVID, I feel as though it ostracized me from people my age, which was lonely. Whilst in virtual school from 3rd-5th grade I was alone, for the most part, until I met a boy. His name is C (that’s what we are gonna say) he was diagnosed with cancer and he passed away 2 years after I met him. This was heart-shattering and definitely set me depression over the edge. It has now been 2 years since he passed and I’m learning to deal with the overwhelming sadness that plagues me every day. My depression can affect my interactions with others and at times my school performance. I hope whilst reading this you’ve felt as though you are not alone! <3

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Websites for those who struggle with their mental health!
Here is a list of websites that can help you if you’re struggling with your mental health:
https://www.beyondblue.org.au
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/mental-health-resources
https://kidshelpline.com.au
https://www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression#hts-findhelp
https://headspace.org.au
Others include Kooth, Camhs and YPAS for those in the UK.

Keep on fighting pooks, you are strong and you WILL get through this if you stay positive and reach out to family and friends as well as if you get support and help! Love y'all, see you around the castle! <333

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Written by Ivy Dewdrop and Hazel Antler.
Edited by Sam Diggory.
Proofread by Sara Rowan.