DEPRESSION is the main cause of illness and disability in teens, no matter where they live in the world, a report has found.

This week the World Health Organisation said getting teens adequate mental health support is vital to prevent thousands of deaths each year.

Its report, ‘Health for the world’s adolescents’ found that suicide is the third highest cause of death among teens, coming in after road accidents and HIV.

‘If adolescents with mental health problems get the care they need, this can prevent deaths and avoid suffering throughout life’, the report says.

A Dorchester teen, who wishes to remain anonymous, shares his experience of living with depression with Voices...

Mental Health is something which everyone knows about yet struggles to understand.

A broken leg is a clear physical injury.

But depression cannot be seen by anyone else, it’s your own mental injury, at times making you feel so weighed down it is hard to get out of bed.

As a teenager you go through some of the toughest times in your life, growing up, vital years of school and making important choices, with some leading to your future.

I have been suffering with depression for six months now, with every day feeling like a rollercoaster.

By no means am I an expert in the matter, but I really want to use my experience to help others.

But the hardest thing to do is tell anyone how you’re feeling, whether it is your close friends or parents; I found myself doubting if how I really felt was real.

I had lost the enjoyment in my life.

My behaviour grew more erratic as I began crying over things which would never normally bother me and became increasingly angry and aggressive to those around me.

Finding it easier to shut myself in my room, not going out see friends at weekends, while losing my ability to focus and concentrate on work.

Growing increasingly depressed, I began to lose grip of school work, seeing a dramatic drop in my ability to complete things.

This meant that work was not handed in on time and grade predictions slipped down, as well as the added pressure from unhappy teachers.

After feeling the way I did for so long I eventually decided to tell a close friend – this was one of the hardest things I had to do throughout the whole process.

After many months of trying hard to keep my feelings hidden from people at school, I worried if my friends would doubt me.

I told my friend by text, explaining what I felt was happening to me, it was one of the best things I have ever done, relieving months of hopeless feelings.

After talking to my friend we made the decision that I should visit the doctors to get an official diagnosis and some support to help me cope.

From my own experience it is important to take the advice of the doctor but ultimately make your own decision when deciding on how to move forward.

After visiting the doctors and beginning with counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) things started looking up.

Coming to terms with what you are struggling with is the hardest part.

But even though day-to-day life is still difficult, you begin to recognise that there is a way out of this.

Talking over my thoughts and feelings with someone helped a great deal and the CBT allowed me to analyse my negative thoughts and replace them with the positive.

Right now, I am coming out of the tunnel.

My exams are almost here now and I feel prepared, supported and ready to tackle them. I’m looking forward to an enjoyable summer of relaxation and rest.

Depression can get better – though taking the early steps are often the most difficult.

You can make a start by talking to your close friends or family, and they can give you the support you deserve.

My parents, understandably, are finding it hard to understand what I’m going through, but I always know that they will support me, even if it doesn’t seem like it sometimes.

Charity urges teens not to suffer in silence

YOUNGMinds, the charity for young people’s mental health and wellbeing is urging teens not to suffer in silence.

“The most important thing you can do if you think you are feeling depressed is talk to someone,” says a charity worker.

“This could be your parents, a sibling, friend, teacher, GP; but often talking about how you are feeling can really help you to feel better.

“People who care about you will want to help you to feel better so don’t feel worried about talking to them.”

Jennifer Phillips, of YoungMinds, added: “Our website also has lots of information for children and young people including explanations about mental health services, how to look after yourself and information about different mental health conditions.”

The YoungMinds Parents’ Helpline offers free confidential online and telephone support, including information and advice, to any adult worried about the emotional problems, behaviour or mental health of a child or young person up to the age of 25.

Lines are open Monday to Friday 9.30am-4pm on 0808 802 5544.