Your Hardest Family Question: My teenage son has depression
FEATURES
- What a New Analytic Tool Tells us about President Nelson’s Talks by Scott Brown
- Download Chart of General Authorities & General Officers for October 2025 General Conference by Larry Richman
- Photo Essay: Thousands Say Goodbye to a Prophet by Ashley Pun Eveson
- An ER Doctor Ran into a Burning Grand Blanc Church Again and Again by Deseret News
- General Conference: The Lord Offers Invitations and the Work Hastens by Maurine Proctor
- President Russell M. Nelson Remembered as “the Holder of Hands and the Healer of Hearts” by Maurine Proctor
- Saturday General Conference Highlights to Share by Meridian Church Newswire
- Come Follow Me Podcast #40: “I Will Order All Things for Your Good”, Doctrine and Covenants 111-114 by Scot and Maurine Proctor
- He Hath Sent Me to Bind Up the Brokenhearted: The Savior’s Path of Healing After Abuse by Jeff Teichert
- Cartoon: Conference Balance by Kevin Beckstrom
Comments | Return to Story
anonymousApril 19, 2025
My son came to me when he was 15 and confessed that he was depressed. In an effort to normalize his feelings, I'm afraid that I unwittingly dismissed how much he was struggling. 15 years later, he is finally getting the help he needs. He has been diagnosed with bi-polar disorder and how I wish I had sought medical and emotional help while he was still under my roof. Listen to him with love and reassure him that you are not judging him, show compassion for him, but take seriously your concerns. Let him know you are acting out of love and concern, not frustration or anger.
JuliApril 12, 2025
our son started with depression when he was 15. I remember feeling frustrated because I felt like he was just acting out. It was a long journey as it’s been 10 years since then I don’t mean to be negative, but he took his own life in 2021. when he was 16 we sent him to Anasazi in Mesa, Arizona an outdoor behavioral health place. It was a godsend for a while then he made some choices that drove him into a downward spiral. we’ve since realized that our family has a lot of depression on both sides. I know a lot of leaders with good intentions say pray and have more faith. I pray and I have faith, but it’s not gonna go away. It’s just gonna be livable. the one thing that gives me peace is knowing that the last time I talked to him, he knew that I loved him, no matter what he did or no matter his choices. Pray harder than you’ve ever prayed and love him and make sure he knows it.I wish you and your son all the best.
ADD A COMMENT