Rising From Depression
Her eyes didn’t leave the ground. For the whole conversation, they were fixed on the carpet. It was as grey as the rest of her world.
Rylee was experiencing clinical depression. She spent most of her days asleep in her room.
According to the Mayo Clinic, depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression, it affects how you feel, think and behave, and it can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. Depression may cause trouble in normal day-to-day activities, and sometimes a person can feel as if life isn't worth living.
Twenty-five million individuals in the United States are living with major depression. According to the National Alliance for Mental Illness, it’s the leading cause of disability in the country.
Rylee made it to an appointment one day, where her mental health therapist told her about Great Life Mentoring. She said she’d give it a try, and that was a bold move for a teen who didn’t trust people. Adults she had counted on in the past had let her down. They left her for drug addiction or jail, and she suffered from the instability. Her self-esteem was extremely low.
Rylee’s therapist thought connecting her with a Great Life mentor could make the difference. It’s not possible for Great Life mentors to protect their friend from the ups and downs of life—they can’t prevent adversity—but they can provide a consistent, trustworthy presence. As a Research-Based mental health intervention, Great Life Mentoring is shown to be associated with a statistically significant increase in global functioning and a lower likelihood of an unplanned and client-initiated ending of treatment. These things could mean a meaningful life change for Rylee.
On the day she met her mentor, Rylee didn’t look her in the eye, but that’s okay. Her new mentor, Dawn, was not in a hurry. This would be a long-term commitment, and Dawn was patient and willing to take it slow.
About a month after spending time together every week, Rylee began to relax. She started talking about her interests and sharing about her life. They did cooking or baking projects together a couple of times a month at a community kitchen. It became something they really enjoyed.
Eventually, Rylee grew in confidence and took the lead. She started learning more about baking and even giving tips to her mentor. Dawn remarked, “when Rylee feels capable or knowledgable, she moves with confidence and expresses happiness.”
Around three months into their relationship, eye-contact was the norm, and Rylee initiated conversation with her mentor for the first time. She started to believe that her voice really was important to Dawn, and their relationship went to a deeper level.
Although it wasn’t planned that way, Rylee’s self-worth rose, like the cake they baked together. She decided she’d like to go to culinary school.
There are still challenges with her family of origin, and that affects Rylee. But she has improved symptoms, self-esteem and hope for the future. She believes that her voice matters; she knows it matters to Dawn.
The National Institute of Mental Health reports that the following things can help during treatment. Being active and exercising, setting realistic goals, spending time with other people and confiding in a trusted friend, trying not to isolate, letting others help and expecting mood to improve gradually, not immediately. Consequently, they are also things that can be found in relationship with a Great Life mentor.
If you’d like to volunteer as a Great Life mentor, and improve the life of a child facing adversity, use the link to apply right this way. Volunteer in Vancouver WA or Volunteer in Portland OR. Other locations available soon. Sign up now and we'll contact you when there's an opening in your area.
To learn more about depression, or for depression resources, please follow links provided in the article above.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Now, more than ever, we need to find ways to stay connected to our community. No one should feel alone or without the information, support and help they need. #notalone