Recommended Reading
NAMI's suggested books on Teen Depression. Some books may seem suited more to parents, but they are good resources for teens too. Remember - knowledge is power. Know what your parents may be thinking, and learn to talk with them about specific concerns.
The Adolescent Depression Workbook by Mary Ellen Copeland & Dr. Stuart Copans. Brattleboro, Vermont: Peach Press (1998) A self-help workbook that will enable you to assess how you feel and determine what to do. Practical steps for reflection. Order from author at www.mentalhealthrecovery.com or email gmapeach@sover.net.
Help ME, I'm Sad: Recognizing, Treating & Preventing Childhood and Adolescent Depression by Dr. David Fassler and Lynne S. Dumas. New York: Penguin Putnam, Inc. (1997) Helpful for recognizing warning signs of depression; includes case histories as illustrations of various stages.
Lonely, Sad & Angry: A Parent's Guide to Depression in Children & Adolescents by Barbara Ingersoll and Sam Goldstein. New York: Bantam Doubleday Dell (1995). Covers symptoms of depression; diagnosis; causes; treatment (including medication); suicide; and management strategies at home and at school.
It's Nobody's Fault by Harold S. Koplewicz, New York: Times Books (1996). Explains why mental illnesses are brain disorders that are nobody's fault, with a separate chapter devoted to each of thirteen disorders, including depression. Discusses diagnosis, treatment and prognosis.
Challenge The Beast Within Yourself and Win-I Did. Here's My Story by Cait Irwin of Dallas, Texas: AVI Communications (1998) Written by a high school senior for other teens. Explains how depression affects one's life and that of family and friends. The book is a quick read (30 minutes), but contains a breadth of information. Cool pictures too.- Understanding Mental Illness: For Teens Who Care About Someone With Mental Illness by Julie Johnson. Minneapolis, MN: Lerner Publishing Co. (1989) Discusses common misconceptions about mental illness; biological origins, symptoms, and treatments. Explores feelings that teenagers often confront and suggests family coping strategies.
MINDS Suggested Reading
- Dark to Light by Julie Carrico: A Collection of Poems from Doubt to Faith is a riveting and candid look into the frightening world of addiction, as experienced by an intelligent and creative young adult caught in a downhill spiral at a very young age. Carrico's poems tell the story of the struggle for sobriety as she tackles the demons within, in a fierce battle for survival. The work provides valuable insight into the addictive mind and leaves the reader with a new understanding of this tragic "epidemic" in today's world. The book is a powerful testament to how God's grace and love can help, heal, and conquer any obstacle. It is a message of hope and faith and a must-read for anyone who has struggled with addiction and doubt, or who knows someone who has.