{"id":62,"date":"2015-07-10T14:53:30","date_gmt":"2015-07-10T14:53:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dz.cyberwalker.com\/parents-of-depressed-teens\/2015\/07\/10\/becoming-a-health-advocate-for-your-loved-one\/"},"modified":"2016-02-04T01:51:02","modified_gmt":"2016-02-04T01:51:02","slug":"becoming-a-health-advocate-for-your-loved-one","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mydepressionzone.com\/parents-of-depressed-teens\/becoming-a-health-advocate-for-your-loved-one\/","title":{"rendered":"How to be a health advocate for a teen who is suicidal or depressed"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"HowWhat is a health advocate?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A health advocate is someone who has been appointed to help care for and manage the affairs of the sick individual. They do not need to have any medical qualification, just a commitment to help support the sick person.<\/p>\n

Why health advocates are necessary for teens\u00a0with depression<\/b><\/p>\n

Here’s some advice I always give to people who are struggling with major depression, which explains why they need to appoint someone to be a health advocate:<\/p>\n

When you were a kid your mom likely stayed home from work to take care of you when you were sick. \u00a0She made you chicken soup. She bathed you. She wrapped you up in a blanket. She kissed you. \u00a0She was in charge of taking care of you, so you could be in charge of focusing on getting healthy.<\/p>\n

When you\u2019re depressed it\u2019s the same thing. You need help and care from those around you. \u00a0Though, you may be trying to do things yourself because when you don\u2019t have physical symptoms you may think it\u2019s up to you to “pull yourself together”. Teens especially need that support because they are still for all intents and purposes children, although they straddle the border between childhood and adulthood..<\/p>\n

Depression is neurological disorder. \u00a0Depressed teens need to heal even if no one can see that they\u00a0need to heal. Give them\u00a0time.<\/p>\n

Once anyone has been\u00a0been labeled with a mental illness they\u00a0can seen as \u201cunreliable\u201d and \u201cunstable\u201d in the eyes of the world.<\/p>\n

Mood irregularity is a symptom and so, sometimes people think you can\u2019t be trusted, and your teen may not be seeing things for what they really are. \u00a0Whether it\u2019s true or not, this is what many people think and believe. That includes professionals.<\/p>\n

If you appoint yourself or ask for permission to be a health advocate for your teen, here are some of the crucial roles you’ll need to play:<\/b><\/p>\n

Character alibi:<\/b>\u00a0Vouch for their character and help explain their actions. This will help professionals understand what is “normal” behavior for them.<\/p>\n

Safety monitor: <\/b>You’ll need to keep an eye on them. Check on them frequently. Make sure they are safe. Ensure their environment is safe.<\/p>\n

Someone to talk to who will listen and be supportive: \u00a0<\/b>Sometimes they need to vent or share their pain with someone. It helps you get it out. And being listened to and understood can make them feel less alone\u00a0and\u00a0frustrated.<\/p>\n

A second in command<\/b>: As their parent you are used to\u00a0taking over and performing specific tasks when they aren\u2019t able to. You need to step this up if they are depressed.\u00a0Do things like: Drive them to school, make sure they eat. Help them with everyday tasks.<\/p>\n

Spokesperson:<\/b>\u00a0You can talk for them when they can’t – or won’t.<\/p>\n