If you—or a family member or friend—are having thoughts about suicide, resources are available to help. Please contact the Suicide Prevention Hotline at 800-273-TALK or 800-273-8255.
Depression is one of the most common mental health disorders in the United States, according to the National Institute on Mental Health. It is a serious mood disorder that causes severe symptoms that can affect the way an individual feels, thinks and handles daily activities such as sleeping, eating or working. To be diagnosed with depression, the symptoms must be present for at least two weeks.
Depression—even the most severe cases of depression—can be treated. The earlier that treatment begins, the more effective it is—and licensed professional counselors can help.
The American Counseling Association assembled the resources below to serve as background material in helping clients dealing with depression.
PRACTICE BRIEFS AND OTHER RESOURCES
Practice Briefs
The ACA Center for Counseling Practice, Policy and Research offers Practice Briefs for ACA members. Practice Briefs, written by scholars in the counseling profession, are research-based summaries of best practices, evidence-based practices and research-based approaches covering a wide variety of client-presenting issues and counseling topics. Each Practice Brief is several pages in length, includes references and has been peer-reviewed by two co-editors before being accepted for publication. The Practice Briefs, which are available to ACA members only, include:
Online Courses
DSM-5 Depressive, Anxiety, and Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders
Speakers: Stephanie F. Dailey EdD, Casey A. Barrio Minton PhD, Shannon Karl PhD, Carman S. Gill PhD
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Youth: Family Acceptance and Emotional Development
Speakers: Julie Basulto
BOOKS
Youth at Risk, 7th edition
Edited by David Capuzzi and Douglas R. Gross
In the latest edition of this best-selling text, distinguished counselors David Capuzzi and Douglas Gross, along with 24 experts in the field, provide a prevention-intervention paradigm to address contemporary issues facing today's youth. Written from a systemic perspective, this book offers guidance in helping teens who are struggling with the complex challenges that can be brought on by peers, family members and difficult social environments.
Part 1 presents information on at-risk population identification, causal factors of problematic behaviors and promotion of resiliency in youth. Part 2 examines the development of at-risk behaviors relating to dysfunctional family dynamics, low self-esteem, depression, mood disorders, and stress and trauma. Part 3 explores the behaviors most often identified as placing youth at risk, such as eating disorders, suicidal preoccupation, teen sexuality, gang membership, school violence, substance abuse, homelessness, school dropout and bullying, as well as the unique strengths of, and stressors faced by, multiracial and LGBTQ youth. Case studies illustrate prevention efforts from individual, family, school and community perspectives. Text sidebars create greater reader self-awareness and enhance the understanding of the concepts, skills and applications of the chapter material.
Mastering the Art of Solution-Focused Counseling, Second Edition
By Jeffrey T. Guterman
The most current trends in solution-focused counseling are explored in the latest edition of this updated and expanded text. Dr. Guterman provides a comprehensive and straightforward discussion of solution-focused theory and describes how the model can be used throughout the therapeutic process. Clinical techniques and detailed case studies illustrate counseling with clients experiencing a range of problems, including depression, substance abuse, grief, morbid jealousy and trichotillomania. New chapters and sections in this edition address anxiety, eating disorders, migraine headache, psychosis, spiritual and religious problems, self-injurious behavior and suicide. Additional features include excerpts of dialogue from actual counseling sessions, sample forms and supplementary materials and troubleshooting tips for getting unstuck in difficult cases. The final chapter, titled "The Future of Solution-Focused Counseling," considers new directions for the model and developments in research, clinical settings and technology.