depression conversation

A recent conversation with 12, who is struggling with the start of seventh grade and uses phrases like "doomed," "time to bail," and "doesn't bode well:"

Me: If I could give you a happy pill, would you take it?
12: No.
Me: Why not?
12: Because I don't believe it would work.
Me: (In stunned silence for a moment). Wow.
12: What?
Me: You have just shown me a really valuable lesson about depression.
12: I don't get it.
Me: (Kind of laughing).
12: Are you laughing at me?
Me: Not really. I'm laughing at mys...