My Kind of Sad: What It's Like to Be Young and Depressed

by Kate Scowen, M. Korenblum (Afterword), Jeff Szuc (Illustrator)

Helping teens deal with depression. "Once you've been through it and you're able to get out of it, then you can handle pretty much anything."
- Caroline, age 19 Written to be read by teens themselves, My Kind of Sad lays out the facts on moodiness, depression, and the stresses of teenaged life. From the factors affecting how kids feel to the signs of serious depression, the book explores youth-specific mental health issues and offers teens expert advice on how to find help for themselves or help a friend in need. To help kids differentiate between general worries and something more serious, the topics Along with constructive guidance from professionals and stats from the latest studies, the book shares thoughts and feelings from teens who have experienced different forms of depression. Complete with pages of resources to help learn more, My Kind of Sad is a valuable ally in the battle against hopelessness.

Genres: Young Adult, Mental Health

168 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2006

About the author

Kate Scowen’s interest in youth and youth culture developed while she was attending Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario. During this time, she volunteered at a local community center as a counselor for high-risk youth. The strong connection she made with one girl in particular sparked her interest in the lives of these kids; what made them who they were, where they were going and how they might get there.

Before she left for London, England to pursue her graduate degree, Kate got her first “real” job working as a counselor in a group home. This experience opened her eyes to the realities of the lives of the kids sent there and how their life experiences played out in the world around them. Kate left Peterborough to study Social Policy and Planning at the London School of Economics, which turned out to be a unique opportunity to dig deeper into the world of youth culture. Kate spent her free time that year volunteering with youth-based organizations and interviewing youth and program staff for her dissertation on contemporary youth culture.

After graduating, Kate moved to Toronto where she got a job working in a residential program of the Children’s Aid Society. Following that, Kate worked with high-risk youth in a community-based program in Toronto’s Kensington Market for more than seven years. In 1998, Kate decided to spend more time at home with her three daughters and began working as a consultant. She remains immersed in youth culture through her volunteer work, her writing and through the lives of her children and their many friends who drift in and out of her house and are a constant source of amusement, frustration, and inspiration.

Reviews

[...Conor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the book because it is a great way for teens to learn about mental disorders, how they affect your mood, the warning signs of suicide, and advice on how to help a friend. It helps teens understand anything regarding mental health that they may be concerned about. First, the book gives background information on adolescence and depression. Then it goes into the facts about Depression, Bipolar disorder, Eating disorders, Self Mutilation, Gender differences, and suicide. Lastly it tells you all bout the treatment options in order to help you. I think the book is a an amazing aid to any teenager especially ones making the transition to high school as Freshmen. Not only can it help them with their own issue it could help them understand others mental problems. It even advises them on what they should do if a friend is having problems. I think it could really help any Freshmen and the difficulties they may face in their adolescence and on wards.

[Rachel Roisse · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF Good lord this was Bad

[Judy Churchill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent book for pre-teens and teens. It covers often "silent" topics such as depression, medication, anxiety, cutting and suicide in a way that is easily understood. The voices of teens and young people are added as a mark of authenticity. It is a good book for parents of troubled teens to read as it de-mystifies many of the persistent roadblocks to help.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found it to be a very insightful book. I would definitely recommend it to other depressed teenagers.

[Mrs. Melaugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful information about some difficult topics presented in a matter-of-fact tone. Great resource!