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Depression Poem by Teens

To Parents Who Don't Care

My mum suffered years of abuse and depression, so when I realized I was depressed, I thought she would be supportive and would understand. Instead, she screamed at me and wouldn't even listen when I tried to explain...so this poem is about me just learning to deal with the fact that my family isn't there for me, but I know my friends always will be, no matter what.

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I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. I, too, lost my father in an accident, so I guess I can relate in some way.. But I'm not claiming to completely understand how you feel. Only you know...

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You Don't Understand

Published by Family Friend Poems March 2011 with permission of the Author.

You don't understand,
you never do.
I try to explain,
but I can't get through to you.

I tell you the truth
that I feel so depressed,
but you say I'm okay.
I thought you would know best.

So I sit in my room,
locked in my personal hell,
while you pretend it's all good
and I do as well.

But I'm not okay,
and my friends know that, too,
but you can't seem to see
what is right in front of you.

You say it's a phase,
blame my friends for it all,
but you don't understand
that this is not their fault.

I can't live like this.
I can't live this life,
and as much as I tried,
I can't end it with a knife.

I know you've been through this,
that you ached so much more,
but I can't help but wonder
don't you know me at all!?

I thought you would get it,
why I'm acting this way,
but you don't listen
to what I have to say.

You just ignore me,
pretend I'm alright.
I want this to end.
I feel like I might...

but I'm not as strong
as I'd like to be,
so I'll act all normal
while I wait patiently

for my time to come
and I hope that it's soon.
My friends understand;
I wish you could, too.

But you don't understand,
and I know it's not fair,
but sometimes I feel
like you don't even care.

I feel all alone,
but I know that's not true.
I have all my friends,
but I wish I had you.

I know with my friends
I'll make it through this,
even though it feels like
my life's falling to bits.

You don't understand.
You never do,
but I hope with their help
I can make it through.

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Has this poem touched you? Share your story!

by Anonynous
1 month ago

when I was 11 years
when the outbreak of covid hit and my family had to stay indoors and that was the worst weeks of my life. my mother started calling me evil, and she treated me different than my sibling and that caused me to lock myself and cry. 2 years later I attempted suicide and she beat me till I internally bled and 2 yeas later I still hate her so...… yeah, we understand your pain. I'm 15 now and I just cry in the bathroom and clean myself later coming out looking like I never did so...… yeah I understand.

by Susan Ikuesan
3 months ago

This poem is how I feel every day. I never wanted to tell my mum about what I am going through but then she found out and started shouting at me. Saying I'm so stupid, saying that no one will ever love me and that I should kill myself with other things. She never cared about how I FELT and only cared about herself and what others would say. I wish I could just have someone that cares.

by Ellie M. Alves
1 year ago

This is exactly the situation I'm in. My parents don't understand me at all. They say I'm just trying to be like my friends, but I'm not. My friends are the only people who understand me, and they are the only people who genuinely care about me. I like going to school because of them, and I feel less alone when I'm with them. My parents think that it's their fault for how I'm acting, but it's not. I started to self-harm, and I became very suicidal. I'm still the same way, but my friends make it a lot better.

by Esther Levin
2 years ago

Wow... yes, I have a similar story. I'm so impressed by this because you fully acknowledge that you need her. You don't hide from it and I do so... good for you, kiddo.

by Adriana R. Clark, Locust,North Carolina
4 years ago

I'm an 11-year-old girl, and I had a rough past. My biological dad gave up his rights. My step-dad adopted me and my 3 siblings. My grandpa died. My parents didn't tell me that my biological dad gave up his rights until I was 10. Well, I kinda found out myself...When they told me, that is when I got depressed. It only started as depression, but a year later my grandpa died. My grandpa and I were close, and then I had suicidal thoughts.

by Jigyasa
4 years ago

I can understand your feelings more clearly because I am also suffering from the same situation like you. My friends understand me more than my parents. You're not alone. I am one of many other people suffering from this problem. I understand your pain.

by Iona
3 years ago

I have these feelings too, the thoughts and all. I even tried taking my life once, but I survived. My friends seem to understand me and care way more than my parents do. You're not alone. I understand too.

by Tyra
5 years ago

I thought I was the only person going through this or knows how it feels. Thanks! It touched me to know I'm not the only one.

by Yasmine C. Douglas
6 years ago

I understand completely. It's a true poem. I lived a life without a father for 12 years, and when he decided to come back, he acted like I was his enemy. He never complemented me. My father and mother would fight over money because he didn't want to pay for my education. Every time I try to talk about how I feel they just ignore or say you will be okay, but I wasn't. I can relate to you. Keep writing!

by Sarah
6 years ago

I want all teenagers to know that it's really hard and painful to be mad at the world. I've never had depression, but I've been through a phase where I hated my parents, I didn't care about my family and I just wanted to spend the rest of my day outside with my friends. It's really hard when no one tries to understand how hard it is to be a teenager, even yourself. But I pray that you'll get it through like I did. Reading poems like this makes me want to reach out to teenagers suffering from self-remorse. It makes me so sad to think that you need to get this through feeling alone. But you're not alone.

by Samantha
7 years ago

I am 14 and I have been through a really hard time. I have a boyfriend and he makes my life better sometimes. But my family makes life harder sometimes. My friends make my life hard too sometimes. The only good thing in my life now is my boyfriend. Even if he makes life hard sometimes. But I know that there are people that understand, because it's a big world and people have hard lives sometimes.

by Anonymous
6 years ago

I'm a 16 year old girl going through life all confused and not knowing who to turn to. It kills you deep inside, but it seems there's no one to help. It's a battle within yourself.

by Andrea
10 years ago

I really connected to this poem. I have attempted suicide countless times, and have many many scars all over my body. I have a past that's very terrifying. But as long as you have someone, near or it far, you will either get over depression completely, or deal with it better. No one is ever alone.

by Alkiera
7 years ago

I wrote this poem years ago, when I first decided to seek help for my depression. I'd almost forgotten I'd even submitted it to this site. Thanks for taking the time to write this comment.
I guess that's what my main point at the time of submitting this was, that no one is alone, although I'm sure I could've expressed it in a way that was more easily understood.
I'm glad that you were able to connect with this poem, and I hope you're still doing well. It's still a struggle for me, but I'm determined to get through it all. And you're right, I'm never truly alone, no matter how many times I may think I am. And that goes for you and anyone else that may read this comment. Don't give up. Be strong. You're not alone.

by Nabrayah
10 years ago

I love this poem. I really felt your pain while reading this. It has like changed me in some sort of way . This poem will always be remembered by me. It will never leave my heart nor brain.

by Alkiera
7 years ago

Thanks for taking the time to comment, it means a lot to me. I'm glad you liked it- it was originally just a way to express myself without resorting to physically harming myself, but I'm glad to see others have also connected with it. That, and it was a way to make others in similar situations know that they weren't alone; that no one is truly alone.
And similarly to what you yourself have commented, I'll never forget your comment, and the fact that it's affected you so much.

by Elesha
10 years ago

Growing up my mom always told I wouldn't be anything so I beloved her and grow up turning to men for love. I was a stripper for many years and believed I couldn't and wouldn't be anything more. I have 2 kids who act like I don't exist and I feel no one listens or cares for me if I'm not spending money. I hate my life I tried to end it a year ago everyone thinks I'm strong. I'm just a 34 year old women crying out for help. I'm so tired of my depressing life and I want it to end. I feel sorry for my family when it ends but then they will see know one ever loved me not even me ....

by Alkiera
7 years ago

I don't know you personally, or the full extent of your story, but I hope you've either found someone who cares about you, or realized that there were always people that do care. Whilst you may feel like ending your life will be a big wake up call, in the end, that won't matter- because you won't be there. And I can say with almost complete certainty that you would be missed, and that there ARE people that care.
I know that this reply is two years after you've originally posted this, so I hope that you are in a much better place/mindset now. I hope everything is working out for you.
Thank you for taking the time to comment on this poem. All the best, Alkiera.

by Alyssa, Illinois
10 years ago

I know how you feel. My life is a living hell, and everyone around me sees me as a perfectly happy girl and they've told me so. But they don't know the truth, I'm not happy. I practically wear a smile all day and when I go home I take off that smile like I've been wearing a mask and sit in my room crying in the dark corner of my room. No one knows how I really feel. Me and my mother both fight. I never see my dad. And I get teased and pushed around, not just by kids at school, but also by some of my family members. When I try an open up to whom I thought were my best friends, they say I just want attention. I feel no one cares for me, but after I read your poem I realize that even with the very few REAL friends I have, encouraging me to stay strong, I can make it through life.

by Alkiera
7 years ago

I'm glad that you were able to see that, even without a mass number of "friends", you still had those few real friends to support you. I hope all is well with you now, and that your situation at home is better.
For those that said it was "just for attention", clearly don't (or didn't) understand that depression is a very real illness. You were better off without them, and I hope you haven't let them affect you with their unnecessary opinions- and I say unnecessary, because you shouldn't dwell on any negative opinion of you, and instead listen to those who do actually know you.
I hope this advice isn't actually needed anymore, and that you are in a much better place/mindset.
Thanks for taking the time to read and comment on this poem, it means a lot.

by Jedidiah
11 years ago

This poem it changed my life. I hit an all time low and then one day, I found this and I left it for my mom and I attempted suicide and all I can say is life has been better. She tries. At least I know I'll never belong in my family. Thanks.

by Alkiera
7 years ago

First of all, I'm glad that you enjoyed this poem and that it has had such a big impact on you. It's upsetting to hear that you attempted, but I'm glad to hear that you survived, and that things were better for you. I hope they still are, and better yet if things have improved! (I really hope they have). Thanks for taking the time to share your story, I'm sorry it's taken me so long to reply.
I hope the situation with your mother and family have improved, but if not, always know that you have people that you can rely on, and that need you too. You're never truly alone, no matter how many times you may think you are.
Thank you for commenting, I really appreciate it.

by Sam, Usa
11 years ago

No one understands the pain that I feel, it follows me everywhere and never leaves me alone. I cry on the inside and bleed on the outside and I've become afraid of happiness because it always seems to get taken from me as quickly as it comes and leaves me with a feeling of emptiness. Every day I look at the mirror and can't seem to recognize the girl staring back at me. What have I become? I fell in love with a guy who never cared and got my best friend pregnant. We were together for 3 years before that. My mom died, My grandfather died, my great grandparents died, my sister ran away and now I'm afraid to get close to anyone cause I'm afraid they're gonna leave me. I used to be so happy and now I can barely stand going a day without slitting my wrist and can barely go an hour without thinking the world would be better without me in it. My dad and brother could care less if I died, same with the rest of the family, so what's holding me back? The thought of would my mom be proud of me if I killed myself?

by Alkiera
7 years ago

I don't know you, and I don't claim to know what had (and hopefully still has) held you back from ending it all; but I'm glad it did. Not even taking into account whether your mother would be disappointed or not, is the fact that you would have, and will be, missed when you do pass- and hopefully it'll never be by your own hand. Like I've said, I don't know you, but please believe me when I say that you're not alone; all you have to do is reach out to the right people.
I hope you're situation is better now, and that all is well with you. Don't give up, know that there is more out there for you to experience, and that you WILL be missed, and that you ARE cared for.
Thank you for taking the time to comment, sorry for being so late with my reply. All the best, Alkiera.

by King Wlilliams Town
11 years ago

I've been molested when I was 9 years old. Never told my mom when I was about to tell my dad he was dying and I didn't get a chance to tell him ! I once told my younger sister when she told me that she is a victim too and I was surprised to know that we are both victims of molestation. I was molested by a family friend neighbor whom my mom adores most. I thought it was my fault ! As the time goes I've realized that it was never my fault ! I was a little child who was helpless. The guy whom I looked up as a brother molested me on my early age! He took advantage of me!

by Alkiera
7 years ago

Yes, he did take advantage of you. Never blame yourself- you were a victim, not the perpetrator. I'm so sorry to hear what you've been through- you and your sister. Don't feel guilty for not having told your father- it was a hard decision to make. Thank you for sharing it. I hope you've since told others, maybe even taken some action against this man. Most of all, though, I hope that you and your sister are doing well. Know that there is always someone who will listen, you just have to reach out to the right people.
Thank him for sharing your story, and commenting. I really appreciate it. Hoping all is well with you, all the best! -Alkiera

by Meghan, Usa
11 years ago

I feel alone and unloved I cry almost every night, my father was in prison twice and I blame myself, my moms boyfriend used to hit me and no one ever believed me. My sisters and brother lied for my moms boyfriend, I've been bullied from second grade to seventh and I'm in seventh again .. no one likes me, I have one good friend, I've tried killing myself but it's not as easy as it looks. I used to cut almost every night but now it's not as much. I still want to die. The first time I ever cut myself was in third grade the last time I cut was a week ago., I've been trying to ask for help but no one will listen. I wanna know that someone really cares about me, my mom wants me dead, and my brother said he wouldn't care if I died .. my ex boyfriend told me to go kill myself .. I want someone to help me)-: why won't anyone listen ?!)-':

by Alkiera
7 years ago

I know this reply is late, but I really hope you're in a better place/mindset than where you were when you made this comment. I hope that you were able to get help, and that you found someone to listen. I noticed you wrote that you have "one good friend", but one friend is all you need; as long as that friend is supportive and understanding, then you won't need many more.
Don't take to heart what others say- especially people you've removed from your life, like your ex-boyfriend. His opinion shouldn't matter- the most important opinion is the one you have of yourself, and that of those who truly know you and love you.
I know that having hurt yourself from such a young age may feel like it's normal for you, and that you won't change, but that's not right. I was 6 the first time I harmed myself, but I've gotten some help and I'm doing a lot better now.
Hopefully, if you haven't already found help, you will find yourself able to reach out to the right people. All the best, Alkiera

by Emily Allen, Memphis
12 years ago

I know how you feel...my mom never cares when I cut or hurt myself...but instead she grounds me and tells me I'm a stupid bitch and is never supportive...my dad was the only one who ever supported me but he lived in a nursing home for about 2 years but he died last Wednesday in his sleep and I miss him so much.

by Alkiera
7 years ago

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. I, too, lost my father in an accident, so I guess I can relate in some way.. But I'm not claiming to completely understand how you feel. Only you know that, and anyone you've shared that information with. I hope you have- I hope you've had the opportunity to reach out to those that are willing to listen, and that care for you.
I hope your relationship with your mother is better. If not, I hope you've moved on, and that you are doing well now. Thank you for taking the time to comment, I appreciate it. Hoping all is well, and all the best for you, Alkiera

by Cheyenne, North Carolina
12 years ago

My life is hell. My father is not alive. Neither is my mother. the lady I live with wishes me dead. I get bullied everyday at school. I come home in tears. I was raped by the two guys I trusted with my life. I grew up with them they were like brothers. I wish they didn't do it, but it isn't the first time that it has happened. I can't tell anyone because no one ever believes. I just want to know I'm loved. I want to be cared about, but I never wanted what I got. I know I'm not loved where I am and I know if I wasn't around anymore no one would care.

by Dean-Na, Kingston
12 years ago

I love your poem. See when I was abused by my uncle, my mom didn't believe me and she didn't want me to tell and when I did she got angry, all I could think is what about me? I felt like she didn't care about me, all my friends and teachers believed me but not her, so then I started to feel like it never happened it was all in my head, just because of what my mother said. Now I go to court and I don't want her there because I am afraid she will side with him.

by New England
12 years ago

My cry is never heard to those who surround me. High school tore me from my "friends" and caused the tears from its stress. It seems to want to tear me down and suffocate me. The tears that fall burn my pink cheeks and I never wipe away so they remind me of the pain I feel. The neglect from my family and ignorance of the people at school have prospered by my tolerance, but I cannot live like this anymore. My friends I have left taunt me by their presence during special occasions and my heart feels like weights are trying to demolish the love I have, but no one to give it to. At the moment, I cannot continue the pain of this life.

by Valerie, USA
12 years ago

I never eat breakfast, I never eat lunch. I wish I could, but if I try the food just doesn't go down my throat. When it does I wish it would just come back up. I am not anorexic, nor am I bulimic. I don't hate body but I am insecure. I hate my life, I want it to end. But I can't I have tried everything to get rid of this pain. Cutting. Throwing up. Everything. It doesn't work. Life just isn't what I'm good at. How can I get out of hell?

by Deadroses
4 years ago

I've tried to get out before. My mom cried when she went to the hospital to see me. My best friend didn't seem to care. My mom used to talk about it, look at me, and then get mad at me. It really isn't my fault. There are demons circling my head. I was trying to escape my mind, the sadness, and the pain...