Complex family matters for this teen

Q: I'm 15-years-old and we just moved to a new city. My parents are divorced and I live with my father. I want to tell him that I don't want to live with him anymore, but I'm afraid he might talk a lot of crap to me. What should i do? I also think I'm depressed.

A: Family matters like this can be very tricky, as you are keenly aware. If you are truly afraid of talking to your father about this alone, are there any other adults --family members, friends-- who can help you talk to your father? If so, talk to them first. Perhaps even your mother can intervene on your behalf, depending on the temperature of their relationship.
I'm also concerned that you might be depressed. Have you ever sought help for this? Can you talk to either of your parents about this? At 15 years old, you are allowed to seek treatment on your own, without any parental consent, in certain circumstances in California. Otherwise, one or both of your parents, depending on custody, would have to give consent for you to be treated.
In any event, I urge you to seek treatment right away. You can contact me or any private practitioner of your choice. You can also contact the Department of Mental Health's local community mental health center.
If you are feeling suicidal or like hurting yourself in any way, call the suicide hotline at 1-800-784-2433. You can call them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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