Hello,
I would like to start by saying I am very sorry if it is felt I am out of line for posting on your chat, I just didn't know what else to do. I am 16 years old and my name is Charlotte, as you can tell, I'm underage, which limits my everyday life. I feel I've been suffering from depression, at school and required social events I try my best to put on a smile and get through it. I do have friends, and they're alright, but I'd rather stay home. I always feel down on myself, like I'm not good enough and it brings me to tears. Half the time I just cry for no reason at all, I just don't know what's wrong with me. I don't mean to sound sappy and I don't want pity, that's why I am coming to you all for advice. I was raised to not show feelings and I know if I told my father about this (I don't have a mother, she passed) he would laugh in my face and tell me to "tough it out." I want to go to a doctor to get formally diagnosed but obviously, I can't ask my dad to take me. This is where I need advice, what do I do? It's just getting so hard to hide how I feel and I want help, I don't know how to get it. As a minor can I go to a doctor and seek help? Can I afford that? How do I find a doctor? Do I really have a problem, is this just teen nerves? It feels like more than that, if anyone could give me advice I'd appreciate it.

Thank you,
Charlotte.