by Laura Tucker
About 16 million American adults live with depression—so lots of kids have a parent who suffers. If you recognized part of your own story in Olympia’s, you’re not alone.
Some other things to know:
Depression doesn’t always mean going to bed. You might notice changes in appetite, a reduced energy level, sad mood, or not being interested in or enjoying activities as much over a few weeks or more.
Your parent’s depression is not their fault; it is an illness. If they could snap out of it, they would.
Your parent’s depression is not your fault, either. You can encourage and support them in getting help, but you can’t make them better.
Sometimes the person suffering can’t ask for the help they need. That’s why it’s important for you to tell another trusted adult in your life about what’s going on. You could talk to an aunt or uncle, a teacher, a coach, a family friend, the parents of one of your friends, or someone from church or temple. It’s okay to talk about it.
You can also call the Mental Health America Helpline 1-800-273-TALK or text MHA to 741741. People there will help you to make sure that your parent gets help, and that you get what you need, too.
Most importantly: depression is treatable. People do get better.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Olympia had some truly amazing champions. Among them: Susanna Einstein, dear friend and one of the best readers I know. My fantastic agent, Faye Bender at The Book Group: I knew from that very first letter that I’d be in good hands, but it wasn’t until I saw you in action that I understood what that meant—thank you. And Kendra Levin, my brilliant editor at Viking, whose wisdom and faith and calm, quiet persistence helped me to make this a much, much better book.
I’m grateful to be inspired and nurtured by a community of tremendous writers, including John Greenberg, Robb Monn, and Joliange Wright. Bottomless thanks to Maria Baker, Ian Caskey, and Doris Vila Licht for their enthusiasm and insights, despite many drafts.
I’d like to thank my teachers at The Writers Studio: Lisa Bellamy, Lesley Dormen, Joel Hinman, and Cynthia Weiner.
I’m also grateful to Ellen Barz, Keiko Niccolini, Polly Shindler, Laura Siegel, Susannah Taylor, and Tracey Walters, as well to my family—Mimi, Bill, and Aaron Crowell; Traci Saxon; my dad, Robert Tucker, and my sister, Sarah. And to everyone at Buttermilk Channel and French Louie, especially my friends Jennifer Joan Nelson and Ellen Simpson.
Love and thanks to Doug Crowell, Olympia’s first and most ferocious champion, and mine too; I’m lucky, lucky, lucky. And kisses to Lily, grey-eyed like the goddess and favorite of all my children—except for Foxy, who is the best.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Laura Tucker has coauthored more than twenty books, including two New York Times bestselling memoirs. She grew up in New York City around the same time as Olympia, and now lives in Brooklyn with her daughter and husband; on Sunday mornings, you can find her at the door of Buttermilk Channel, one of their two restaurants. She is a cat person who cheats with dogs. All the Greys on Greene Street is her first novel.
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