PREFACE When I decided to become a librarian in 2006, I had no idea that I would become a teen mental health advocate. In 2008, after recovering from my one and, hopefully, only major depressive disorder, I got my first full-­time position as a teen library assistant. Over the next six years, I came to know many amazing young people who have had a profound effect on my life. This fueled my passion to advocate for teens, and I have since dedicated my career to making sure that teens are prepared to tackle anything but, at the same time, know they are supported and cared for. As someone who experienced depression, I know that mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, mental illness is just like any other illness that can be managed. Furthermore, people with mental illness can and do live very successful lives. It is important that teens be made aware of this. While teens come into the library for all sorts of reasons, there will always be a handful of teens who see the library as the only place they feel safe enough to ask for help. If you find yourself in a situation with one of these teens, know that you can help, even if only by listening. This may sound uncomfortable, but rest assured that you are not expected to diag- nose or provide medical care. Unless you are a licensed clinical social worker, psychologist, or a psychiatrist, you are not obligated to treat teens with mental illness and, in fact, should not attempt to do so. However, as
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