I'm writing a paper for a class all about suicide/depression. I have a lot of information but there's still questions I feel it would just be easier to ask an expert about. Could I call a suicide hotline and talk to them? Or would that be like.. blocking it for someone who really needs it? Any suggestions on what I should do? Or could someone clear these up for me? :

1. To be classified as depression do you have to have low levels of serotinin?

2. I don't understand how if depression isn't just over-reacting, it is actually a disorder, how events in people's lives can cause it? Did they already have low levels, and this made it worse? Or can bad events send you into low levels of serotinin?

Thanks!!