Your dad is unequivocally wrong and most likely has such a resentful view of it because deep down he wishes he had the strength to get help himself. Don’t listen to him, get the help you need.

Unfortunately there are significant numbers of people who grew up believing what your Dad said. Yes, that definitely makes Dad part of the problem and if you project backwards he believes that because that’s what he was taught… Unless your doctor is able to convince Dad that depression is a genuine mental health issue, I do not know how you can convince him. It’s a willful blindness on his part, but it’s also what he grew up with… Depression is very real. I have suffered from it myself at various times in my life. It can have multiple potential causes from the brain chemical imbalance theory to having to cope with your particular circumstances. I myself seemed to have some of both as root causes, I believe. There are medications (antidepressants) that attempt to treat the brain chemical imbalance issue but they all have side effects - It takes a psychiatrist (an MD with training dealing with mental health issues) to optimize such a medication. Psychologists or counselors do not generally have a medical degree and cannot prescribe medications, but they can help you to learn ways to deal with depression that results from the situations you find yourself in and ways to avoid those situations… Antidepressants are fairly quick, but the body develops a tolerance and dosages tend to increase over time leading to more side effects. Counseling takes longer but is ultimately more effective in my own experience and has no side effects. Sometimes, as in my case, both may be part of the treatment plan but in the long run you can often move off the antidepressants if you have taken to heart the counseling and learned better ways to deal with the things stressing you… OP, you have my sympathy. I assume you are relatively young if Dad went to the doctor with you. My own depression started when I was an adolescent (teen years). I had to find my own set of things I could do that helped me when depression hit me then. I think that much of that was due to frustration and fears of how to become a sexual person at the time. My depression later in life was probably triggered by an unhappy marriage and family life that I didn’t want to admit had become unbearable to me. That was when I got professional help… There are a variety of counseling and mental health options. Health insurance in the USA generally pays for mental health treatments from a psychologist, counselor, or psychiatrist - Though the copay depends on the coverage. Most larger schools have a counselor who may be able to help or point you where to find help. Many times employers have mental health counseling programs both for the employee and family members - I have used that and it can help. Many pastors or clerics are able to provide counseling to members of their congregation, but you have to realize that most approach it from a religious point of view - but many are helpful. Friends and family can offer a limited degree of at least listening - But without training they don’t really know how to help and sometimes they are part of the problem itself… OP, whatever you do - DO NOT SELF MEDICATE WITH ALCOHOL OR DRUGS. It can be tempting, but as soon as they wear off you are back with your problems plus new ones from the self-medication. It creates a vicious cycle that can drag you down - Fortunately I did not myself go down that path, but I recognized the temptation… OP, it will get better if you seek help. Not everyone is as willfully blind as your dad. Many of us have gone through this and certainly do not judge you. I hope you are able to get help.

I'm guessing the facility will kick you in the ass and improve your grip strength. That is, if your dad's Rx is correct.

If it makes you feel any better, sounds just like my family.

He obviously needs psychiatric treatment