Depression and Suicide

Angela Borasky

Miwa Nguyen

Anita Pittman

What is Depression?

A disease affecting the entire mind and body, causing a person to feel miserable in many ways.

Changes in brain chemistry make it happen.

Causes – unknown

Can strike normal and healthy people.

Often confused with other illnesses.

Treatable with medications and therapies.

Triggers of Depression in Teenagers

Personal experiences Earlier traumatic experiences Stress Hormonal changes Medical conditions Allergies Nutritional deficiencies Biology

Effects of Depression in Teenagers

Drug and alcohol use

Low self-esteem

Eating disorders

Self injury

Acting out

Suicidal thoughts or attempts

Prevalence of Depression

As many as 8% of adolescents

1-3% of children

5% of all children ages 9-17 have been diagnosed with major depression

Relapse of Depression

20-40% of depressed children relapse within 2 years

70% of depressed children relapse by adulthood

Mood Disorders

Major Depressive Disorder

Dysthymic Disorder

Bipolar Disorder

Cyclothymic Disorder

Major Depressive Disorder

Primary hallmark of this disorder is a depressed mood present for most of the time, nearly every day for at least two weeks.

Depression in adolescence is associated with future problems with depression.

Dysthymic Disorder

Evidenced by depressed or irritable mood for at least one year. This is normally milder than major depressive disorder but can lead to major depressive disorder and can cause impairment in functioning and development.

Co-Morbidity

Depression is highly associated with:

Eating Disorders

Anxiety Disorders

Personality Disturbances

Substance Abuse

Suicidal Ideology

IMPLICATIONS FOR LEARNING

DIFFICULTY WITH:CONCENTRATION

ORGANIZATION

FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS

REMEMBERING ASSIGNMENTS

EXTREME SENSITIVITY TO CORRECTION, FAILURE, OR REJECTION

LACK OF ALERTNESS-DUE TO SLEEP DISRUPTIONS

IMPLICATIONS FOR LEARNING

GETTING TO SCHOOL ON TIME OR GETTING TO SCHOOL AT ALL

FITTING IN SOCIALLY OR ACADEMICALLY

SUBSTANCE ABUSE

DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR

VIOLENCE AND AGGRESSION

LEGAL TROUBLES

SUICIDE

CONSEQUENCES

SCHOOL PERFORMANCE AND LEARNING (Grades, Attendance)SOCIAL INTERACTIONS AND DEVELOPMENT OF NORMAL PEER RELATIONSHIPSSELF-ESTEEM AND LIFE SKILL ACQUISITIONPARENT-CHILD RELATIONS AND CHILD’S SENSE OF BONDING AND TRUST

WHAT CAN BE DONE?

COUNSELORS AND SCHOOLDEVELOP A CARING, SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENTDEVELOP SCHOOL WIDE PROGRAM TO EDUCATE TEACHERS, STUDENTS, AND PARENTSMAKE SURE THERE IS AN INTERVENTION PROTOCOL FOR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS TO FOLLOW COLLABORATE WITH MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALSPROVIDE DIRECT SERVICES TO STUDENTS

DIRECT SERVICES

INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING

GROUP COUNSELING

MENTORING PROGRAMS

COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL CURRICULUM

IMPROVE SOCIAL SKILLS

INCREASE PLEASANT ACTIVITIES

RELAXATION TRAINING

INCREASE POSITIVE THOUGHTS AND DECREASE NEGATIVE THOUGHTS

COMMUNICATION TRAINING

PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS

MAINTAINING GAINS

TEACHER Accommodations

ATTITUDECLASSROOM STRESSBE FLEXIBLEEXPECT DISORGANIZATION AND FORGETFULNESSGIVE THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBTFIND AND PRAISE THE GOODMAKE USE OF FORMAL ACCOMMODATIONSBE COMPASSIONATE

Suggestions for Parents of Depressed Children

Do not minimize the seriousness.

Arrange one interesting activity a day.

Be aware of warning signs of suicide.

Seek counseling.

Consult your family doctor for a complete medical exam.

Adolescent Suicide

Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death in adolescents. Only car accidents and homicide cause more deaths.

22% of depressed children will attempt suicide

About 3-4% of adolescents will have considered suicide in the past two weeks

Risk Factors for Suicide in Teenagers

Previous suicidal behavior History of psychiatric disorder or substance abuse Family history of suicide, psychiatric disorder or substance abuse Loss of parent through any means History of abuse, violence or neglect Social isolation/alienation, including because of being gay or being bullied

Suicide Rates

1-2 out of every 100,000 children under the age of 15 will commit suicide

About 11 out of 100,000 children in the 15-19 age group will commit suicide

20% of male suicides and 14% of female suicides are in the 15-24 year old age group

15-19 Year Olds

86% of teenage suicides occur in this age group

Boys actually kill themselves five times more often than girls

Girls attempt suicide twice as often as boys

Suicide Rates By Nationality

Deaths per 100,000resident population ages 15-24:

Black/African American- 13.0

American Indian/Alaskan Native- 35.3

Asian/Pacific Islander- 8.7

Hispanic- 12.7

White- 12.4

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