Personal Development and HealthUnit 1: Emotional Wellness

DEPRESSION AND SUICIDE:

A LETHAL COMBINATION

Approximately 2 Million American teens suff er from severe depression

25% of high school students seriously consider suicide each year

Over the past 35 years, the youth suicide rate in the US has tripled

Suicide is the 3 rd leading cause of death in young people (ages 15-24)

14 young people commit suicide everyday

That is one suicide every hour and 40 minutes

FACTS ABOUT SUICIDE

Depression is triggered by a complex combination of: Genetic Factors

Inherited from your parents Psychological Factors

Personality traits or a chemical imbalance of the brain Environmental Factors

Stress Peer Pressure

Depression is treatable and something you should NOT be ashamed of! It is the #1 cause of suicide if untreated. Early recognition and treatment of depression can save lives!

CAUSES OF DEPRESSION

What kind of pressures do teens face that can cause depression?

Social MediaPeer PressureSexual ImagesSelf Esteem IssuesLack of stress management skills

PRESSURES TEENS FACE TODAY

The blue is TEMPORARY You normally just feel sad because of something that

happened that day, but you get over it usually within a day or two

Symptoms of Depression You feel hopeless and helpless like nothing can fix it. I feel sad, like crying all of the time I feel alone, empty, frustrated, restless, disorganized, self

conscious, scared, mad and guilty My life has no direction I can’t concentrate, remember things or make decisions. I feel like I am in a fog Nothing makes me feel better

THE “BLUES” VS. DEPRESSION

EXERCISEEATING HEALTHYBEING MORE POSITIVESTRESS MANAGEMENT RIDDING YOURSELF/ IGNORING THE PEOPLE WHO ARE

MAKING YOU FEEL DEPRESSED

WAYS TO HELP YOUR DEPRESSION

Previous suicide attemptsVerbalizing a suicide threatGiving away prized posessionsCollecting and disucssing information on suicide

methodsExpressing a lot of feelings of hopelessness,

helplessness and anger towards oneself or the worldThemes of death or depression in conversation,

writing, reading or artworkSuggesting that they would not be missed if they

were goneScratching or marking of the body or other self

destructiveness

SYMPTOMS/DANGER SIGNS OF SUICIDE

Recent loss of a friend or family member through death or suicide or other personal “losses” such as divorce

Acute personality changes, unusually withdrawn, aggressive, moody or new involvement in risky behaviors

Sudden dramatic decline or improvement in grades, tardies or running away

Physical symptoms such as eating disturbances, sleeplessness, chronic headaches or stomach aches, menstrual irregularities or apathetic appearance

Use or increased use of substancesLOOK FOR SUDDEN CHANGES IN BEHAVIOR THAT ARE

SIGNIFICANT!!!!!!!

MORE DANGER SIGNS…

Share honestly how you are feelingPositive Self ThoughtStress Management SkillsConfl ict Resolution SkillsHealthy Decision Making Skills

Is it safe? Is it healthy? Is it legal? Does it respect myself and others? Does it respect my parents wishes?

Use Eff ective Communication Skills (I feel…when you…because..)

Know the signs of depression and suicide and GET PROFESSIONAL HELP!

HOW TO PREVENT SUICIDE

1. Share your concern “I care/ I love….I see…. I feel…. LISTEN…I want…. I will…

2. Ask the Question “Are you thinking about suicide??”

3. Safety Ask them how they plan to hurt themselves, but keep

yourself safe Do they have a plan? Is it Lethal, is it specific, is it available?

4. STAY WITH THEM!!!!!!!!! The peak of a crisis can last a few minutes or even a few

hours5. Tell Someone

As much as we would like to we do NOT have the medical skills needed to help our friend

Contact a Counselor, Parent, Pastor and Physician

HOW TO INTERVENE

1-800-SUICIDE1-800-DONTCUT911

NUMBERS TO CALL

#3: How has suicide affected your life? What could you do to prevent suicide in yourself or someone you love?

JOURNAL ASSIGNMENT

Read the letter Paula sent to her friend

Identify the warning signs you see in the letter and write them down in the pie chart on the worksheet

LETTER TO PAULA