Understanding Depression and

Suicide

Do Now

In your own words describe depression. How would someone look, feel, and act that is depressed?

What is the difference between a risk factor and a warning sign?

What is Depression??

Depression: A medical condition that leads to intense feelings of sadness or despair; these feelings don't go away on their own, and are not necessarily related to a particular life event.

What is Depression??A disorder

interferes with daily life & normal functioning – Affects the body, mood, and thoughtscauses pain for both the person with the disorder and those who care about him or her. Depression is a common but serious illness, a medical condition that requires diagnosis and treatmentMost who experience it need treatment to get better.

What Depression is NOT:

It is NOT something to be ashamed of.

It is NOT a character flaw or sign of weakness.

No one with depression can just

“Snap Out of It”.

Who suffers from Depression?

Depression can affect anyone but there is a significantly higher rate of depression among women than men.17 million Americans develop depression each year. 8.6% of adults over 18 have a mental health problem for at least 2 weeks a year.

2% of Children get depressed

6-8% of Teenagers

Cause of Depression: Imbalance of certain chemicals in the brain

Neurotransmitters: Chemicals in the brain that allow nerve cells to "communicate" with one another

Too few or too many neurotransmitters may be released and cause or contribute to depression.

Triggered by stress, medication, or other medical problems

Certain personality factors or genetic traits

What Causes Depression?-Risk Factors-

Family HistoryMajor Life Changes/Transitions

What are some examples?

Alcohol or Drug Use

Symptoms of DepressionMust last for more than 2 weeks:

Persistent sad, anxious or "empty" feelings Feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism Irritability, restlessness Loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurableFatigue and decreased energy

Symptoms of Depression

Difficulty concentrating, remembering details and making decisions Insomnia or excessive sleeping Overeating or appetite loss Thoughts of suicide; suicide attempts *Someone who is suicidal is typically depressed; but not all depressed individuals will have suicidal thoughts.

What Depression IS:

TREATABLE

No matter what the cause of a persons depression, there is treatment and it is widely available!!

Treatment Approximately 80% of people who receive

treatment for Depression improve. There are three types of treatment:

Psychotherapy

Medication

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) a procedure used to treat severe depression. It

may be used in people with symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations, or suicidal thoughts or when other treatments such as psychotherapy and antidepressant medicines have not worked

Psychotherapy…what is it?

Psychotherapy is a form of “talking therapy” that works by helping a person gain an understanding or insight into their problems and work on solving them.

Behavioral psychotherapy is a type of therapy that looks at patterns of behavior that may contribute to depression.

Medication

Anti-depressant Medication helps by affecting the brain chemistry.

Often take 3-5 weeks to become fully effective, but improvement is often experienced within the first week.

They work well and are safe

They are Non-habit forming!

Ect…. Electroconvulsive Therapy Faster acting than most medications

Is usually done on an Out Patient basis

Can be used in combination with medication and therapy

Can be done 2-3 x’s/week for 2-3 weeks or can be used as maintenance therapy for those who remain medication resistant which is done 1x/week until tapering off to 1x/month

ECT…How is it done?ECT is a painless procedure

A person is put to sleep with general anesthesia

Muscle relaxers are used to prevent any injury from the procedure

Oxygen is given by mask during ECT

The whole treatment takes 5 minutes

You are awake, up walking and eating breakfast with one hour. Home within two!

How can I help a friend or relative who is depressed?

Offer emotional support, understanding, patience and encouragement. Engage your friend or relative in conversation, and listen carefully. Never belittle feelings your friend or relative expresses, but point out realities and offer hope. Never ignore comments about suicide

How can I help myself if I am depressed?

Exercise or engage in some form of physical activity.Reduce or eliminate the use of alcohol or drugs.

Don’t expect too much of yourself. Set realistic goals and expectations.Avoid extra stress and big changes. Talk things over with a family member, friend, counselor, etc.Focus on the POSITIVE.

Do Now…

Name 3 symptoms of Depression

Name 3 treatment methods for Depression

To be collected!!!!

Suicidal Behavior A complex behavior caused by a combination of risk factors. The first step of prevention is to identify these risk factors A risk factor is anything that increases the likelihood that someone will harm themselves

Suicide is a PERMANENT solution to a TEMPORARY problem. Life will get better and easier with time and treatment.

Risk FactorsTeens who have attempted suicide previously, especially if problems and other recurring concerns were not completely resolved.Teens with low self esteem Teens in trouble with the law (“Suicide by cop”)Teens who are suffering from depression

Risk FactorsTeens who have been abused, molested, or neglectedTeens who abuse drugs and/or alcoholTeens who are perfectionistsTeens who are struggling with sexual orientation (gays and lesbians)Teens who are in dysfunctional familiesTeens who fail in school – potential dropouts

Warning SignsTalking or writing about suicide or deathGiving direct verbal cues “I wish I were dead” and “I’m going to end it all”Giving less direct cues “You’d be better off without me” “What’s the point of living?”, “Soon you won’t have to worry about me”

Warning SignsIsolating him or herself from friends and familyExpressing a belief that life is meaninglessGiving away prized possessionsExhibiting a sudden unexplained improvement in mood after being depressed

Warning SignsNeglecting his or her appearance and hygieneDropping out of school or social, athletic, and/or community activitiesObtaining a weapon (such as a firearm) or another means of hurting him-herself (such as prescription medication)

FactsIn most cases people talk about suicide before they do it

Most teens attempt it at home

Teenagers attempt suicide by overdosing

Women threaten it, men carry it out more

Often suicide results from some disturbing event

People don’t usually leave evidence or suicide notes

Why Suicide Prevention is Important• Third leading cause of death for teens

• Second leading cause of death in colleges

• For every completion, there are between 50-200 attempts

• CDC Youth Risk Survey: 8.5% grades 9-12 reported attempt in past year

• 25% high school students report suicide ideation

• Attempt rate increasing for 10-14 year olds

• Same risk and protective factors for suicide as other problem behaviors such as drugs, violence, risky sexual activities

Survey- reported that 1 of every 10 American high school students reported making a suicide attempt the year before.

Teenage boys are more likely than girls to commit suicide.

Look for a change in behavior or performance in school

Statistics

Statistics• The 10th leading cause of death in

the U.S.• The cause of approximately 99

deaths of Americans daily.• Suicide is the 6th leading cause of

death among 5-14 year olds• And the 3rd leading cause of death Among 15-24 year olds

Stats cont. Every….

• Year• - there are approximately 10 youth

suicides for every 100,000 youth

•Day• - there are approximately 11 youth

suicides

• 2 Hours and 11 Minutes• - a person under the age of 25 completes

suicide

Myth or Fact?

MYTH: It’s normal for a teenager to be moody.

FACT: Depression can affect all people.

Any age-race-ethnicity

or economic status

Myth or fact?

MYTH: Teens who claim to be depressed are weak and just need to pull themselves together

FACT: Depression is not a weakness, but a serious health disorder. Both young people and adults who are depressed need professional treatment. A trained therapist can help in a variety of ways.

MYTH OR FACT?

Myth: People who talk about suicide won’t really do it.

Fact: Almost everyone who has died by suicide has given some clue or warning. Do not ignore these statements.

Myth or fact?

Myth: Anyone who kills themselves must be crazy

Fact: Most suicidal people are not psychotic or insane. They must be upset, grief stricken, depressed or despairing, but extreme distress and emotional pain are not necessarily signs of mental illness

Myth or fact?

Myth: If a person is determined to kill themselves, nothing is going to stop them

FACT: Even the most severely depressed person has mixed feeling about death, wavering until the very last moment between wanting to live and wanting to die. Most suicidal people do not want death; they want the pain to stop. The impulse to end it all, however overpowering, does not last forever.

MYTH OR FACT

Myth: People who commit suicide are people unwilling to seek help

Fact: Studies of suicide victims show that more than half had sought medical help within six months before their deaths.

MYTH OR FACT?

Myth: Talking about suicide may give someone ideas

Fact: You don’t give a suicidal person morbid ideas by talking about suicide. The opposite is true. Bringing up the subject of suicide and discussing it openly is one of the most helpful things you can do. There is no evidence that screening youth for suicide increases suicidal thinking or behavior

Help•it is okay to ask for help

•talk about traumatic events

•identify trusted adults

•participate inschool & community activities

•Someone is always there to listen

Where to get Help!In School

Student Assistance CounselorsMrs. Kumpf (Room 44A)Mrs. Blake (Library)

School Nurses (So. Building near So. Café)Ms. Masterson Ms. Dello Russo Mrs. Kivetz

Guidance Counselors ANYTeachers TRUSTEDPrincipals ADULT!!Coaches

Where to get Help!

Local HelpSomerset County

(908) 253-3160Morris County

(973) 839-2521 x228

National Suicide Hotlines1-800-SUICIDE1-800-273-TALK

Study Guide….

Test Next Class•Diversity

•Harassment•Internet Safety

•Depression•Suicide