WelcomeWelcomeDepression

Organisedand Supported by

“On Track” Community Health Project

Mallee Track Health & Community Service

Presented by

Bernard DennerSpecial Projects Manager

MTH&CS

What WE are looking at today

•A bit about me

•Communication

•Depression

Who am I?

Bernard DennerHealth Educator /Projects Manager

Bloke 52 yearsDivorced 12 yearsDaughters - 15 and 17 years

Vietnam Veteran 3RAR…Infantry

My work since 1994 focuses on providing Programs that address issues associated with:

Men

Adolescents

Workplace Health

Women Understanding Men

and Farmsafety in Primary Schools

mannet.com.auAverages monthly:

80 to 90,000+ hits

5,250+ sessions

40% interest from North America

Rated in Top 15% of 1.7M www domains

“Who said men weren’t interested

in their health”

Australian Mortality Rates National - 1999

15-24 years

Cause of Death Males Females %Rate

Suicide 398 71 435%

Cancer 95 47 202%

Leukemia 35 11 318%

Transport Accident 407 116 350%

Drugs 68 27 251%

Source: Causes of Death, ABS, 1999

Australian Mortality Rates Loddon Mallee Health Region - 1994

Cause of Death Males Females %Rate

Suicide 25 7 357%

Cancer 309 230 134%

Heart Disease 122 49 248%

Source: DHS, Measures of Health Status and Health Services in Victoria, 1994

Depression

What is Depression?

Where you feel unhappy and it goes on longer than for a week.

A feeling of sadness/loneliness that you can’t snap out of or Brush it Off.

What can cause Depression in Adolescents

•Lack of friends

•School results

•Broken relationships

•Concern over sexuality

•Bullying

•Lack self esteem

•Future

How do you recognise Depression?

Sometimes it is hard to recognise.

Some of the signs are:

•Isolating yourself from other people

•Feeling lonely / unloved - especially by family / friends

•Feeling that no-one understands or cares

•Feeling out of sorts / grumpy / irritable

•Feeling tired all the time

•Don’t really feel like eating

•Unable to concentrate

•Feeling like your life is out of your control

•Not really feeling happy

Depression can make you feel

or think about

SUICIDE or SELF Harm

As a way to stop That feeling

A way out of what is happening

What do you do whenyou feel like this?

•Admit to yourself that

this is the way you feel

•Find someone that you can talk to and who will listen

Your Parent/s Family Doctor

Your friend/s School Welfare

Relatives A Teacher

Depression is something that affects all of us from time-to-time.

We need to recognise that Life Sucks from time-to-time.

We don’t always achieve what we want.

We don’t always get what we want.

Relationships / Friends come and go.

School is only a part of Life.

We have to recognise that

‘Shit happens’

That we can move on

But sometimes some people

need support to cope

There’s no Shame in feeling

Depressed

Lonely

Pissed off with the world

Feeling like a loser

a Nobody

Sometimes we all have days and times

when we feel like that

But when those feelings are there

all the time,

day after day,

week after week,

get help.

How you can help a Depressed Friend

•Keep an eye out for them

•If you feel that they are having trouble coping with things and are drinking or drug taking more than usual - talk to an adult about what to do

•If your friend starts crying in front of you - hold them, let them talk and then see if they will seek some help or Allow you for them

Accessing Your ....

Family Doctor

Welfare Worker

Secondary School Nurse

Social Worker

Youth Worker

Friend/Family friend

Ring up for a chat first

or email him / her

Talk about your issue

Make a time that you feel is

Comfortable

and

Confidential

Communication in all aspects of Life is Important

Whether it be with adults, friends, family or members of the opposite sex

Good communication is the Solution

to lots of problems

ALWAYS THINK ABOUT

How would you

Like to be TREATED

… OTHERS DESERVE

the SAME

As a personYOU need to be

Healthy and Happy

THAT YOU FEEL GOOD

About YOURSELF

Most of the TIME

Why .....?• So that you don’t put

yourself at risk,

• or your relationships

at risk

Who’s A Winner

The person who does their best.

That they achieve their Personal Best.

THEY are a Winner.Source: Bernard Denner

Inspired by Simon Madden

Adolescence

is a

GOOD TIME

of Life

ENJOY IT