Depression & Suicide

Stigma All unfavorable attitudes, beliefs, and policies directed toward people as well as toward their significant others and loved ones, close associates, social groups, and communities.  Mental Illness  Addiction  HIV/AIDS  STD/STIs  Sexual Identity

Statistics One in four women and one in six men will suffer from depression at some point in their life.

What is Depression? Prolonged feelings of:  Hopelessness  Helplessness  Sadness  Guilt

Metaphor Walking in the woods…

Metaphor cont.

Some Depression is “Normal” Reactive Depression is an adjustment disorder with a depressed mood. This means something traumatic happened in your life, such as a break up or loss of a job, and you become mildly to moderately depressed as a result.

Major Depression AKA Clinical Depression, is marked by a combination of symptoms that appear and last for at least two weeks without significant improvement.

Persistent Depressive Disorder Depressed mood that lasts for at least two years  A person diagnosed with persistent depressive disorder may experience episodes of major depression along with periods of less severe symptoms, but symptoms must last for at least two years.

Signs of Major Depression It is said that symptoms from at least five of the following categories must be present for major depression. Some of them are indicators of a depression, but not major depression. The list is not exhaustive, and is not meant to diagnose, if you have some of these symptoms, talk to someone you trust (a counselor, doctor, parent, teacher, etc.).

Symptoms  Persistent depressed, sad, anxious, or empty mood  Feeling worthless, helpless, or experiencing guilt  Hopeless about the future, excessive pessimistic feelings  Loss of interest in your usual activities  Decreased energy and chronic fatigue  Irritability or restlessness or agitation  Disturbances in sleeping or eating patterns  Substance abuse  Recurring thoughts of death, or suicidal thoughts of actions

Causes of Depression Family history Trauma and stress Physical conditions Other psychological disorders

Depression: A Brain & Body Disease US cost in $50 Billion  Depression increases chances of dying from heart attack  Depression increases chance of stroke, diabetes, and osteoporosis  Treating depression helps control diabetes

Depression and Exercise Working out may feel like the last thing you want to do when you are depressed BUT regular exercise…  Releases “feel-good” brain chemicals (endorphins) that help ease depression  Reduces immune system chemicals that can worsen depression  Increases body temperature, which can have calming effects Regular exercise can also help  Gain confidence  Take your mind off your worries  Get more social interaction  Cope in a healthy way

Exercise doesn’t have to mean running laps around the track… Garden Wash your car (or your parent’s) Walk around the block Do a little bit every day:  Take the stairs instead of the elevator  Park your car far away from the store  Bike to school or work

Failure to Identify and Treat Depression is Often Fatal In 2013, there were 41,149 deaths by suicide in the US  800,000 worldwide Every day approximately 105 Americans die by suicide There is one death by suicide in the US every 13 minutes  One every 40 seconds in the world Only half of all Americans experiencing an episode of major depression receive treatment

The Link Between Depression and Suicide 90% of the people who die by suicide have an existing mental illness or substance abuse problem at the time of their death. Untreated depression is the number one cause for suicide

But There is HOPE 80%- 90% of people that seek treatment for depression are treated successfully using therapy and/or medication An estimated quarter million people each year become suicide SURVIVORS

Warning Signs of Suicide Depression Lack of energy Withdrawn Drop in grades Giving away possessions Extreme sensitivity Increased risk taking Change to apathy or moody Sudden upbeat mood Neglect or change in appearance Rebellious behavior Irrational or bizarre behavior

If You See the Warning Signs of Suicide Begin a dialogue by asking questions (in a non- judgmental, non-confrontational way)  “Do you ever feel so badly that you think about suicide?”  “Have you thought about when/how you would do it?” Never keep a plan for suicide a secret  Don’t worry about risking a friendship if you feel a life is in danger, you have bigger things to worry about (someone’s life in danger!)

If You See the Warning Signs of Suicide Don’t try to minimize problems or shame a person into changing their mind  Reassure them that help is available, that what they are experiencing is treatable, and suicidal feelings are temporary.  They don’t want to hear you try and convince them that “it’s not that bad” If you feel the person isn’t in immediate danger, acknowledge the pain is legitimate and offer to work together to get help  But make sure you FOLLOW THROUGH!

Suicide A _______________ solution to a ________________ problem.

Where to go if You Need Help Social Workers Guidance Counselors Teachers Parents Religious Leaders Friends

What to Do If you are having suicidal thoughts call:  911  TALK (8255) the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Describe a time when you needed help. How did you feel when you needed help? Who helped you? How did it make you feel?