Depression & Suicide prevention Mental & Emotional Health Unit

Mood disorder A disorder in which a person undergoes changes in mood that seem inappropriate or extreme People who feel sad over a long period of time and for no explainable reason may have a mood disorder

is different from normal sadness in that it engulfs your day-to-day life, interfering with your ability to work, study, eat, sleep, and have fun.

Major depression A very serious mood disorder in which people lose interest in life and can no longer find enjoyment in anything Everyone feels sad from time to time. Having occasional brief periods of sadness does not mean you have a mental or emotional disorder

Depression among teens A teen showing three or more warning signs for more than two weeks may be suffering from depression

Warning signs of depression Irritability, anger, or anxiety Lack of energy; feeling tired all the time Significant change in sleep patterns Inability to concentrate Feelings of worthlessness or guilt Indifference to things that used to bring pleasure Thoughts of death or suicide

What causes depression? Inability to cope with a life crisis  Changes in brain structure Genetic predisposition: the inheritance of genes that increase the likelihood of developing a condition. Low serotonin levels Traumatic family events Physical illness and disorders Alcohol and other drug use

Coping with depression Talk to Someone Treatment Avoid Drugs/Alcohol Stay Social Practice Self-management Skills Resiliency is the ability to adjust, recover, bounce back, and learn from difficult times.

suicide The intentional taking of one’s own life It is important to recognize the warning signs of suicide and seek help if you or someone you know is suffering from severe depression

Para-suicide: is a suicide attempt in which a person does not intend to die. Para-suicide is a cry for help. Some teens who make a suicide attempt and do not intend to die are not found in time, and their attempts end in death. Without help, teens who have attempted suicide once might attempt suicide again.

Warning signs of suicide Teens thinking about suicide often share their plans openly. Many drop hints through their words or actions “I can’t take it anymore” or “No one cares if I live or die” Comments like these are warning signs. You should never assume that they don’t really mean it.

Warning signs of suicide A sudden fascination with the topic of death May talk about different ways of dying or reading/writing poems about death Dramatic changes in the person’s appearance May no longer take interest in his/her appearance Self-destructive behavior May do reckless things (he/she may start using drugs or become sexually active) Withdrawal from friends, family, and regular activities Start letting go of things that were once important May begin giving away valued possessions A sudden change in mood After weeks or months of being depressed, the person suddenly becomes cheerful

Suicide prevention strategies Look for warning signs Listen without giving advice Take suicide threat seriously Ask if have a plan/ follow through Do not swear to secrecy Get an adult involved Stay with them until help arrives

Jordan Burnham Story http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfj3Suuk4Tk&safe=active