STRESS

Stress Stress- is the body’s response to physical or mental demands or pressure. Stressors- The physical or mental demands. Stress is a normal part of life. Many events that happen to you and around you -- and many things that you do yourself -- put stress on your body. You can experience stress from your environment, your body, and your thoughts.

Stress Stress can be positive, keeping us alert and ready to avoid danger. Stress becomes negative when a person faces continuous challenges without relief or relaxation between challenges. Stress that continues without relief can lead to a condition called distress -- a negative stress reaction. Distress can lead to physical symptoms including headaches, upset stomach, elevated blood pressure, chest pain, and problems sleeping. Research suggests that stress also can bring on or worsen certain symptoms or diseases. Stress also becomes harmful when people use alcohol, tobacco, or drugs to try and relieve their stress. Instead of relieving the stress and returning the body to a relaxed state, these substances tend to keep the body in a stressed state and cause more problems.

Stages of Stress Alarm Stage- A quick physical warning. When you have fear your body releases adrenaline (a hormone that causes a rush of energy) into your body. Your body also encounters the fight or flight response (blood rushes from your stomach and other organs into your arms, legs, and brain). You can either fight all you can, or flee as fast as you can. Flight or Fight response Resistance- Starts when your body fights or flees, your body is working against the stress. We begin to cope (acting to correct the problem, using defense mechanisms), to be able to deal with the stress. Exhaustion- If the stress last to long then you may move into this stage, when your body’s defenses against stress are used up and you are unable to fight or flee the stress. Can no longer resist the stressor. Often become ill.

Body’s Response to Stress Brain is stimulated Heart beats faster, increasing blood flow to brain and muscles Muscles tighten, becoming ready for action Breathing becomes faster and deeper – more oxygen enters the body Stomach and intestines slow down to save energy

Real Stress Test STRESS SCALE FOR YOUTH In the following table you can look up representative changes in your life and see how much stress value each of these changes is adding to your life. NOTE ANY ITEM THAT YOU MAY HAVE EXPERIENCED IN THE LAST TWELVE MONTHS. Then, total up your score.

Real Stress Test Stress Event Value Death of spouse, parent, boyfriend/girlfriend 100 Divorce 65 Puberty Pregnancy (or causing pregnancy) Marital Separation or Breakup with boyfriend/girlfriend 60 Jail Term or Probation Death of other family member Broken engagement 55 Engagement 50 Serious personal injury or illness 45 Marriage Beginning next level of school (J.H., H.S., College) Change in independence or responsibility Any drug or alcohol use Fired at work or expelled from school Change in Alcohol or drug use

Getting back together with family or girlfriend/boyfriend 40 Trouble at school Serious health problems of a family member Working while attending school 35 Working more than 40 hours per week Changing course of study Change in frequency of dating Confusion of sexual identity Gain of new family member (birth, remarries, adopts) Change in work responsibilities Change in financial state Death of a close friend (not family member) 30 Change to different kind of work Change in number of arguments with mate, family, or friends Sleep less than 8 hours per night 25 Trouble with in-laws or boyfriend’s/girlfriend’s family Outstanding personal achievement (Adapted from the "Social Readjustment Rating Scale" by Thomas Holmes and Richard Rahe. This scale was first published in the "Journal of Psychosomatic Research", Copyright 1967, vol.II p. 214. It is used by permission of Pergamon Press Ltd.)

Total Mate or parents starts or stops working 20 Begin or end school Change in living conditions Change in personal habits (start or stop smoking) Chronic allergies Trouble with the boss Change in work hours 15 Change of residence Presently in pre-menstrual period Change in religious activity Change to a new school (other than graduation) 10 Going in debt (you or your family) Change in frequency of family gatherings Vacation Presently in winter holiday season Minor violation of the law 5 Total

Stress Control ABC Strategy A= Awareness B= Balance C= Control What causes you stress? How do you react? B= Balance There is a fine line between positive/negative stress. How much can you cope with before it becomes negative? C= Control What can you do to help yourself combat the negative effects of stress?

Stress Management/Busters Thinking Positively Get Organized (check off list) Time Management Humor Take a time out Changing Lifestyle Diet Reduce or stop Smoking and Alcohol Exercise Sleep Relaxation Talk, vent to someone Breathing

SUICIDE

Warning Signs The following are warning signs, and I am not stating that if you have any of these warning signs that you are suicidal. While we go through this information remember that these are warning signs. The warning signs may be red flags for you are those around you to seek and get help. Remember most importantly that help is available.

Facts on Suicide Teenage suicide is preventable. When a person is depressed, they are NOT thinking, feeling, or acting the way they normally do. We must get them help, to get them back on track. We must learn what the warning signs are and who is at higher risk. Among young people aged 15-24, suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death, behind accidents and homicide. 2nd leading cause of death for people age 25-35. In 2013, 1 person committed suicide every 12.8 minutes. 41,149 suicides.

Facts on Suicide In US, suicide rates are highest during spring. 1 suicide for every 25 attempts Males make up 79% of all suicides, while women are more prone to having suicidal thought. Each suicide intimately affects at least 6 other people. 4 out of 5 teens who attempted suicide have given clear warning signs.

Verbal Signs of Suicide (7) “I can’t go on anymore” “I wish I was never born” “I wish I was dead” “I won’t need this anymore” “My parents wont have to worry about me anymore” “Everyone would be better off if I was dead” “Life sucks. Nobody cares if I live or die”

Students who are at High Risk (10) Teenagers who have attempted suicide previously, especially if problems and other recurring concerns were not completely resolved Teenagers with little self-esteem Teenagers in trouble with the law Teenagers who are suffering from depression Teenagers who have been abused, molested, or neglected

Students who are at High Risk (10) Teenagers who abuse drugs and/or alcohol Teenagers who are perfectionists Teenagers who are struggling with sexual orientation (gays and lesbians) Teenagers who are in dysfunctional families Teenagers who fail in school-potential dropouts

Warning Signs (8) A recent suicide in the family or friend. Teens are especially vulnerable when a close family member or friend commits suicide. The grieving process and depression can interrupt normal thought processes. Trouble coping with recent losses, death, divorce, moving, break-ups, etc. Experience with a traumatic event. Sometimes a significant traumatic event can create feelings of hopelessness and despair Making final arrangements, such as writing a will or eulogy, or taking care of details (i.e. closing a bank account)

Warning Signs (8) Gathering of lethal weapons (purchasing weapons, collecting pills, etc.). Giving away prized possessions such as clothing, CD’s, sports equipment, treasured jewelry, etc. Preoccupation with death, such as death and/or ‘dark’ themes in writing, art, music lyrics, etc. Note that today’s music has more of this and is not necessarily related to suicidal feelings. Sudden changes in personality or attitude, appearance, chemical use, or school behavior.

Suicide Myths – True/False (7) Teenagers who talk about attempting suicide are doing it for attention. TRUE, and they need the attention. There is something going on that’s causing them to feel this way. They need people to listen, and professionals to help them.) All teenagers who are suicidal are depressed. TRUE, but the reverse is not true, most people will experience times in their lives when they are depressed, but have no suicidal ideation.)

Suicide Myths (7) Suicidal people really want to die, so there’s no way to stop them. FALSE. They are depressed and need help. With help, they can feel better and find other solutions. Talking about suicide will cause a student to attempt suicide. FALSE. It is just the opposite: not talking about it could escalate the problem. If a person really wants to kill himself or herself, no one has the right to stop him or her. FALSE. We would help a person who was physically sick or injured; we need to help a person who is mentally ill.

Suicide Myths (7) Once a person is suicidal, they’re suicidal forever. FALSE. Teens who are suicidal can go on to lead useful lives, once they get help. Usually the suicidal feelings are for a limited period of time. Improvement following a suicidal crisis means that the suicide risk is over. FALSE. Most suicides occur within 3 months following the beginning of “improvement”, when the teen has the energy to put their morbid thoughts and feeling into effect. Relatives and physicians should be especially vigilant during this period.

WHERE TO GET HELP School Home Professional Suicide Prevention Hotline Councilors Administration Teachers Home Parents Siblings Friends Professional Hotlines Therapists Suicide Prevention Hotline 1(800)273-TALK(8255)