Depression and Suicide

Depression Experienced with loss or failure -ex. friend moving away, getting cut from a team Usually will lift after a few days or weeks

Clinical Depression Mood disorder in which one experiences feelings of despair, sadness, and hopelessness for prolonged periods of time Unable to enjoy activities that were once a source of pleasure People become unable to accomplish their daily tasks

Clinical Depression (cont) Can cause problems at school, home, and in one’s social life If untreated, can lead to substance abuse, serious behavior problems, and even suicide

Recognizing Depression It is normal to be moody, irritable, or tired at times About one in 12 teens will experience clinical depression before 18 After 15, females are twice as likely as males to suffer from depression Some teens may have a single episode of clinical depression; others experience more than one episode of depression

Signs of Clinical Depression Change in appetite; significant weight gains or losses Change in sleep patterns; difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much Change in activity level; sluggish or frantic Loss of interest in usual activities Loss of energy; always tired Hopelessness; excessive guilt Difficulty thinking/ concentrating Repeated thoughts of death and suicide

Risk Factors Depression rarely appears “out of the blue” Risk factors identified for depression: A parent or biological relative with a mood disorder A major life change or prolonged stressful situation Being a victim of a violent crime or witnessing violence A previous bout of depression A sense of hopelessness

Treatment for Depression Medication: Chemicals in brain control how signals pass from once nerve cell to another Depression inhibits the brain from using these chemicals properly Medication helps to restore normal brain functions Mental health professionals: Provide new strategies for coping

Self-Injury Unhealthy way to cope with emotions, stress, or traumatic events Way of trying to “feel better” Provides temporary relief from painful feelings Cutting Burning

Self-Injury: Cutting (cont) Cutting: the use of a sharp object to intentionally cut or scratch ones body deep enough to bleed Often begins on an impulse Way to distract oneself from unbearable feelings of rejection and helplessness Way of controlling things

Self-Injury: Cutting (cont) Unhealthy coping mechanism: people who do it have not developed healthy ways of dealing with strong emotions, intense pressure, or upsetting relationship problems. Compulsive behavior - The more a person does it, the more he or she feels the need to do it. The brain starts to connect the false sense of relief; craves this relief the next time tension builds. Can seem impossible to stop; an addiction

Self-Injury: Cutting (cont) The urge to cut might be triggered by strong feelings the person can't express - such as anger, hurt, shame, frustration, or depression. People who cut or self-injure sometimes have other mental health problems Ex. depression, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, obsessive thinking, or compulsive behaviors

Self-Injury: Cutting (cont) What Can Happen to People Who Cut? The troubles that triggered the cutting remain, they're just masked over Possible to misjudge the depth of a cut, making it so deep that it requires stitches Cuts can become infected if a person uses non-sterile or dirty cutting instruments - razors, scissors, pins, or even the sharp edge of the tab on a can of soda. Most people who cut aren't attempting suicide

Suicide The intentional killing of oneself Affects all kinds of people: young, old, smart, rich, poor, average Most suicides occur without warning Between 1950 and 1990 teen suicide rate quadrupled (declined since 1990)

Suicide Facts 3rd leading cause of death for ages 10 to 24, 2nd leading cause for ages 25-34, and 4th leading cause for ages 35-54. 11 people between 15-24 die every day Within every 2 hours and 15 minutes, a person under 25 commits suicide Males are more likely to be successful in committing suicide Firearms most commonly used in suicides (account for 57% of all suicides)

Suicide Facts (cont) Females are more likely to attempt suicide Black youths have shown the largest increase in suicide rates (still lower than whites) Most teen suicides occur after school hours and at home Likely that 3 students in every classroom have attempted suicide in the last year Not all attempters may admit their intent

Suicide facts (cont) 1 out of 16 people diagnosed with depression eventually end their life by suicide Risk of suicide in people with depression is 20 times greater then general population Alcohol and drug dependent people at greater risk Suicide rate is highest for elderly (85+) Suicide is preventable; some give warning signs Surviving family members at higher risk of suicide and emotional problems

Cluster Suicides Suicides and suicide attempts can trigger other suicides Cluster suicides: a series of suicides that occur within a short period of time in the same peer group or community Some can involve a pact between friends Some occur in response to an initial suicide Immediate counseling after a suicide can help to prevent cluster suicides

Suicide Risk Factors Mood Disorders (depression) Previous attempt or family history of suicide Having both a mental disorder and a substance abuse disorder Feelings of hopelessness or isolation Lack of access to mental health treatment Being influenced by the suicide of family members, peers, or celebrities

Suicide Protective Factors Treatment of mental disorders Getting treatment for substance abuse Becoming connected to school/community Gaining close relationships with family, friends, others Having personal beliefs that discourage suicide

Helping Others: Suicide Prevention Take all threats seriously Privately let the person know that you are concerned Remind them that suicide cannot be reversed Reassure them that many people contemplate suicide but don’t actually do it Listen to suicide plans; can indicate how permanent plans are

Helping Others: Suicide Prevention Share your own experiences Never be sworn to secrecy; may lose a friendship, but may save a life Be honest about contacting family members Become familiar with the local services/ contacts and make appropriate referrals

Helping Yourself: Suicide Prevention Remember that suicide is NEVER a solution to problems Talk to an adult or mental health professional Explore resources at school (nurse, counselor, psychologist) Be honest about suicidal thoughts Contact a 24 hour crisis center