Depression & Suicide Awareness Symptoms, Warning Signs & Stats

More Than Feeling Blue What Is Depression? Depression is a mood disorder in which a person feels extremely sad and hopeless for at least two weeks. Depression Is Serious Depression can take over a person’s life. Without treatment, depression can continue for years.

Depression in the USA

Depression is Dangerous Thoughts of Suicide The most dangerous symptom of depression is suicidal thinking. Suicidal thinking is the desire to take one’s own life. An Emergency Situation Suicidal thinking is an emergency condition. Someone who is thinking about suicide should be taken to a hospital emergency room.

Utah Suicide Statistics: Utah has the 10th highest suicide rate in the nation. Every 11 days, a Utah teenager succeeds in taking his/her own life. More people die from suicide in our state than from motor vehicle traffic crashes.

Utah Suicide Statistics: 32% of teenagers that committed suicide were involved in substance abuse. Mental Illness + Drug Abuse = Deadliest combination

90% of teens who’ve committed suicide in Utah suffered from a mental illness. Only 3% were using medications when they died. Only 2% were active in public mental health treatment.

49 Utah teen suicides were studied and the following barriers were found in getting adequate mental health care: The belief that nothing could help. The belief that seeking help is a sign of weakness or failure. The reluctance to admit to having mental health problems. The denial of problems. The embarrassment about seeking help.

WE HAVE GOT TO HELP EACH OTHER BREAK DOWN THESE BARRIERS, AND NOT BE AFRAID OR ASHAMED TO GET HELP WHEN WE NEED IT!!

Suicide Myths and Facts: True or False?? Studies show that most people who commit suicide have talked about it often in the past. TRUE

The most likely group of people to commit suicide is Caucasian females. FALSE

Suicidal people are always tired, sad, and inactive. FALSE

If a depressed, suicidal person suddenly seems better, it may mean that s/he has decided to commit suicide. TRUE

5. If a suicidal person confides in you and makes you promise not to tell anyone of his/her plan to commit suicide, then it is important to keep that promise. FALSE

Suicide Warning Signs: Talking about suicide Preoccupation with death Statements about hopelessness, helplessness, and/or worthlessness Suddenly happier, calmer Loss of interest in things Visiting or calling people that one cares about Making arrangements; setting one’s affairs in order Giving things away

WHAT DO YOU DO IF YOU SUSPECT SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS CONTEMPLATING SUICIDE? Show that you care about the person. Tell a parent, teacher, or another adult you trust. Get them professional help. www.save.org