Kari Lyn S. Wampler, MA LMFT Adolescent Depression and Suicide

Statistics: Recent studies show that, at any given time, as many as one in every 8 adolescents may be struggling with depression Recent studies show that, at any given time, as many as one in every 8 adolescents may be struggling with depression Another study shows that greater that 20% of adolescents in the general population have emotional problems and one-third of adolescents attending psychiatry clinics suffer from depression. Another study shows that greater that 20% of adolescents in the general population have emotional problems and one-third of adolescents attending psychiatry clinics suffer from depression. Suicide is the third leading cause of death for year olds (approx 5000 young people). Suicide is the third leading cause of death for year olds (approx 5000 young people). The rate of suicide for this age group has nearly tripled since 1960, making it the third leading cause of death in adolescents and the second leading cause of death among college age youth. The rate of suicide for this age group has nearly tripled since 1960, making it the third leading cause of death in adolescents and the second leading cause of death among college age youth. Taken from: Dept of Human Services, Canadian Journal of CME & American Academy of Child and Psychiatry

Contributing Factors Depression Depression

Symptoms of Depression: Insomnia/hypersomnia Insomnia/hypersomnia Significant change in Weight Significant change in Weight Dramatic drop in grades Dramatic drop in grades Loss of interest Change in Eating Habits Loss of interest Change in Eating Habits *****Irritability****** *****Irritability****** Chemical Use Chemical Use Suicide Ideation Suicide Ideation Hopelessness Hopelessness Family History Family History Bio, Psycho, Social Bio, Psycho, Social

Contributing Factors Depression Depression Adolescent Brain Development Adolescent Brain Development

Adolescent Brain

Adolescent Brain Development High in impulsivity High in impulsivity High in risk taking behavior High in risk taking behavior Low in Choice and Consequences Low in Choice and Consequences Low in Empathy Low in Empathy

Contributing Factors Depression Depression Adolescent Brain Development Adolescent Brain Development Chemical Use Chemical Use Loss (real or imagined) Loss (real or imagined) Exposure to Suicide Exposure to Suicide

Signs of suicide talking about suicide or death in general talking about "going away" referring to things they "won't be needing," and giving away possessions talking about feeling hopeless or feeling guilty pulling away from friends or family and losing the desire to go out having no desire to take part in favorite things or activities having trouble concentrating or thinking clearly experiencing changes in eating or sleeping habits engaging in self-destructive behavior (drinking alcohol, taking drugs, or cutting, for example)

Suicide Assessment Assessing lethality Assessing lethality –Determine Frequency and Intensity of Suicidal thoughts –Determine if there is a plan for suicide –Determine access to weapons, pills, etc. involved in the plan –Determine level of Supervision –Check for previous attempts

Low Probability Do immediate problem solving Do immediate problem solving Help them find a Counselor/Therapist Help them find a Counselor/Therapist Create no suicide Contract Create no suicide Contract Give Crisis numbers Give Crisis numbers Involve Parents Involve Parents Follow Up Follow Up

Moderate Probability Ask them to relinquish any weapons, pill, etc. Ask them to relinquish any weapons, pill, etc. Consider Changes in Environment Consider Changes in Environment Assess chemical use Assess chemical use

High Probability Do not leave their side. Do not leave their side. Get professionals involved Get professionals involved –Call 911 –take them to an ER or Mental Health Triage –Inform parents

What can We Do?

Suicide Prevention Therapy Therapy  Family Based Therapy  CBT  DBT Medication Medication Bullying Prevention Bullying Prevention

Suicide Prevention Purpose for Life Purpose for Life Distress Tolerance: Keeping it in perspective Distress Tolerance: Keeping it in perspective Show ‘em how to do it Show ‘em how to do it Involvement in a Faith Community Involvement in a Faith Community

Faith Based Community Those who attend church regularly are 4 times less likely to commit suicide. P.F. Fagan, "Why religion matters: The impact of religious practice on social stability," at: William T. Martin, "Religiosity and United States Suicide Rates, ," Journal of Clinical Psychology, Vol. 40 (1984), pp (Cited in Ref. 3)

Why? Community Community  With community comes a stronger sense of self, more rooted Greater Purpose Greater Purpose  Life isn’t only about them. God is in charge of life God is in charge of life  Not them Hope Hope  When there is nothing left to hope for

Our Hope……… JOB JOB Psalm 69 Psalm 69 2 Corinthians 4: Corinthians 4:17-18  For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.

Kari Lyn S. Wampler MA, LMFT Deo’ Advocates Counseling Services