1. A prolonged feeling of helplessness, hopelessness, and sadness.
What Is Depression?
A prolonged feeling of helplessness, hopelessness, and sadness.
It can be a crippling disease and may lead to suicide.
Can affect your daily thoughts and behaviors
1 out of 8 adolescents
have depression
Only 1 in 5 depressed
teens get help

2. What Causes Depression?
Physical: Chemical imbalance within the brain. (puberty)
Psychological: A mental disorder most often related to stress. (peer pressure, academic expectation)
Other Factors: Family history, Major life stresses, Physical illness, Drug abuse, Gender.

3. Possible Signs of Depression?
Sadness
Frequently angry or irritable
Change in Eating Habits
Change in Sleep Habits
Loss of Self-Esteem
Withdraw from Life
Extreme and Sudden Mood Changes

4. Potential Long term effects of teen depression
Problems at school
Creates family conflict
Violence
Run away
Abuse alcohol and/or drugs
Participate in reckless behavior
Develop internet addictions
GET HELP!!

5. How To Help Someone With Depression?
Talk to them- Don’t dwell on the negative or challenging aspects & focus on the positive things in their life.
Listen- Get them to talk.
Show understanding
Get them to suggest alternatives -Put things into perspective.

6. Help Continued Exercise. Don’t tell them “THINGS ARE NOT THAT BAD.”
If it lasts longer than 2 weeks, seek help, hotlines, counselors, & trusted adults.

7. ____ A suicide attempt is just a bid for attention and ignoring it will discourage another attempt.
____ Suicide is preventable.
____ People who talk about taking their own lives never do it.
____ People who attempt suicide want to die.
____ 5. Asking a deeply depressed person if he or she has thoughts about suicide will plant the idea in the persons mind.

9. SUICIDE IS A PERMANENT SOLUTION TO A TEMPORARY PROBLEM
5,000 attempts a day
SUICIDE IS A PERMANENT SOLUTION TO A TEMPORARY PROBLEM
Suicide is the 2nd leading
Cause of death for teens.

10. What are the Signs of Suicidal Risk?
4 out of 5 teens
give warning signs
Writing (poems, stories)
about death/suicide
Giving Things Away
Moody - Quiet
Self Destructive Behavior
Talk About It
Have a Will
Change in Eating & Sleeping Habits
Withdrawal
Precipitating Events
Argument w/loved one
Break-up
Behavioral issues
(getting in trouble)

11. What You Can Do To Help! DON’T LEAVE THEM ALONE!
1.Determine the Danger.
ASK who, what, where, when, why, & how
2.Deal with the actual plan.
Remove the potential for suicide. Or
Remove the means.
Determine the method.
DON’T LEAVE
THEM ALONE!

12. Tell someone - teachers, counselors, parents, or suicidal hotlines.
3. Get professional HELP.
Tell someone - teachers, counselors, parents, or suicidal hotlines.
4.Take RESPONSIBILITY for saving your friend’s life.
5. Write a contract for life.
Call talk (8255)
Suicide Video