1. Preventing Suicide Humble ISD

2. What is depression? …more than the blues or the blahs; it is more than the normal every day ups and downs.

3. Causes of Clinical Depression Genetic link to depressive disorders Genetic link to depressive disorders Life experiences can increase the chances of becoming depressed. Life experiences can increase the chances of becoming depressed.

4. Incidence of Depression Will affect more than 19 million Americans this year. Will affect more than 19 million Americans this year. 1/4 of all women will suffer at least one episode during their lifetimes. 1/4 of all women will suffer at least one episode during their lifetimes. 1/8 of all men will suffer at least one episode during their lifetimes. 1/8 of all men will suffer at least one episode during their lifetimes. 3-5% of the teen population experiences clinical depression every year. 3-5% of the teen population experiences clinical depression every year.

5. Is it serious? Assume it is serious Assume it is serious Linked to poor school performance, truancy, alcohol and drug abuse, running away, and feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness Linked to poor school performance, truancy, alcohol and drug abuse, running away, and feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness Suicide is often linked to depression. Suicide is often linked to depression. Suicide rate among teenagers and young adults has increased dramatically. Suicide rate among teenagers and young adults has increased dramatically.

6. Can it be treated? 80-90% of people with depression can be helped. 80-90% of people with depression can be helped. Medication Medication Psychotherapy Psychotherapy Asking for help! Asking for help!

7. Myth It’s normal for teenagers to be moody. Teens don’t suffer from “real” depression. Younger children may also exhibit signs of depression. It’s normal for teenagers to be moody. Teens don’t suffer from “real” depression. Younger children may also exhibit signs of depression.

8. Myth People who claim to be depressed are weak and just need to pull themselves together. There’s nothing anyone can do to help. People who claim to be depressed are weak and just need to pull themselves together. There’s nothing anyone can do to help.

9. Myth Talking about depression only makes it worse. Talking about depression only makes it worse.

10. Myth Telling an adult that a friend might be depressed is betraying a trust. If someone wants help, he or she will get it. Telling an adult that a friend might be depressed is betraying a trust. If someone wants help, he or she will get it.

11. Symptoms... Knowing How to Define It Feelings of sadness, emptiness, hopelessness, pessimism, guilt, worthlessness, helplessness Feelings of sadness, emptiness, hopelessness, pessimism, guilt, worthlessness, helplessness Unable to make decisions, concentrate, and remember Unable to make decisions, concentrate, and remember Lost interest in ordinary activities Lost interest in ordinary activities Problems with school and family Problems with school and family Loss of energy and drive Loss of energy and drive Trouble falling asleep, staying awake, or getting up Trouble falling asleep, staying awake, or getting up

12. Appetite problems - losing or gaining weight Appetite problems - losing or gaining weight Headaches, stomach aches, backaches, chronic aches and pains Headaches, stomach aches, backaches, chronic aches and pains Behavior change- restless, more irritable, want to be alone Behavior change- restless, more irritable, want to be alone Not participating in usual activities Not participating in usual activities Drinking and drugging Drinking and drugging Talked about dying or wanting to die Talked about dying or wanting to die Previous attempt to harm self Previous attempt to harm self

13. Indicators of High Risk Previous attempts to harm self Previous attempts to harm self Purchase of pills, weapons, etc. Purchase of pills, weapons, etc. Talking, joking, writing about the desire to end one’s life or to be dead Talking, joking, writing about the desire to end one’s life or to be dead Giving away personal possessions Giving away personal possessions Fearlessness about death Fearlessness about death Recent loss Recent loss Sudden change in behavior Sudden change in behavior

14. Next Steps…A.C.T. Acknowledge - Recognize and verbalize that there is a problem. Acknowledge - Recognize and verbalize that there is a problem. Care -Express caring and concern. Offer to go with him/her to talk with the school counselor. Don’t leave the person alone if the situation appears high-risk. Care -Express caring and concern. Offer to go with him/her to talk with the school counselor. Don’t leave the person alone if the situation appears high-risk. Tell - Share this information if he/she is unwilling. Don’t promise to keep this information secret. Tell - Share this information if he/she is unwilling. Don’t promise to keep this information secret.

15. Response in the School Setting Notify counselor immediately. This may mean escorting the student to the counseling office. If the counselor is not on campus, notify the LSSP and building principal. Notify counselor immediately. This may mean escorting the student to the counseling office. If the counselor is not on campus, notify the LSSP and building principal. Counselor talks with the student. Counselor talks with the student. Counselor contacts parent/guardian for a conference, usually before the student is released to go home. Counselor contacts parent/guardian for a conference, usually before the student is released to go home. Parent and counselor discuss community referrals. Parent and counselor discuss community referrals.

16. Parent is asked to complete forms indicating plan of action. Parent is asked to complete forms indicating plan of action. Counselor supports the student with ongoing intervention at school. Counselor supports the student with ongoing intervention at school. Counselor supports the student who has shared the information with ongoing intervention at school. Counselor supports the student who has shared the information with ongoing intervention at school. Counselor shares information with those who have a need to know only. Counselor shares information with those who have a need to know only. Counselor follows-up with parent. Counselor follows-up with parent.