personal development and health unit 1: emotional wellness depression and suicide: a lethal...
TRANSCRIPT
Personal Development and HealthUnit 1: Emotional Wellness
DEPRESSION AND SUICIDE:
A LETHAL COMBINATION
Approximately 2 Million American teens suff er from severe depression
25% of high school students seriously consider suicide each year
Over the past 35 years, the youth suicide rate in the US has tripled
Suicide is the 3 rd leading cause of death in young people (ages 15-24)
14 young people commit suicide everyday
That is one suicide every hour and 40 minutes
FACTS ABOUT SUICIDE
Depression is triggered by a complex combination of: Genetic Factors
Inherited from your parents Psychological Factors
Personality traits or a chemical imbalance of the brain Environmental Factors
Stress Peer Pressure
Depression is treatable and something you should NOT be ashamed of! It is the #1 cause of suicide if untreated. Early recognition and treatment of depression can save lives!
CAUSES OF DEPRESSION
What kind of pressures do teens face that can cause depression?
Social MediaPeer PressureSexual ImagesSelf Esteem IssuesLack of stress management skills
PRESSURES TEENS FACE TODAY
The blue is TEMPORARY You normally just feel sad because of something that
happened that day, but you get over it usually within a day or two
Symptoms of Depression You feel hopeless and helpless like nothing can fix it. I feel sad, like crying all of the time I feel alone, empty, frustrated, restless, disorganized, self
conscious, scared, mad and guilty My life has no direction I can’t concentrate, remember things or make decisions. I feel like I am in a fog Nothing makes me feel better
THE “BLUES” VS. DEPRESSION
EXERCISEEATING HEALTHYBEING MORE POSITIVESTRESS MANAGEMENT RIDDING YOURSELF/ IGNORING THE PEOPLE WHO ARE
MAKING YOU FEEL DEPRESSED
WAYS TO HELP YOUR DEPRESSION
Previous suicide attemptsVerbalizing a suicide threatGiving away prized posessionsCollecting and disucssing information on suicide
methodsExpressing a lot of feelings of hopelessness,
helplessness and anger towards oneself or the worldThemes of death or depression in conversation,
writing, reading or artworkSuggesting that they would not be missed if they
were goneScratching or marking of the body or other self
destructiveness
SYMPTOMS/DANGER SIGNS OF SUICIDE
Recent loss of a friend or family member through death or suicide or other personal “losses” such as divorce
Acute personality changes, unusually withdrawn, aggressive, moody or new involvement in risky behaviors
Sudden dramatic decline or improvement in grades, tardies or running away
Physical symptoms such as eating disturbances, sleeplessness, chronic headaches or stomach aches, menstrual irregularities or apathetic appearance
Use or increased use of substancesLOOK FOR SUDDEN CHANGES IN BEHAVIOR THAT ARE
SIGNIFICANT!!!!!!!
MORE DANGER SIGNS…
Share honestly how you are feelingPositive Self ThoughtStress Management SkillsConfl ict Resolution SkillsHealthy Decision Making Skills
Is it safe? Is it healthy? Is it legal? Does it respect myself and others? Does it respect my parents wishes?
Use Eff ective Communication Skills (I feel…when you…because..)
Know the signs of depression and suicide and GET PROFESSIONAL HELP!
HOW TO PREVENT SUICIDE
1. Share your concern “I care/ I love….I see…. I feel…. LISTEN…I want…. I will…
2. Ask the Question “Are you thinking about suicide??”
3. Safety Ask them how they plan to hurt themselves, but keep
yourself safe Do they have a plan? Is it Lethal, is it specific, is it available?
4. STAY WITH THEM!!!!!!!!! The peak of a crisis can last a few minutes or even a few
hours5. Tell Someone
As much as we would like to we do NOT have the medical skills needed to help our friend
Contact a Counselor, Parent, Pastor and Physician
HOW TO INTERVENE
1-800-SUICIDE1-800-DONTCUT911
NUMBERS TO CALL
#3: How has suicide affected your life? What could you do to prevent suicide in yourself or someone you love?
JOURNAL ASSIGNMENT
Read the letter Paula sent to her friend
Identify the warning signs you see in the letter and write them down in the pie chart on the worksheet
LETTER TO PAULA