How do you deal with learners who approach you with problems?

How do you deal with learners who approach you with problems How do you deal with learners who approach you with problems? Provide a safe environment in which they feel comfortable speaking about the problem.

How do you deal with learners who approach you with problems How do you deal with learners who approach you with problems? Listen and show concern; show that you care.

How do you deal with learners who approach you with problems How do you deal with learners who approach you with problems? Provide advice or suggestions about resources, and point them in the right direction.

How do you deal with learners who approach you with problems How do you deal with learners who approach you with problems? Reduce their sense of aloneness so that they feel “heard”

How do you deal with learners who approach you with problems How do you deal with learners who approach you with problems? Follow up within a day or 2 to see whether the problem has been resolved, or what action the learner is taking to manage it.

When is it appropriate or even necessary to refer a learner for further intervention?

Gut instinct; the sense that you are getting into “deep waters” When is it appropriate or even necessary to refer a learner for further intervention?

When speaking to the learner about the problem, you are getting incongruencies; contradictions are clouding the picture. When is it appropriate or even necessary to refer a learner for further intervention?

Contact with a particular learner is becoming very time consuming; you are concerned about dependency issues. When is it appropriate or even necessary to refer a learner for further intervention?

What the learner is telling you is making you feel very uncomfortable What the learner is telling you is making you feel very uncomfortable. You don’t know what to say, or how to respond. When is it appropriate or even necessary to refer a learner for further intervention?

After 2 weeks of trying to support the learner, there is no shift or change in their behaviour or experience of the problem. When is it appropriate or even necessary to refer a learner for further intervention?

You have a sense that the learner may be depressed or anxious to the extent that it is inhibiting their functioning on a daily basis. When is it appropriate or even necessary to refer a learner for further intervention?

The learner seems to be becoming increasingly disorganized in aspects such as personal grooming or appearance, management of work, and social interactions. Behaving totally “out of character” When is it appropriate or even necessary to refer a learner for further intervention?

Symptoms of depression

Symptoms of depression Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, hopelessness and helplessness Symptoms of depression

Constant tiredness and decreased energy Symptoms of depression

Irritability, restlessness and hostility Symptoms of depression

Symptoms of depression Feelings of sadness and tearfulness Symptoms of depression

Symptoms of depression Difficulty in concentrating, remembering and making decisions Symptoms of depression

Symptoms of depression Feelings of rejection, loneliness and isolation Symptoms of depression

Symptoms of depression Lacking interest and enthusiasm in activities that were once enjoyed Symptoms of depression

Symptoms of depression Insomnia, headaches, fluctuations of weight and other physical complaints but no physical evidence of a problem Symptoms of depression

Symptoms of depression Loss of interest/effort in aspects like personal grooming, relationships, work; just not caring about anything Symptoms of depression

Symptoms of depression Disturbed sleep; too much or too little. Change in eating patterns; eating too much, or loss of appetite Symptoms of depression

Thoughts about death and dying Symptoms of depression

Managing depression

reactive or endogenous Managing depression Types of depression ; reactive or endogenous

The role of anti depressant medication Managing depression The role of anti depressant medication

Talking about the experience ; counseling or psychotherapy Managing depression Talking about the experience ; counseling or psychotherapy

Teen suicide is becoming increasingly common in South Africa

Teen suicide is becoming increasingly common in South Africa 9% of all teen deaths are caused by suicide Teen suicide is becoming increasingly common in South Africa

Teen suicide is becoming increasingly common in South Africa Only car accidents and homicides kill more youth between the ages of 15 and 24 Teen suicide is becoming increasingly common in South Africa

Teen suicide is becoming increasingly common in South Africa 1 in 5 teenagers think about hurting themselves and 1 in 12 actually do so Teen suicide is becoming increasingly common in South Africa

Teen suicide is becoming increasingly common in South Africa Most fatal suicides occur in the 15 to 19 year age group, while there have been children as young as 10 who have committed suicide Teen suicide is becoming increasingly common in South Africa

Teen suicide is becoming increasingly common in South Africa Most common precipitators: academic, relationships, family, financial, stress, psychological problems including substance abuse and depression. Teen suicide is becoming increasingly common in South Africa

Teen suicide is becoming increasingly common in South Africa Werther effect (copy cat) Teen suicide is becoming increasingly common in South Africa

Teen suicide is becoming increasingly common in South Africa 75% of all people who commit suicide give warnings to family and friends Teen suicide is becoming increasingly common in South Africa

Teen suicide is becoming increasingly common in South Africa 20-50% of people who commit suicide have previously attempted to take their lives Teen suicide is becoming increasingly common in South Africa

Warning signs that a learner is experiencing suicidal ideation

Threatening to take their life, even if this done “jokingly” Warning signs that a learner is experiencing suicidal ideation

Warning signs that a learner is experiencing suicidal ideation Putting all his personal effects in order, including giving away personal possessions Warning signs that a learner is experiencing suicidal ideation

Acquiring the means to commit suicide Warning signs that a learner is experiencing suicidal ideation

Extreme anxiety, agitation or enraged behaviour Warning signs that a learner is experiencing suicidal ideation

Warning signs that a learner is experiencing suicidal ideation Utter hopelessness; saying things like “the world is a better place without me” Warning signs that a learner is experiencing suicidal ideation

Talking as though they are saying goodbye or going away Warning signs that a learner is experiencing suicidal ideation

Excessive drug and/or alcohol use Warning signs that a learner is experiencing suicidal ideation

What to do if a learner is expressing suicidal ideation

What to do if a learner is expressing suicidal ideation Talk directly to child; ask what is troubling him/her What to do if a learner is expressing suicidal ideation

What to do if a learner is expressing suicidal ideation Ask outright whether he/she is thinking of taking his/her life, and if so what plans have been made What to do if a learner is expressing suicidal ideation

What to do if a learner is expressing suicidal ideation Do not try to argue the child out of suicide, but rather just try to be there with him/her in his/her experience, showing that you care, and that he/she is not alone What to do if a learner is expressing suicidal ideation

What to do if a learner is expressing suicidal ideation Do not leave child alone. Accompany him/her to the san/hospital where arrangements will be made for assessment by a doctor What to do if a learner is expressing suicidal ideation

What to do if a learner is expressing suicidal ideation Advise the child that you will be notifying the school counselor/chaplain to come and see him/her ASAP What to do if a learner is expressing suicidal ideation

What to do if a learner is expressing suicidal ideation Keep reinforcing that he/she is not alone, people do care, he/she has support and help to get through this What to do if a learner is expressing suicidal ideation