DEPRESSION/ SUICIDE

Also known as major depression, clinical depression or major depressive disorder Depression is a medical illness that causes a constant feeling of sadness and lack of interest for more than 2 weeks. Depression affects how the person feels, behaves and thinks. Depression may begin to interfere with daily life. WHAT IS DEPRESSION?

TYPES OF DEPRESSION ALL Depression is a chemical imbalance in the brain…different types are caused by different things. Circumstantial Depression: Caused by circumstances that have gone wrong in your life. -Should last between 2-6 weeks -Will last longer if the causes are continued (ie: bullying) or Increased (ie: illness) Drug Related Depression: Drugs (chemicals) cause a change in the chemical balance in your brain -Even prescription drugs can cause depression. Clinical Depression: An overarching name for depression that isn't caused by drugs or one specific circumstance. -Depression lasting longer than 2 weeks -Feelings start to impact your daily life.

Emotional – Sadness – Guilt – Worthlessness – Pessimistic – Hopeless Physical – Fatigue – Sleep disorders – Eating disorders – Headaches – Cramps – Digestive issues HOW DEPRESSIONS EFFECTS YOU Mental Self-criticism Inability to make decision Possibility of suicidal thoughts Behavioral Less involved Procrastinates Isolation from others

RISK FACTOR: Situations a person is living with which make it more likely they could become depressed or suicidal.

DEPRESSION & SUICIDE RISK FACTORS Environmental Risk Factors: Situations that have to do with your surroundings. Examples: Moving (new student) Exposure to suicide Living in fear (at home, school) Lack of a supportive network (people you can trust) City/ state you live in

DEPRESSION & SUICIDE RISK FACTORS Family Related Risk Factors: Situations involving family members Examples: Witnessing violence in the family (verbal, physical, emotional or sexual abuse) Changes to the family structure Inconsistent parental behavior Sickness or lengthy illness Death in the family Siblings with high needs (anger, illness, disease)

DEPRESSION & SUICIDE RISK FACTORS Social Risk Factors: Situations that involve your relationship with other people Examples: Being bullied Loss of relationship or friendship Breaking up with a boyfriend/girlfriend Failing grades (over a long period of time) UNREALISTIC academic pressure

DEPRESSION & SUICIDE RISK FACTORS Physical Risk Factors: Situations that have to do with your body/brain Examples: Being a teenager Being abused (physically, sexually, or verbal) Being chronically ill or having a severe injury Drug or alcohol use Addiction Being a sexual minority (Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual, transgender)

NOT EVERYONE WHO IS DEPRESSED IS SUICIDAL BUT… Everyone who is suicidal is depressed!

Approximately 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 third leading cause of death, behind accidents and homicide, of people aged 15 to 24. Even more disturbing: suicide is the fourth leading cause of death for children between the ages of 10 and 14. SCARY FACTS ABOUT SUICIDE

Most people thinking about suicide want others to be aware of their emotional pain and stop them! Some warning sign are vague and common and do not automatically mean a person is going to attempt suicide, but it should be taken seriously. SUICIDE WARNING SIGNS

FEELINGS: Worthless, anxious, stressed, sad, hopeless, moody, lonely, self hatred ACTIONS: Isolation from others, Self harm, giving stuff away, collecting “lethal” weapons, drug use, excessive risk taking CHANGES: Change in … Personality, appearance, grades, attitude, sleeping habits, eating habits THREATS: Direct verbal threats “I’m going to kill myself” Indirect threats- drawings, writing in journal, poems, lyrics WHAT ARE THE WARNING SIGNS OF DEPRESSION AND SUICIDE?

We don’t know for sure. When youth die by suicide they take the answers with them. Suicide survivors tell us that they wanted to die to end the pain of living. Too many stressors = no strength or desire to live. Mental illness (such as depression) that were not dealt with or diagnosed. WHY DO SOME TEENAGERS COMMIT SUICIDE?

SUICIDAL PEOPLE DON’T WANT TO DIE… They want their problems to go away and their pain to end. -They feel as if ending their life is the only way to make that happen. - There is always another solution but people who are depressed cant see it.

In Washington and across the country, males are much more likely to die by suicide (Hanging and firearm used most) While girls are more likely to make suicide attempts that result in hospitalization. (Cutting and overdose) ARE THE SUICIDE RATES DIFFERENT FOR MALES AND FEMALES? YES!

An average of 2 youth between the ages of 10 and 24 kill themselves each week in Washington State. In a recent state survey, more than one in every 10 high school students reported having attempted suicide; nearly one in four (20% - 25%) had seriously considered it. More than 30% of LGBTQ youth report at least one suicide attempt within the last year. More than 50% of Transgender youth will have had at least one suicide attempt by their 20th birthday. Youth suicides outnumber youth homicides. STATISTICS

1.Notice the warning signs 2.Suicide Prevention Hotline TALK (8255) 3.Connect them with a counselor 4.Tell a trusted adult (parent/teacher/pastor) 5.Risk their trust to save their life 6.Listen without judging 7.Be available to them 8.Encourage them to solve (not mask) their problems 9.Brainstorm with them reasons to live 10.Show them you care YOU CAN HELP TO PREVENT SUICIDE!

ask directly about suicide Be direct without being confrontational say “are you feeling so bad that you are thinking about suicide?” - If they say “yes” Ask them their plan call the police Tell an adult immediately Never keep talk of suicide a secret! YOU CAN HELP TO PREVENT SUICIDE!