1. Understanding Depression, Anxiety and Suicide prevention

2. Anxiety
Anxiety is the tense emotional state that occurs when you can’t predict the outcome of a situation nor guarantee that it will be the desired one.

3. Anxiety Some anxiety and worry is normal.
These normal amounts of anxiety can actually help you respond to threats and feel motivated to get things done.

4. Symptoms of anxiety Emotional symptoms of anxiety
Feelings of apprehension or dread
Trouble concentrating
Feeling tense and jumpy
Anticipating the worst
Irritability
Restlessness
Watching for signs of danger
Feeling like your mind’s gone blank

5. Physical symptoms of anxiety
Pounding heart
Sweating
Stomach upset or dizziness
Frequent urination or diarrhea
Shortness of breath
Tremors and twitches
Muscle tension
Headaches
Fatigue
Insomnia

6. What is an Anxiety attack?
Surge of overwhelming panic
Feeling of losing control or going crazy
Heart palpitations or chest pain
Feeling like you’re going to pass out
Trouble breathing or choking sensation
Hyperventilation
Hot flashes or chills
Trembling or shaking
Nausea or stomach cramps
Feeling detached or unreal

7. What causes an anxiety attack?
Playing the ‘what if’ game – negative self talk which sets us up for failure
Poor self esteem – thinking not worthy
Too much pressure to be perfect
Eating poorly – too much caffeine
Not exercising
Full exposure to phobias
Holding in feelings

8. Questions to ask yourself?
Do you make time each day for yourself?
Are you getting the emotional support that you need?
Are you taking care of your body?
Are you overloaded with responsibility?
Do you ask for help when you need it?
Do you know how to bring your life into balance?

9. Strategies… Challenge negative thoughts Write down your worries
Accept uncertainty – we can’t control everything and everything is NOT going to be perfect.
Take care of yourself
Adopt healthy eating habits
Exercise regularly
Get enough sleep
Practice relaxation techniques

10. What is Depression?
Sadness is a normal reaction to life’s struggles, setbacks, and disappointments.
Depression is different from normal sadness by:
Engulfing your day-to-day life,
Interfering with your ability to work, study, eat, sleep, and have fun.
The feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, and worthlessness are intense and unrelenting, with little, if any, relief.

11. Some of the Common Causes
Stress
Social Anxiety or Peer Pressure
Romantic Problems
Traumatic Events
Separating or Divorcing Parents
Heredity
Family Financial Struggles
Physical or Emotional Neglect
Low Self-Esteem
Feelings of Helplessness
Loneliness

12. Depression in teens Personality Change Poor performance in school
Withdrawal from friends and activities
Anger/rage
Hopelessness
Suicidal thoughts
Poor self-esteem or guilt
Substance abuse or acting out to avoid feelings
Poor self-care

13. Common Signs and Symptoms
Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness
Loss of interest in daily activities
Appetite or weight changes
Sleep changes
Anger or irritability
Loss of energy
Self-loathing
Reckless behavior
Concentration problems
Unexplained aches and pains

14. Changes in behavior and thinking
These may include:
General slowing down
Neglect of responsibilities and appearance
Poor memory
Inability to concentrate or think clearly
Suicidal thoughts, feelings, or behaviors
Difficulty making decisions
Negative attitude and outlook

15. Professional treatment is recommended for depression and anxiety.

16. Treatment
Medication - Antidepressants can help ease the symptoms of depression and return a person to normal functioning. Antidepressants are not habit forming.
Therapy and Counseling – Talk therapy. This can help many depressed people understand themselves and cope with their problems.

17. Suicide Facts Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the US.
Each year 44,193 Americans die by suicide – 121 suicides a day.
For every suicide there at 25 people who attempt – 1,104,825
We lose approximately 100 youth a week to suicide.
In SD, 3rd leading cause of death for ages
In SD, each year approximately 140 die by suicide.
In SD, we lose approximately 12 youth a year.

18. Common misconceptions about Suicide
FALSE – People who talk about suicide won’t really do it
FALSE – People who talk about or attempt suicide want to die
FALSE – Anyone who tries to kill him/herself must be crazy
FALSE – If a person is determined to kill him/herself, nothing is going to stop them
FALSE – Talking about suicide may give someone the idea

19. Truth
Four out of Five teens who attempt suicide have given clear warning signs.

20. Suicide warning signs
Situational clues – what is going on in their life/problems are they going through.
Behavioral clues
Significant change in behavior
Giving away prized possessions
Making final arrangements
Depressive symptoms
Marked feelings of helplessness or hopelessness

21. Sudden, unexplained recovery from profound depression
Risk-taking behavior
Self-mutilating behavior (sometimes)
A suicide plan
Previous suicide attempts
Chemical (drug or alcohol) abuse

22. Verbal Clues
“I Can’t go on anymore.”
“I wish I was never born.”
“I wish I were dead.”
“I won’t need this anymore.”
“My parents won’t have to worry about me anymore.”
“Everyone would be better off if I was dead.”
“Life sucks. Nobody cares if I live or die.”
“Things will be better when I’m gone.”
“I want to go to sleep and never wake up.”

23. How to help
Show them that you care – Listen, show empathy and concern.
Don’t say:
“This will make you stronger”
“Time heals all wounds”
“ I know how you feel”
“It could be worse”
“It will work itself out”

24. How to help Ask about thoughts about suicide.
This is a very important step.
Talk to a parent, counselor, or other trusted adult with them
Don’t keep it a secret.
If they are immediately at-risk, call 911.

25. Helpline Center Crisis Hotline 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or Text “START” to 741-741