Teaching Students and Parents about: Teen Depression and ...

Teaching Students and Parents about:

Teen Depression and SuicideGrab great

downloadableposters and an 8page informative

pamphlet to sharewith students and

parents.

Due to the pandemic,childhood depression

and suicide isincreasing every day. Learn how COVID-19

is impacting teendepression and what

can help.

CREATED BY: Well-being Safety AssessmentsDedicated to preventing violence in schools across the United States.

A B O U T T E E N D E P R E S S I O N / S U I C I D EWhat we need to know

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Being a teen can be difficult, especially in today's world. As a person, you are changing. Your body is growingand you are starting to have your own thoughts andbeliefs that may differ from others. You are likelyexperiencing many different kinds of emotions. Youcan feel great one moment and sad the next moment. These ups and downs are normal as you transition intobecoming an adult.

Sometimes, teens can experience a great deal ofsadness and feel depressed. This feeling can last along-time and even begin to interfer with your daily life.Depression is a medical illness that can affect yoursleeping, eating and education. Depression is commonand can occur in children, teenagers and adults. Thispamphlet will discuss how to recognize Depression andwhat to do if you have it or know someone who does.

What is Depression?

DEPRESSION IS NOT A SIGN OF WEAKNESS. MOST PEOPLE WHO ARE

CLINICALLY DEPRESSED CANNOT JUST SNAP OUT OF IT AND GET

BETTER. TREATMENT IS OFTEN THE BEST SOLUTION FOR THIS

ILLNESS AND CAN INCLUDE COUNSELING AND/OR MEDICATION.

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SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

ChecklistConstantly feeling sad, anxious and alone

FOR CHILDHOOD/TEEN DEPRESSION

Feeling hopeless, like the situation will not getbetter

Having no energy or less energy than normal

Feeling angry or irritable most of the time

No interest in family or friends/want to alone

Grades are dropping

No longer participate in activities, like sportsor clubs

Eating habits have changed/eating more orless than usual

Sleeping habits have changed/sleeping more or less than usual

Trouble with concentrating, remembering information or making choices

Talking, writing or drawing about suicide or death

Getting help doesn't have to be hard.Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, many people have

to receive treatment before they can feel better.

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Children and teenagers should try talking to a trusted adult about how

they are feeling. Talk to a parent alone or a favorite teacher or school

counselor about your emotions. Keep talking until you receive the

help you need.

If you do not know a trusted adult, seek help by contacting the

National Suicide Lifeline at: 800.273.8255 or go to:

www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

Children and teens can also text for help by texting: 4HELP or

(44357). A professional will answer your text in seconds.

A list of national healthlines can be found by going to: The National

Institute of Mental Health. This site provides great information on

mental health diagnoses/the signs and symptoms/risk factors and

treatment solutions.

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/index.shtml

Childen and teens can also go to their pediatrician/primary doctor and

ask for a physical examination. The doctor will ask lots of questions,

including questions about mental health and can direct you to

resources in your area. It is important to be truthful and not minimize

how you are feeling.

How isDepressiontreated?Depression is treated with counseling, medication

or a combination of the two.

Counseling is a treatment where you will meet with

a therapist who will talk with you about your

feelings, emotions and behaviors. Counseling can be

one on one with just you and your counselor

meeting or it can involve one or more of your family

members in family counseling. Your therapist may

even suggest attending a group counseling session

where you will meet with a group of individuals who

are strugging with similar issues. Be honest with

your counselor about how you feel about these

different types of counseling so he/she can make the

right decisions about your treatment.

A counselor or therapist can be a psychologist,

psychiatrist or a licensed counselor. Depending on

their background and education, they may prescribe

medication or recommend someone who can

prescribe medication to help you handle the feelings

you are experiencing. It is important to follow the

directions of the medication you are taking and to

let the counselor know how you are feeling. Some

medications will work differently on different

individuals. Don't stop taking the medication

without a doctor's permission.

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Differentmedication worksdifferently on teensand children. Don'tbe afraid to tell thecounselor how themedication is reallyworking.

THE R IGHT

MEDICAT ION

When you hear a childtalking about death ordying take it seriously.

It is not uncommon forkids to talk about harmingthemselves before they attempt suicide.

PAY ATTENT ION

Parents do not have tohave all the answers. When your child isshowing signs andsymptoms ofDepression, contactthe child's primary carephysician, a counseloror school official andask for advice.

ASK FOR HELP

There are many differentkinds of counselors andmany different ideas onhow to help withDepression. If thecounselor you initiallychose is not working,don't be afraid to find anew therapist who willwork.

CHOOSE THE BEST

COUNSELOR

Take a holistic approach tohelping your child withDepression by eatinghealthy and exercisingregularly with them.

GET ACT IVE

If a child is consideringsuicide, they are thinkingabout a plan to make ithappen. Ensure yourhouse is a safeenvironment by locking upmedicines, alcohol, gunsand other dangerous items.

BE AWARE

Talking to your child aboutsuicide will not make themcommit suicide. But,opening up lines ofcommunication canimprove how your child isfeeling and let them knowhow much you care.

GOOD

COMMUNICAT ION

HELPING CHILDREN/TEENS WITHDEPRESSION

A P A R E N T ' S G U I D E T O

If a teen/child tellsyou he/she isconsidering hurtingthemselves, do notleave them alone.

DON ' T LEAVE

THEM ALONE

How does the COVIC-19 Virus affectChildhood Depression?

Due to the pandemic, many students arehaving to learn from home. Instead ofsocializing with other kids their age, theyare confind to the safety of their house. Although it may be necessary to attendvirtual school at this time, it is important tounderstanding how this may be impactinga child and their emotional well-being.

School is more than just an environmentwhere we are taught lessons. Theeducational experience also gives studentsthe ability to interact with others. They getto talk, laugh and learn together. Schoolalso forces kids to get up at a designatedtime, get dressed, eat breakfast, and begintheir day. This structure as well as thesocial interaction provided while at schoolis a defense against childhood Depression. Children and teens are busy with their dayand they do not have time to focus on thethings in their life they do not like. Due tothe pandemic, children now have moretime on their hands. Instead of spendingthis time with friends and interacting withothers, they are alone or surrounded bythe same family members. Because of thissituation, many students are findingthemselves thinking more and more aboutwhat they don't like about their life, insteadof the activities they used to enjoy. Themore they think about these negativethoughts the worse they feel. It doesn'ttake long and kids begin to struggle to findanything about their

Talk to your kids. Let them know thateven though this is a scary time thattogether your family can get through it.Listen to your kids. Children and teensneed to talk to get out their fears andworries. Even if there is no solutionright now, talking about the situation isbetter than keeping it inside.Encourage a daily structure with yourchildren. Get up..Getdressed..Eat..School lessons.. etc. Socialize. Find a way to interact withothers outside of your home. Whetherit is on a Zoom meeting, telephone,chat, Facetime, Portal or 6 feet apart. Find a way to get your children talkingand socializing with others. When wefocus on the positive; we do not havetime for the negative.Limit the amount of news your childrenhear. They may not act like theirlistening but you may be surprisedwhat they are taking in.

current life they desire. In addition tothese feelings, kids are faced with theirparents and loved ones potentially gettingthis virus and being ill from it as well asworrying about the financial strain thispandemic has left their parents in. Thisemotional weight children are feeling rightnow is enormous and due to their minimalcoping skills are leaving them feelingincredibly hopeless. However, there aresome things parents can do to assist theirchildren during this time.

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Well-being SafetyAssessments

Dedicated to Preventing Violence in Schools across the United States

For additional resources on student safety contact WSA at:

www.well-beingsafetyassessments.com573.451.2151

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Suicide Prevention Life Line:

1-800-273-8255

IS IT TIME TO ASK FOR HELP?

DEPRESSION IS NOT A SIGN OFWEAKNESS

SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFE LINE:

1-800-273-8255