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Depression/Suicide Prevention. “A healthy self-concept is central to a healthy personality! A person who is mentally healthy is also: Realistic about their strengths and weaknesses Able to take on the responsibilities of daily living Caring toward themselves and others
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“A healthy self-concept is central to a healthy personality! A person who is mentally healthy is also: • Realistic about their strengths and weaknesses • Able to take on the responsibilities of daily living • Caring toward themselves and others • Able to handle disappointments and learn from them • Able to feel joy and a sense of achievement
Depression Depression: A mood disorder characterized by: low energy, sadness/hopelessness, lack of interest in daily activities. Can be triggered by 1) chemical imbalance and 2)stressful, emotional situations. *cause is not entirely clear, and may have many episodes throughout your life. Each one increases the chances of having another one. Who can get it? Anyone!
What Are the Risk Factors? • Having depression (15% of severely depressed people die of suicide) • Being male (4x as many men die of suicide than women, but women are 3x as likely to attempt suicide) • Using drugs (73% of suicides involve drugs) • Being an adult (most suicides are adults) • Exposure to suicidal behavior in others (even in fiction)
Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Verbal signs of suicide: • “I can’t go on anymore.” 2. “I wish I was never born.” 3. “I wish I were dead.” 4. “I won’t need this anymore.” 5. “My parents won’t have to worry about me anymore.” 6. “Everyone would be better off if I was dead.” 7. “Life sucks. Nobody cares if I live or die.”
“Teenagers who talk about attempting suicide are doing it for attention.” • True, and they need the attention. There is something going on that’s causing them to feel this way. They need people to listen, and professionals to help them.
“All teenagers who are suicidal are depressed.” • True, but the reverse is not true. Most people will experience times in their life when they are depressed, but have no suicidal intentions.
"People who talk about suicide won't really do it." False. It’s just the opposite: not talking about it could escalate the problem. Even thinking about it makes the suicidal person feel worse. Talking will help bring understanding. Talking about it can relieve suicidal students and get them the help that’s needed. Discussing the subject openly shows that you take the person seriously and that you care.
"Anyone who tries to kill him/herself must be crazy." Not True. Most suicidal people are not psychotic or insane. They may be upset, grief-stricken, depressed or despairing, but extreme distress and emotional pain are always signs of mental illness and are not signs of psychosis.
"If people are determined to kill themselves, nothing will stop them." Not True. Even the most severely depressed person has mixed feelings about death, and most waver until the very last moment between wanting to live and wanting to die. Most suicidal people do not want to die; they want the pain to stop. The impulse to end it all, however overpowering, does not last forever.
"Talking about suicide may give someone the idea." Not True. You don't give a suicidal person morbid ideas by talking about suicide. The opposite is true -- bringing up the subject of suicide and discussing it openly is one of the most helpful things you can do.
“Suicide is a victimless crime." Not True. Everyone has friends and family who will mourn the loss. One suicide places a tremendous burden on society. Other people are more likely to commit suicide after there is one suicide (this is ESPECIALLY true in school settings).
Warning Signs • Talking about death • Wanting to die • Friends/family who have attempted suicide • Suddenly happier, calmer • Loss of interest in the things one cares about • Preoccupation with death • Behavioral changes • Difficulty with appetite/sleep • Talking about specific “plans” • Social withdrawal * For every completed suicide, there are 25 other people making attempts uncompleted attempts. Resulting in a lot of injured people.
How to Help a Friend • Ask questions, don’t be afraid to ask them directly about suicide • Don’t keep a secret!!! Tell people who can help them • If there is an immediate risk (i.e. they have a plan made) get IMMEDIATE help!!!
People to Talk to • Your parents • Adult relatives • A trusted teacher • School counselors • Your family doctor • The police • Coach • Neighbors • Religious leaders • ANY adult you feel that you can trust to get you immediate help
Grief and Coping What causes us grief? • Death of someone close to us • Divorce • Abuse • Eating disorders • Loss of a job • Life altering accident • Paralysis • ETC
Stages of Grief • Denial: At first, we tend to deny the loss that has taken place, and may withdraw from our usual social contacts. “This is not happening to me!” • Anger: The grieving person may then be furious at the cause of the loss and is angry with the situation. “Why is this happening to me?” • Bargaining: The grieving person may make bargains with someone, something, or even a higher power, asking “If I do this, will you take away the loss?” • Depression: The person feels numb, although anger and sadness may remain underneath. “I don’t care anymore.” • Acceptance: This is when the anger, sadness, and mourning have tapered off. The person simply accepts the reality of the loss. “It will be okay.”
