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Team 8A Community Project. Why get involved? We will have an impact on the lives of teens. We are a close team in our last year together at MSMS and we will be even closer by including everyone in a project. We will make MSMS history .
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Team 8A Community Project • Why get involved? • We will have an impact on the lives of teens. • We are a close team in our last year together at MSMS and we will be even closer by including everyone in a project. • We will make MSMS history. • We will want to do something amazing so that MSMS, Burlington, Massachusetts, and even the country remembers us. • The project will benefit teens, 8A, and yourself (college and high school applications!). • We are the future leaders of America. • We will have FUN!
Our Mission • Have you ever felt left out? • Have you ever felt like no one understands you? • Have you ever felt like you are alone? You are not alone. • We will work as a team throughout the year to raise awareness and money in support of teens who are struggling with depression, suicide, self-injury, and addiction.
Depression • Depression affects nearly 121 million people worldwide. • Approximately 18 million people suffer from depression in the U.S. alone. • Depression does not discriminate across age, race, gender, or class. • More teens suffer from depression than adults do. • It is estimated that 20% of teenagers will suffer from depression at some point by the time they reach adulthood. • Look around – Of the 100 of us here, about 20 will suffer depression by age 18. Think of 10 of your friends – 2 of them may suffer depression by age 18.
Suicide • Suicide is the third leading cause of death for young people 15-24 years old in the U.S. • Each year approximately one million people die from suicide. It is predicted that by 2020 the rate of death from suicide will increase to one every 20 seconds. • Suicide attempts are up to 20 times more frequent than deaths from suicides. • In the last 45 years suicide rates have increased by 60% worldwide. • Youth suicide is increasing at the greatest rate.
Self-Injury • Self-injury means causing harm to oneself. Self-injury includes but is not limited to: • cutting • burning • picking or interfering with wound healing • infecting oneself • punching/hitting self or objects • inserting objects into skin • bruising or breaking bones • some forms of hair pulling • Experts estimate that 4% of people struggle with self-injury.
55% 50% 30% Addiction Illegal Drugs • More than 60% of teens said that drugs were sold, used, or kept at their school. • 20% of 8th graders report that they have tried marijuana. • 28% of teens know a classmate or friend who has used ecstasy. Illegal Teen Drug Use as of 2003 Prescription Drugs • Abuse of prescription drugs, especially pain relievers is increasing. Many teenagers assume that prescription drugs are safe, when in fact they are highly addictive and can cause severe side effects. • OxyContin, Vicodin, etc. Alcohol • Alcohol kills 5 times more teens than all other drugs combined. • In the last 30 days 50% of teens say they drank alcohol. • In the last 30 days 32% of teens say they were drunk on at least one occasion. • 40 % of teens who start drinking at age 13 or younger develop alcohol dependence later in life. • Teens that drink are 50 times more likely to use cocaine than teens who never drink.
Summary of the Facts • Depression, suicide, self-injury, and addiction are related. Teens often suffer from more than one at the same time. • Mental health disorders, particularly depression and addiction, are associated with more than 90% of deaths from suicide.
Activities and Events for Year • Raise awareness! Raise money! • Holiday Event • Walk-a-thon • Car Wash • Bake Sale • Dance • Concert • Your Ideas!!!
What Can You Do • Get involved. • Generate ideas for events and activities. • Post suggestions and discuss issues on the team blog. • Have fun with your friends at our events. • Talk to your family and friends. • Become a leader. • Make a difference. • Don’t stop here – get involved beyond our school.
8A Team Blog • msms8a.wordpress.com • Discuss your ideas! Make your voice heard! • Post to the 4 Discussion Pages by Monday, December 1st • Team Name Brainstorm • Events and Activities • Holiday Events and Activities • Organizations Brainstorm • Acceptable Use Policy
The Great 8 The leadership team consists of 8 students. Talk to any of the leadership members if you have any questions. • Chris Arria • Sarah Burnham • Danielle Coveno • Louis Marchant • Laura McIsaac • Sam Rollins • Allie Whitney • Kayla Willette YOU will have the opportunity to be a leader.
Sources • www.twloha.com • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TWLOHA • http://www.teendrugabuse.us/teen_drug_use.html • World Health Organization • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention • National Institute of Mental Health