Stress: What is it?

1. Stress: What is it? • The way your mind and body react to changes, challenges and threats • Stress is normal • Not all stress is bad • When ordinary stress becomes toomuch = distress slide#1

2. Defining Stress/Depression/Suicide • Cup Exercise

3. Healthy & Unhealthy Coping Examples of healthy coping: • Listening to soothing music • Exercising Examples of unhealthy coping: • Using drugs or alcohol • Beating up on your sibling slide#2

4. Depression – What is it? • Feelings of sadness, hopelessness& despair that persist and interferewith academics, work performanceor interpersonal relationships slide#3

5. Adolescent Depression:The Signs • Irritability • Overreaction to criticism • Problems with authority • Persistent feelings of sadness • A drop in school performance • Indecision, lack of concentration • Poor self-esteem • Frequent physical complaints slide#4

6. Treatment for Depression Brief counseling Psychotherapy Medication slide#5

7. Impact of Stress/Depression & Help WS • Segment: • Signs of Depression to Why Suicide (5:50)

8. Resources • School counselor • Crisis telephone hotlines: - 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) - 1-866-4-U-Trevor (GLBT hotline – 1-866-488-7386) • Parents • Clergy • Coaches, teachers, youth leaders • Physicians, pediatricians, other health care providers • Psychiatrists, psychologists, other mental health counselors slide#6

9. Suicidal Behaviors • Thoughts • Attempts • Death slide#7

10. Facts/ Myths WS

11. Facts and Myths about Suicide 1. If my friend talked about killing herself, even jokingly, she could really mean it and might commit suicide. ANSWER: True 2. Once a teen attempts suicide, he/she has a higherrisk for attempting again. ANSWER: True 3. Teens who use drugs or alcohol are not at a greaterrisk for committing suicide. ANSWER: False slide#8

12. Facts and Myths about Suicide 4. If you ask a troubled friend if he/she is suicidal,you will be planting the idea in his/her head. ANSWER: False 5. Reckless driving or doing dangerous things thatcould lead to death might be a sign that a teen ishaving thoughts of suicide or is unclear whetherthey want to live. ANSWER: True • Suicide is the third most common cause of deathamong adolescents and young adults in the U.S. ANSWER: True slide#9

13. Facts and Myths about Suicide • Over 30% of GLB (gay, lesbian, bisexual) youth attempt suicide. ANSWER: True 8. There are no warning signs before a suicide takes place. ANSWER: False 9. Once a teen is suicidal, he/she is suicidal forever. ANSWER: False slide#10

14. The Point Is: • Youth suicide is a major problem in Washington State • Talking about suicide may help to save a life slide#11

15. Underlying Causesof Suicidal Behavior Mental Health Problem Abuse/Bullying Alcohol/Drug Problem slide#12

16. Possible Triggersof Suicidal Behavior Relationship Problems - Conflicts - Break-ups - Pregnancy SchoolProblems - Failing Grades - Suspension - Pressures FamilyStressors - Death - Divorce - Fights - Finances slide#13

17. The Point Is: • LOSS is a common theme • There are usually many causes slide#14

18. Warning Signs • Suicide-Risk Behaviors • Past attempts • Talking about suicide, making plans • Preoccupation with death • Depression • Moody, down • Feeling hopeless, withdrawing • ­Drug Use • Things that ­Risk • Easy access to guns • Impulsiveness • No one to talk to slide#15

19. Segment • Why Suicide (5:50) through Situational Clues

20. Resources • School counselor • Crisis telephone hotlines: - 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) - 1-866-4-U-Trevor (GLBT hotline – 1-866-488-7386) • Parents • Clergy • Coaches, teachers, youth leaders • Physicians, pediatricians, other health care providers • Psychiatrists, psychologists, other mental health counselors slide#16

21. What is NOT Helpful • Ignoring or dismissing the issue - “Oh, let’s talk about something else.” - “You’ll meet another girl and forget this one; you’re a great guy.” • Acting shocked or embarrassed - “You aren’t REALLY thinking of suicide, are you?” • Challenging or debating - “So go ahead; see if things really DO get better.” - “Don’t you know that it is wrong to kill yourself?” • Giving harmful advice - “Let’s go get drunk and forget about all our problems.” slide#17

22. What IS Helpful • Show You Care - Listen carefully - “I’m concerned about you . . . about how you feel.” • Ask the Question - Be direct but caring & non-confrontational - “Are you thinking about suicide?” • Get Help - Do not leave him/her alone - “You’re not alone. Let me help you.” slide#18

23. What IS helpful WS • Helpful Phrases… Brainstorm with a partner! • Segment • Situational Clues (14:1) to End

24. Obstacles and Solutions • Role-Play

25. Resources • School counselor • Crisis telephone hotlines: - 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) - 1-866-4-U-Trevor (GLBT hotline – 1-866-488-7386) • Parents • Clergy • Coaches, teachers, youth leaders • Physicians, pediatricians, other health care providers • Psychiatrists, psychologists, other mental health counselors slide#19

26. What would you do if you thought a friend was potentially suicidal? • Do you think Suicide prevention is a relevant and important issue to cover in school? Why or why not? • Do you think we have a problem with Suicide at Skyline? Why or why not? • What do you think the school and students should do to prevent further deaths? • Why do you think two students at our school lost their lives to suicide this year?