Transcript Signs & Symptoms of Suicide

Understanding
Depression and
Suicide
Do Now
In your own words describe depression.
How would someone look, feel, and act
that is depressed?
What is the difference between a risk
factor and a warning sign?
What is Depression??
Depression: A medical condition that
leads to intense feelings of sadness
or despair; these feelings don't go
away on their own, and are not
necessarily related to a particular life
event.
What is Depression??
A disorder
interferes with daily life & normal
functioning – Affects the body, mood,
and thoughts
causes pain for both the person with the
disorder and those who care about him
or her.
Depression is a common but serious
illness, a medical condition that requires
diagnosis and treatment
Most who experience it need treatment
to get better.
What Depression is NOT:
It is NOT something to be ashamed of.
It is NOT a character flaw or sign of
weakness.
No one with depression can just
“Snap Out of It”.
Who suffers from Depression?
Depression can affect anyone but
there is a significantly higher rate of
depression among women than men.
17 million Americans develop
depression each year.
8.6% of adults over 18 have a mental
health problem for at least 2 weeks a
year.
2% of Children get depressed
6-8% of Teenagers
Cause of Depression:
 Imbalance of certain chemicals in the
brain


Neurotransmitters: Chemicals in the brain that
allow nerve cells to "communicate" with one
another
Too few or too many neurotransmitters may
be released and cause or contribute to
depression.
 Triggered by stress, medication, or other
medical problems
 Certain personality factors or genetic
traits
What Causes Depression?
-Risk Factors-
Family History
Major Life Changes/Transitions
What are some examples?
Alcohol or Drug Use
Symptoms of Depression
Must last for more than 2 weeks:
Persistent sad, anxious or "empty"
feelings
Feelings of hopelessness and/or
pessimism
Irritability, restlessness
Loss of interest in activities or hobbies
once pleasurable
Fatigue and decreased energy
Symptoms of Depression
Difficulty concentrating, remembering
details and making decisions
Insomnia or excessive sleeping
Overeating or appetite loss
Thoughts of suicide; suicide attempts
*Someone who is suicidal is typically
depressed; but not all depressed
individuals will have suicidal thoughts.
What Depression IS:
TREATABLE
No matter what the cause of a
persons depression, there is
treatment and it is widely
available!!
Treatment
 Approximately 80% of people who receive
treatment for Depression improve.
 There are three types of treatment:
Psychotherapy
Medication
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

a procedure used to treat severe depression.
It may be used in people with symptoms
such as delusions, hallucinations, or suicidal
thoughts or when other treatments such as
psychotherapy and antidepressant
medicines have not worked
Psychotherapy…what is it?
Psychotherapy is a form of “talking
therapy” that works by helping a
person gain an understanding or
insight into their problems and work
on solving them.
Behavioral psychotherapy is a type of
therapy that looks at patterns of
behavior that may contribute to
depression.
Medication
Anti-depressant Medication helps by
affecting the brain chemistry.
Often take 3-5 weeks to become fully
effective, but improvement is often
experienced within the first week.
They work well and are safe
They are Non-habit forming!
Ect…. Electroconvulsive Therapy
Faster acting than most medications
Is usually done on an Out Patient
basis
Can be used in combination with
medication and therapy
Can be done 2-3 x’s/week for 2-3
weeks or can be used as
maintenance therapy for those who
remain medication resistant which is
done 1x/week until tapering off to
1x/month
ECT…How is it done?
ECT is a painless procedure
A person is put to sleep with general
anesthesia
Muscle relaxers are used to prevent
any injury from the procedure
Oxygen is given by mask during ECT
The whole treatment takes 5 minutes
You are awake, up walking and eating
breakfast with one hour. Home within
two!
How can I help a friend or relative
who is depressed?
Offer emotional support, understanding,
patience and encouragement.
Engage your friend or relative in
conversation, and listen carefully.
Never belittle feelings your friend or
relative expresses, but point out realities
and offer hope.
Never ignore comments about suicide
How can I help myself if
I am depressed?
Exercise or engage in some form of physical
activity.
Reduce or eliminate the use of alcohol or drugs.
Don’t expect too much of yourself. Set realistic
goals and expectations.
Avoid extra stress and big changes.
Talk things over with a family member, friend,
counselor, etc.
Focus on the POSITIVE.
Do Now…
Name 3 symptoms of Depression
Name 3 treatment methods for
Depression
To be collected!!!!
Suicidal Behavior
A complex behavior caused by a
combination of risk factors.
The first step of prevention is to identify
these risk factors
A risk factor is anything that increases the
likelihood that someone will harm
themselves
Suicide is a PERMANENT solution to a TEMPORARY
problem. Life will get better and easier with time and
treatment.
Risk Factors
Teens who have attempted suicide
previously, especially if problems and
other recurring concerns were not
completely resolved.
Teens with low self esteem
Teens in trouble with the law (“Suicide by
cop”)
Teens who are suffering from depression
Risk Factors
Teens who have been abused, molested, or
neglected
Teens who abuse drugs and/or alcohol
Teens who are perfectionists
Teens who are struggling with sexual
orientation (gays and lesbians)
Teens who are in dysfunctional families
Teens who fail in school – potential dropouts
Warning Signs
Talking or writing about suicide or
death
Giving direct verbal cues “I wish I were
dead” and “I’m going to end it all”
Giving less direct cues “You’d be better
off without me” “What’s the point of
living?”, “Soon you won’t have to worry
about me”
Warning Signs
Isolating him or herself from friends
and family
Expressing a belief that life is
meaningless
Giving away prized possessions
Exhibiting a sudden unexplained
improvement in mood after being
depressed
Warning Signs
Neglecting his or her appearance and
hygiene
Dropping out of school or social,
athletic, and/or community activities
Obtaining a weapon (such as a firearm)
or another means of hurting himherself (such as prescription
medication)
Facts
In most cases people talk about
suicide before they do it
Most teens attempt it at home
Teenagers attempt suicide by
overdosing
Women threaten it, men carry it
out more
Often suicide results from some
disturbing event
People don’t usually leave
evidence or suicide notes
Why Suicide Prevention is
Important
• Third leading cause of death for teens
• Second leading cause of death in colleges
• For every completion, there are between 50-200
attempts
• CDC Youth Risk Survey: 8.5% grades 9-12 reported
attempt in past year
• 25% high school students report suicide ideation
• Attempt rate increasing for 10-14 year olds
• Same risk and protective factors for suicide as other
problem behaviors such as drugs, violence, risky sexual
activities
Statistics
Survey- reported that 1 of every 10
American high school students
reported making a suicide attempt the
year before.
Teenage boys are more likely than
girls to commit suicide.
Look for a change in behavior or
performance in school
Statistics
• The 10th leading cause of death in the
U.S.
• The cause of approximately 99
deaths of Americans daily.
• Suicide is the 6th leading cause of
death
among 5-14 year olds
• And the 3rd leading cause of death
Among 15-24 year olds
Stats cont. Every….
• Year
•
- there are approximately 10 youth
suicides
for every 100,000 youth
• Day
•
- there are approximately 11 youth
suicides
• 2 Hours and 11 Minutes
•
- a person under the age of 25
Myth or Fact?
MYTH: It’s
normal for a
teenager to be
moody.
FACT: Depression
can affect all
people.
Any age-raceethnicity
or economic
status
Myth or fact?
MYTH: Teens
who claim to be
depressed are
weak and just
need to pull
themselves
together
FACT: Depression is
not a weakness, but
a serious health
disorder. Both
young people and
adults who are
depressed need
professional
treatment. A trained
therapist can help in
a variety of ways.
MYTH OR FACT?
Myth: People
who talk about
suicide won’t
really do it.
Fact: Almost
everyone who
has died by
suicide has
given some clue
or warning. Do
not ignore these
statements.
Myth or fact?
Myth: Anyone
who kills
themselves must
be crazy
Fact: Most suicidal
people are not
psychotic or insane.
They must be
upset, grief stricken,
depressed or
despairing, but
extreme distress
and emotional pain
are not necessarily
signs of mental
illness
Myth or fact?
Myth: If a person is
determined to kill
themselves, nothing is
going to stop them
FACT: Even the most
severely depressed
person has mixed
feeling about death,
wavering until the very
last moment between
wanting to live and
wanting to die. Most
suicidal people do not
want death; they want
the pain to stop. The
impulse to end it all,
however overpowering,
does not last forever.
MYTH OR FACT
Myth: People
who commit
suicide are
people unwilling
to seek help
Fact: Studies of
suicide victims
show that more
than half had
sought medical
help within six
months before
their deaths.
MYTH OR FACT?
Myth: Talking about
suicide may give
someone ideas
Fact: 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.
There is no evidence
that screening youth for
suicide increases
suicidal thinking or
behavior
Help
• it is okay to ask for help
• talk about traumatic events
• identify trusted adults
• participate in
school & community activities
• Someone is always there to listen
Where to get Help!
In School
Student Assistance Counselors
Mrs. Kumpf (Room 44A)
Mrs. Blake (Library)
School Nurses (So. Building near So. Café)
Ms. Masterson
Mrs. Kivetz
Guidance Counselors
Teachers
Principals
Coaches
Ms. Dello Russo
ANY
TRUSTED
ADULT!!
Where to get Help!
Local Help
Somerset County
(908) 253-3160
Morris County
(973) 839-2521 x228
National Suicide Hotlines
1-800-SUICIDE
1-800-273-TALK
Study Guide….
Test Next Class
•
Diversity
• Harassment
• Internet Safety
• Depression
• Suicide