Depression and Teen Suicide

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Depression and Teen Suicide

• By Mr. Frantz

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Depression

• There are two types of depression.
• Clinical Depression
• Manic-Depression Disorder

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Depression

• Clinical Depression is a feeling of sadness or
  hopelessness that lasts for more than a few
  weeks. It interferes with daily activities and
  interests. This can occur over a single
  situation or can be about life in general.

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Depression

• Manic-Depressive disorder is when a persons
  moods shift dramatically from one emotional
  extreme to another for no apparent reason.

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Depression

• Although it is not known what causes depression
  it tends to run in families.
• Depression can sometimes lead to suicide.

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Teenage Suicide

• Suicide is the intention of taking ones own
  life.
• Each year thousands of teen attempt suicide.
• Suicide is now the second leading cause of death
  for people between 15-19.

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Teenage Suicide

• The rate of reported suicides among young people
  has tripled in the last 30 years and continues to
  increase.
• There are many possible causes of teen suicide.

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Causes of Suicide

• Teenagers are having a difficult time adjusting
  to who they are, family life changes, who cares
  about them, where they belong, and the pressure
  to succeed.

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Causes of Suicide

• Failure in a relationship, at school, or even a
  job can add to depression.
• Pregnancy, alcohol and drug problems, having an
  STD, or trouble with the law can be overwhelming
  to a teenager.

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What to look for

• Warning signs of suicide can be verbal. Listen
  for
• I want to die
• I dont want to live anymore
• I wish I were dead
• I want to go to sleep and never wake up
• Theyll be sorry when Im gone

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What to look for

• Sometimes signs of suicide can be in the persons
  behavior
• Depression, lack of energy
• Change in sleep patterns
• Lost of interest in hobbies
• Dropping grades
• Personality changes

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What to Look for

• Experiencing a loss break up, death, divorce
• Having problems with parents or school
• Previous suicide attempts.

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So what do you do?

• If you see someones cry for help you should
• Take the person seriously, do not blow it off
• Be direct and talk openly
• Allow the person to express their feelings
• Do not give advice or be judgemental

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So what do you do?

• Do not challenge the person
• Do not allow yourself to be sworn to secrecy
• Tell an adult right away
• Suggest that the person calls a suicide center or
  talk to a trusted adult at school or in their
  family.

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Be a friend

• Suicide can be prevented and often times it is a
  cry for help. No one wants to die it is just
  that they see no other way out. By being a
  friend to someone in need can change not only
  your life, but may actually save someone elses.