coping with adolescent stress and depression

1
coping with adolescent stress and depression

• Presented by
• Sue Eastgard, MSW
• Director, Youth Suicide Prevention Program of
  Washington State
• www.yspp.org

2
Stress what is it?

• The way your mind and body react to change,
  challenges and threats
• Not all stress is bad
• When ordinary stress becomes too much distress

3
Sources of stress

• School demands
• Negative thoughts and feelings
• Changes in body
• Problems with friends
• Being different
• Separation or divorce
• Trouble with siblings or parents
• Injury or illness
• Death of a loved one
• Taking on too many activities
• Too high expectations

4
Washington State 8th grade data

• 35 felt that they were not able to successfully
  deal with life hassles
• 30 felt that they were not able to effectively
  cope with important changes that occur in their
  life

5
Signs symptoms of stress

• Tension, worry, frustration,
• Sadness, withdrawal
• Reduced school performance
• Disillusionment
• Angry
• Extreme behaviors

6
Stress management skills

• Avoid alcohol drugs, including tobacco
• Decrease negative self-talk
• Eliminate excess caffeine intake
• Exercise, eat sleep regularly
• Build a network of friends
• Learn to feel good about a competent job
• Learn relaxation skills
• Learn practical coping skills