Preventing SuicidePreventing Suicide

Humble ISDHumble ISD

What is depression?What is depression?

……more than the blues or the blahs; it more than the blues or the blahs; it is more than the normal every day is more than the normal every day

ups and downs.ups and downs.

Causes of Clinical DepressionCauses of Clinical Depression

Genetic link to depressive disordersGenetic link to depressive disorders Life experiences can increase the chances of Life experiences can increase the chances of

becoming depressed.becoming depressed.

Incidence of DepressionIncidence of Depression

Will affect more than 19 million Americans Will affect more than 19 million Americans this year.this year.

1/4 of all women will suffer at least one 1/4 of all women will suffer at least one episode during their lifetimes.episode during their lifetimes.

1/8 of all men will suffer at least one episode 1/8 of all men will suffer at least one episode during their lifetimes.during their lifetimes.

3-5% of the teen population experiences 3-5% of the teen population experiences clinical depression every year.clinical depression every year.

Is it serious?Is it serious?

Assume it is seriousAssume it is serious Linked to poor school performance, truancy, Linked to poor school performance, truancy,

alcohol and drug abuse, running away, and alcohol and drug abuse, running away, and feelings of worthlessness and hopelessnessfeelings of worthlessness and hopelessness

Suicide is often linked to depression.Suicide is often linked to depression. Suicide rate among teenagers and young adults Suicide rate among teenagers and young adults

has increased dramatically.has increased dramatically.

Can it be treated?Can it be treated?

80-90% of people with depression can be 80-90% of people with depression can be helped.helped. MedicationMedication PsychotherapyPsychotherapy Asking for help!Asking for help!

MythMyth

It’s normal for teenagers to be moody. Teens It’s normal for teenagers to be moody. Teens don’t suffer from “real” depression. Younger don’t suffer from “real” depression. Younger children may also exhibit signs of depression.children may also exhibit signs of depression.

MythMyth

People who claim to be depressed are weak People who claim to be depressed are weak and just need to pull themselves together. and just need to pull themselves together. There’s nothing anyone can do to help.There’s nothing anyone can do to help.

MythMyth

Talking about depression only makes it worse.Talking about depression only makes it worse.

MythMyth

Telling an adult that a friend might be Telling an adult that a friend might be depressed is betraying a trust. If someone depressed is betraying a trust. If someone wants help, he or she will get it.wants help, he or she will get it.

Symptoms...Symptoms...Knowing How to Define ItKnowing How to Define It

Feelings of sadness, emptiness, hopelessness, Feelings of sadness, emptiness, hopelessness, pessimism, guilt, worthlessness, helplessnesspessimism, guilt, worthlessness, helplessness

Unable to make decisions, concentrate, and Unable to make decisions, concentrate, and rememberremember

Lost interest in ordinary activitiesLost interest in ordinary activities Problems with school and familyProblems with school and family Loss of energy and driveLoss of energy and drive Trouble falling asleep, staying awake, or getting upTrouble falling asleep, staying awake, or getting up

Appetite problems - losing or gaining weightAppetite problems - losing or gaining weight Headaches, stomach aches, backaches, chronic aches Headaches, stomach aches, backaches, chronic aches

and painsand pains Behavior change- restless, more irritable, want to be Behavior change- restless, more irritable, want to be

alonealone Not participating in usual activities Not participating in usual activities Drinking and druggingDrinking and drugging Talked about dying or wanting to dieTalked about dying or wanting to die Previous attempt to harm selfPrevious attempt to harm self

Indicators of High RiskIndicators of High Risk Previous attempts to harm selfPrevious attempts to harm self Purchase of pills, weapons, etc.Purchase of pills, weapons, etc. Talking, joking, writing about the desire to end Talking, joking, writing about the desire to end

one’s life or to be deadone’s life or to be dead Giving away personal possessionsGiving away personal possessions Fearlessness about deathFearlessness about death Recent lossRecent loss Sudden change in behaviorSudden change in behavior

Next Steps…A.C.T.Next Steps…A.C.T. AAcknowledge - Recognize and verbalize cknowledge - Recognize and verbalize

that there is a problem. that there is a problem. CCare -Express caring and concern. Offer to are -Express caring and concern. Offer to

go with him/her to talk with the school go with him/her to talk with the school counselor. Don’t leave the person alone if counselor. Don’t leave the person alone if the situation appears high-risk.the situation appears high-risk.

TTell - Share this information if he/she is ell - Share this information if he/she is unwilling. Don’t promise to keep this unwilling. Don’t promise to keep this information secret.information secret.

Response in the School Setting Response in the School Setting Notify counselor immediately. This may Notify counselor immediately. This may

mean escorting the student to the mean escorting the student to the counseling office. If the counselor is not on counseling office. If the counselor is not on campus, notify the LSSP and building campus, notify the LSSP and building principal.principal.

Counselor talks with the student.Counselor talks with the student. Counselor contacts parent/guardian for a Counselor contacts parent/guardian for a

conference, usually before the student is conference, usually before the student is released to go home.released to go home.

Parent and counselor discuss community Parent and counselor discuss community referrals.referrals.

Parent is asked to complete forms indicating plan Parent is asked to complete forms indicating plan of action.of action.

Counselor supports the student with ongoing Counselor supports the student with ongoing intervention at school.intervention at school.

Counselor supports the student who has shared the Counselor supports the student who has shared the information with ongoing intervention at school.information with ongoing intervention at school.

Counselor shares information with those who have Counselor shares information with those who have a a need to know onlyneed to know only..

Counselor follows-up with parent.Counselor follows-up with parent.