Depression and suicide are serious issues that can affect anyone. Depression involves prolonged feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and helplessness. It ranges from mild to severe. Suicide is often considered a temporary relief from problems rather than seen as death. Warning signs of suicide include talking about killing oneself, giving away possessions, depression, substance abuse, and risk-taking behaviors. Friends can help by listening non-judgmentally, taking threats seriously, and telling responsible adults if safety is a concern. Both depression and suicide require professional help.

1. Depression and Suicide
Melissa Rodgers

2. Depression
 Depression is a prolonged feeling of
helplessness, hopelessness, and
sadness.
 It may feel like sadness will never go
away.
 Depression is a serious condition that
may require medical help.

3. Depression
 A. Depression is a common mood
disturbance with feelings of sadness,
disappointment, or loneliness that can lead
to:
 1. Withdrawal from people and activities
 2. Loss of pleasure and enjoyment in
life.
 3. Physical discomfort, aches, pains,
fatigue, poor digestion, sleep
disturbance, etc.

4. Depression
 Depression affects everyone in different
ways
 Most people feel down or “blue” now and
then - a natural reaction to stress and
tension.
 Occasional short term bouts of depression
are normal for everyone, but people
experience depression differently.

5. Depression
 Many people have more serious periods of
depression, but are still able to meet daily
responsibilities.
 Some people become so severely
depressed that they can not face the
problems of daily living. Any depression
that lasts longer than 2-4 weeks and
involves continually feeling isolated, tired
and bad about oneself, or that prompts the
person to take risks or engage in
dangerous behavior, is a signal that
immediate help is necessary.

6. Depression
Mild depression is our most common
emotional disturbance. Serious depression
affects one in 4 people at some time in their
lives. And yet, depression is widely
misunderstood. It is often ignored or
untreated. People don’t recognize their
symptoms, are afraid to seem “weak”, or are
too depressed to take action.

7. Depression can affect anyone
at any time:
 Depression can affect anyone at any time
including:
 Elderly people commonly get depressed as a
result of physical problems, damaged self-
esteem, retirement, declining income, loss of
loved ones, loneliness, etc.
 Middle aged adults are more likely to become
depressed than any other age group. Goals
that seem unattainable, children leaving home,
etc. may trigger depression.

8. Depression can affect anyone
at any time:
 Young adults frequently become depressed as they
struggle with intense job and family responsibilities
and search for fulfillment.
 Adolescents experience social stress and rapid
physical changes that often lead to mood swings.
 Children - even babies – can suffer from
depression. It is usually related to family conflicts,
and symptoms quickly pass. However, children can
suffer sever depression, so it is important to not
ignore symptoms.

9. Types of Depression
 Mild depression (the “blues”) is the most common
type of depression. It is usually brief and doesn’t
seriously interfere with normal activities.
 Significant events such as holidays,
anniversaries, a new job, a move, as well as
boredom and frustration can produce a temporary
“down” mood.
 Postpartum depression (after giving birth) is a
common type of mild depression. However, it can
become severe, so talk to your physician if you
feel depressed after childbirth.
 Treatment is usually not needed. A change of
situation, pace, etc., is usually enough to brighten
a “blue” mood.

10. Types of Depression
 Moderate depression (feeling hopeless)
symptoms are similar to those of mild
depression, but more intense and longer lasting.
 An unhappy event such as a loss of a loved
one, career setback, etc. is usually the
cause. This person is aware of unhappy
feelings, but can’t stop them.
 Daily activities may be harder (but usually
still possible) to cope with.
 Suicide may be a danger. It seems like the
only “solution” as pain gets worse.
 Professional help may be necessary.

11. Types of Depression
 Severe depression (separation from reality) is when a
loss of interest in the outside world and serious
prolonged behavior changes are characteristic.
 Deep inner imbalances are usually the cause.
Sometimes another disorder such as
schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug addiction may
be related to depression.
 Physical symptoms often become obvious. The
person may suffer from delusions that his or her
body is changing.
 Manic – depressive illness is a form of
depression in which the person goes from
extreme highs and deep lows.
 Professional treatment is necessary.

12. Treatment of Depression
 As with most illnesses, treatment is easiest
and most effective when its begun early.
Health professionals can develop a plan to
treat depression that may include taking
medication, making changes in home or
school environment, or counseling.
Treating depression takes time,
persistence, and patience.

13.  “There are times in every life when we
would like to die temporarily” - Mark
Twain
 Most people learn to manage stress in a
healthful way. For some people stress can
cause alienation, feeling isolated and
separated from everyone else. These
people may be unable to cope with difficult
life experiences. They may seek to escape
from the pain and consider ending their
lives.

14. Suicide
 Suicide – is the act of intentionally taking
one’s own life.
 It is normal to have passing thoughts about
what it would be like to be dead or about
using death to avoid one’s current situation.
It’s normal so long as these thoughts are
fleeting and not seriously investigated.

15. Suicide
 To understand suicide, it is a necessary to
understand that suicide is not seen as death as
much as it is seen as a temporary relief or
solution to ones problems.
 A fundamental issue for most people
contemplating suicide is their lack of faith in their
own ability and competency to lead the lives they
want to have.

16. Factors
 Often we try to look at what causes a person to
commit suicide. We can look at an event that may of
happened recently (break up, failing grade, not
making a team…) or something more long term
(divorce, abuse . . .). While both of these are
important it is usually not so much these events, but
how the person copes with theses events that
determine if he or she will become suicidal. Some
adolescents, given a number of life stressors, will
never be suicidal. Other with the same or fewer
stressors will cope with stress by considering suicide
as an option.

17. Suicide is a process:
Some reasons a person might choose suicide:
 A prolonged depression
 Fear of failure, incompetence, rejection
 Fear of being alone (“I can’t live without...”)
 Guilt over what one has done or has failed to do
 Anger at parents, spouse, boy/girl friend
 Irrational behavior caused by drugs and/or alcohol

18. Suicide is a process:
 Grief over a loss - job, health, loved one, an
expectation...
 A desire to be in complete control of one’s life and end
of life.
 A desire to control or punish others
 A means of getting attention and love
 Desire to end a life not worth living

19. Warning Signs
 The majority of those contemplating suicide give clues
to their plans, some are obvious, while others are
subtle. Some things you can watch for in those around
you:
 Talking about killing self
 Preparing for their own death, getting things “in
order”. Giving away prized possessions, making a
will, cleaning room…
 A long depression, then suddenly “snapping out of
it”. The greatest danger in suicide exists during the
first 3 months after a person recovers from a deep
depression.
 Sudden behavior change: an outgoing person
suddenly becomes quiet and withdrawn; a shy
person suddenly becomes reckless and uninhibited.

20. Warning Signs
 Heavy alcohol / drug use. Drugs not only dull emotional pain,
but they make people do things they normally wouldn't. Most
teens who commit suicide have taken some drug in any of
the 24 hours leading up to the act.
 Person acts angry at him/herself and the world; feels
helpless, hopeless and self-destructive.
 Obsessed with death - the main theme in writing, talk and/or
artwork.
 May have suffered a serious loss lately (break up, death,
fight – or the anniversary of such a thing)
 Change in sleeping, eating, personal habits, appearance,
concern for school.
 Increased risk taking
 Loss of interest in things previously enjoyed – activities,
friends
 In trouble – law, family, school...

21. How You Can Help
 91% of high school students said they would turn to a friend
first if they ever considered suicide.
 The most important thing you can do is listen. You
need to be non-judgmental (don't criticize their choice
or tell them why they can't do it). It is okay to ask if
they are planning to hurt or kill themselves.
 Show you take the person's feelings seriously and
wish to help. Communicate your concern and
support. Do not try to talk them out of it.
 Ask if they have a plan. If they already have the
means (pills, gun) do not leave them alone! You need
to take immediate action and get help for them.
 Try to find out why they want to kill themselves. This
will help you know where to direct them for help.
 It is important for you to know that there are some
secretes you cannot keep - you have to tell a
responsible adult as soon as possible.