Depression and Suicide Awareness

Bernie Rupe, LCPC, NCC

Bernie.rupe@gmail.com

Quiz

1. If you hide your depression, it will not affect you and your behavior True or False

2. Ignoring depression helps it to go away True or False

3. Only teens get depressed True or False

4. Recognizing you are depressed will help you overcome your depression True or False

5. Being depressed is your own fault ‘cause you are a weak person True or False

6. Suicidal thoughts are common in teens True or False

Kevin Breel

• Video removed so that I can email it – it is at http://www.ted.com/talks/kevin_breel_confessions_of_a_depressed_comic?language=en

Facts

1. Almost 40,000 US deaths happen each year attributed to suicide.

2. That means there is 1 suicide every 13 minutes in the US3. 16% of teens have seriously considered killing themselves.4. 1 in 13 (6%) teens have tried to kill themselves in the past

year.5. For every documented death attributed to suicide, there

were 25 attempts.6. Twice as many people die of suicide as homicide and more

die of suicide then car accidents.

Suicide Myths

1. No one can stop a suicide, it is inevitable.2. Confronting a person about suicide will only make them

angry and increase the risk of suicide.3. Only experts can prevent suicide.4. Suicidal people keep their plans to themselves (85%

don’t, 50% of teens communicate intent to family members).

5. Those who talk about suicide don’t do it.6. Once a person decides to complete suicide, there is

nothing anyone can do to stop them.

Ray

Jake

Delia

What causes depression, anyway?

There really isn’t one single cause. Depression is caused by a mix of things such as:•Genes – some families are more susceptible.• Brain chemistry- the chemicals in your brain are off.•What has happened to you – life!• You bottle things up and don’t share your struggles.• You get in a bad rut with negative thinking.

What could depression look like in teens?

• Lack of focus/concentration (Ray, Delia)

• Anger (Jake)

• Easy irritation – critical of self or others (Jake)

• Loss of confidence

• Low energy

• Difficulty getting along with people (Delia)

• Lack of enjoyment in life/hard to be positive (Ray)

• Lose interest in things you used to enjoy

• Some will use alcohol or drugs to try to cover up their depression (Jake)

• Loss of hope*

What if I am concerned about someone killing themselves?

• Ask them directly if they are thinking of taking their own life.• Express your concern• Tell an adult (parent, school counselor, catechist)• Call 911• Don’t wait – do something right away.• Really, don’t wait, tell someone now.• Don’t let things sit for days, please take action now (got

it?).

Questions to Use

Use these questions to encourage your friend to share (try not to give the easy out – i.e. are you ok?):

• You seem down today, what’s going on?

• I noticed you have been missing a lot of class and I am concerned.

• You seem easily irritated the last few weeks. What is bothering you?

If you are concerned someone may hurt themselves, be direct, but don’t lead (i.e. you aren’t suicidal, are you?):

• Are you thinking of killing yourself?

• Do you have thoughts of hurting yourself?

Role plays

What is the upside and downside of getting help?

The Upside • Someone could get support for dealing with their problems. • You could save someone’s life.

The Downside• You will disrupt your friend and your friends family’s life.• Your friend might be mad.• You could even lose your friend.

Is it worth the risk of the downsides to get the upsides?

What if I have lost someone and/or I am having a hard time?

• Call 800 273-TALK (National Suicide Prevention Hotline)• Talk with your catechist or school counselor• Go to American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

http://www.afsp.org/ • The Catholic Church’s LOSS (Loving Outreach to Survivors of Suicide)

program has different programs, one of which meets at our church and another is for teens. 312 655 7283. Cathoiccharities.net/loss• Check out the books After and After a Suicide: Young People Speak

Up.

These are in your teen handout

Jesus Is Your Safety Net from Fireside Catholic Youth Bible

Have a honest class

Parents, please stay for continued discussion

I am available at 7 for and teens or parents to talk

Money spend on suicide research

Prevention

Prevention may be a matter of a caring person with the right knowledge being available in the right

place at the right time.