New York Association New York Association of School Psychologists of School Psychologists

& & New York StateNew York State Office of Mental Health Office of Mental Health

Recognizing Depression in Your Recognizing Depression in Your Teenager and What to Do About ItTeenager and What to Do About It

Present

MOM AND DAD . . . DO MOM AND DAD . . . DO YOU HEAR ME, DO YOU YOU HEAR ME, DO YOU

SEE ME?SEE ME?

THE THE SPEAKSPEAK INITIATIVE INITIATIVE More people die from suicides than More people die from suicides than

homicides in our countryhomicides in our country Third leading cause of death for Third leading cause of death for

young people (ages 15 –24)young people (ages 15 –24) Approximately 150,000 New York Approximately 150,000 New York

teenagers attempt suicide each year, teenagers attempt suicide each year, and 70 will die as a resultand 70 will die as a result

The national rate of teen suicide has The national rate of teen suicide has nearly tripled since the 1950’snearly tripled since the 1950’s

Prevention and early intervention Prevention and early intervention saves livessaves lives

IS IT JUST THE BLUES OR IS IT JUST THE BLUES OR IS YOUR CHILD IS YOUR CHILD DEPRESSED?DEPRESSED?

Everybody has normal ups Everybody has normal ups and downsand downs

Depression is more than just Depression is more than just the bluesthe blues

Depression impacts us on an Depression impacts us on an emotional, behavioral, and emotional, behavioral, and social levelsocial level

FACT OR FACT OR FICTION . . .FICTION . . .

Teens don’t suffer from “real” Teens don’t suffer from “real” depressiondepression

Teens who complain of being Teens who complain of being depressed are just weakdepressed are just weak

Talking about depression only Talking about depression only makes it worsemakes it worse

Telling an adult that a friend Telling an adult that a friend may be depressed is betraying a may be depressed is betraying a trusttrust

COMMON QUESTIONS COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT DEPRESSIONABOUT DEPRESSION

What are the possible causes of What are the possible causes of depression?depression?

How common is it?How common is it? Is it serious?Is it serious? Is depression the same for Is depression the same for

everyone?everyone? Can it be treated?Can it be treated? Why don’t people get help?Why don’t people get help?

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMSSIGNS AND SYMPTOMS Does your child express feelings Does your child express feelings

of . . .of . . . Sadness and emptinessSadness and emptiness Hopelessness, pessimism, or guiltHopelessness, pessimism, or guilt WorthlessnessWorthlessness

Do they Do they seem . . .seem . . .

Unable to make decisionsUnable to make decisions Unable to concentrate & Unable to concentrate & rememberremember

Lost interest or pleasure in Lost interest or pleasure in ordinary activitiesordinary activities

Have more problems with Have more problems with school and familyschool and family

Do They Complain Do They Complain of . . .of . . .

Loss of energy and driveLoss of energy and drive Trouble falling asleep, Trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking staying asleep, or waking upup

Appetite problemsAppetite problems Headaches, stomach aches, Headaches, stomach aches, or backachesor backaches

Has their behavior Has their behavior changed changed suddenlysuddenly so so

that . . .that . . . They are restless or more They are restless or more

irritableirritable They want to be alone most of They want to be alone most of

the timethe time They have started cutting They have started cutting

classes or dropping activitiesclasses or dropping activities They may be drinking or taking They may be drinking or taking

drugsdrugs

Have they talked Have they talked about . . .about . . .

DeathDeath SuicideSuicide Attempting to hurt Attempting to hurt themselvesthemselves

PREVENTION AND EARLY PREVENTION AND EARLY INTERVENTION SAVES INTERVENTION SAVES

LIVESLIVES

Recognize the warning Recognize the warning signssigns

Talk to someone who can Talk to someone who can helphelp