Having a rough

day?

First the facts

1 in 4 will experience a mental health issue in 1 year.

1 in 15 young adults self harm.

6.2% (458800) of 16-24 year olds have attempted

suicide.

The second largest cause of injury-related deaths

for the 15-19 age group is suicide/self-harm

Rates of mental health problems among children

increase as they reach adolescence.

More than half of all adults with mental health

problems were diagnosed in childhood.

Ever felt like this?

This revision is

making me

want to like, kill

myself!

I’m so depressed

right now

Oh what’s

the point!!!

What kind of things make

you sad?

Task 1Split into groups and come up with a list of things

that make you sad.

So what is Depression?

● Depression is more than simply feeling unhappy or being fed up

● Depression affects people in different ways and can cause a wide variety of symptoms

● A lasting feeling of sadness

● Losing interest in things you used to enjoy

● Tearful and anxious

● You sleep a lot or you don’t sleep enough

● You don’t eat or you eat too much

● You become more withdrawn and reclusive

● You feel rundown and are more susceptible to illness (depression affects your immune system)

● You become unable to make decisions

● You start to become unable to cope with general living

Back to those lists … Now that you know the definition of

clinical depression

Can you tell us what, from your

lists, could cause depression?

Different kinds of depression?

Clinical Depression

Bipolar Depression

Seasonal Affective Disorder

Bipolar (Manic) Depression

Manic Phase Depressive Phase

Extreme irritability Feeling guilty / worthless

Lack of concentration Changes in appetite

Talking very fast Excessive sleeping

Feeling ‘euphoric’ Forgetfulness, difficulty

concentrating

Aggressive Loss of interest in doing what you

used to enjoy

Increased impulsive behaviour Feeling ‘hopeless’

Poor judgement Suicidal thoughts

Seasonal Affective Disorder

● Serious condition!!

● You DO NOT have this if you just feel a bit down

and cold.

● It is a form of depression.

● Symptoms generally get worse November –

February when there is reduced daylight.

● Not just ‘the winter blues’ and is often

misdiagnosed.

● Treatment = ‘Light Therapy’ = sitting near to a

specialist bulb for a few hours a day. Speak to

GP.

How do you know if you are

depressed?

When you are depressed you often do not know

who to turn to, or how to even start asking for help.

Usually you will deny it to yourself that there is even

anything wrong. This is the first hurdle.

It is important to remove the stigma surrounding

mental health conditions.

You need to be able to identify the symptoms!

“Lately Lindsay hasn't felt like herself. Her friends have noticed it.

Kia was surprised when Lindsay stayed home instead of joining their

usual Saturday group in town. She spent most of the day sleeping.

Staying in more than usual isn't the only change in Lindsay. She's

always been a really good student, but over the past couple of months

her grades have fallen. She has trouble concentrating. She forgot to turn

in a piece of coursework and is having a hard time getting motivated to

study.

Lindsay feels tired all the time but has difficulty falling asleep. She's

gained weight too. When her mother asks her what's wrong, Lindsay just

feels like crying. But she doesn't know why. Nothing particularly bad has

happened. Yet Lindsay feels sad all the time and can't shake it.”

Let’s talk about Lindsay…

● What do you think is wrong with Lindsay?

● But … she said nothing bad has happened, it

can’t be depression right?

● What could go wrong if she leaves it

untreated?

● If she doesn’t know what is wrong with her,

how is she going to seek help?

● Lindsay is depressed.

● Depression DOES NOT need a trigger

● It is VITAL that we learn to recognise the

symptoms and encourage people to get the help

that they need!

Deal with it.

How do we deal with being

upset?

Over

eat Lash out

at people

we care

about

Skip school/

work and

spend a lot of

time alone

Self harm

for release Turn to alcohol /

drugs as

escapism

But not like this

My friend is depressed, what do I

say to them?

Firstly there isn’t anything you can say that will instantly make them better.

Ask them if they want to talk about it.

If they do then good! Listen!

If they don’t then they don’t, tell them that you are there for them.

Give them a hug! Tell them that it will get better and that they are not

alone.

The stigma attached to mental health isn’t helped by people assuming that

depression = mental breakdown! It doesn’t!

What can be done to help

then?Talk to friends/

family

Talk to

teachers or

school

guidance

counsellors

Various charities:

• Mind.org.uk

• Youngminds.co.uk

Samaritans/

Childline offer a 24

hour service.

Confidential

advisors always

available to help

you, completely

anonymous

Talk to GPs and let

them refer you to

Psychotherapy

Services

You’ve been diagnosed…

what happens next?

● Am I going to be piled with drugs?

● Can I still work and go to school?

● Am I on some kind of register, will I always be

known as a ‘depressive’?

● Will it stop me applying for jobs or for university?

So what actually happens?

● Depression is caused by faulty neurotransmitters in the brain which lead to a lack of serotonin and dopamine in the brain.

● There are many ways to treat this, including anti-depressants, coupled alongside behavioural / talk therapy with qualified professionals whose only aim is to get you back on track.

● If one treatment isn’t for you, don’t write them all off. Brains are tricky things; different things work for different people.

● You can still attend school if you feel up to it;

there are no rules preventing you from getting

educated whilst undergoing treatment.

● Your welfare will be closely monitored and you

will have a contact who you can turn to at any

time for help.

● Having ‘depression’ on your medical records

WILL NOT impact on your university application /

job application.

For stressful times ahead

What makes you stressed?

● Exams?

● Relationship?

● Family?

● School work?

● Maybe all of the above?

Stress is natural and its a useful reaction.

But only in small doses.

TASK 2

Look back at your list, what could you do to

tackle these problems/reduce the negative

impact they have on you

What can you do about stress?

1. Be Active - Exercise! Play some sport, get outside!

2. Take Control - Get organised. Plan ahead.

3. Connect With People - Talk to your friends!

4. Have “me time” - Relax! Reflect on yourself.

5. Challenge Yourself - Be proactive, Set goals, Just do

stuff!

6. Avoid Unhealthy Habits - I’m looking at you smokers!

7. Volunteer - No seriously, it helps! Trust me.

8. Work Smarter, Not Harder - Prioritise.

9. Be Positive - Smile! Acting positive makes you

positive!

10.Accept The Stuff You Can’t Change - You can’t

control everything.

Important contacts locally!● Samaritans : 08457 90 90 90.

Nottingham Branch. 24 hour support. Even if its

just someone to talk to about how you are feeling.

There is no pressure to rush into

diagnoses/treatment, until you are ready.

● Saneline is a mental health helpline offering

specialist emotional support and information to

anyone affected by mental illness.

Call 08457 67 80 00 (6pm-11pm) or email SANEmail

● Childline : 0800 1111 = Free. Confidential.

Specifically for young adults.

We are here to help!

If you feel like you are stuck and

can’t help yourself, please talk to

someone who can help you.

Depression is very real, and is very

treatable.

THANKS!

QUESTIONS?Health4youths@gmail.com

http://www.su.nottingham.ac.uk/volunteerin

g/volunteering-opportunities/student-led-

projects/health-4-youths/