Depression Prevention

Miss Hopkins

Warm-up

•Fill out the ‘Know’ and ‘Want’ section of the KWL chart

Depression•A mood disorder with feelings of hopelessness and sadness for 2 or more weeks

•Disorder – a disturbance in mental health or function

•What does ‘sad’ look like?

•What does ‘depressed’ look like?

Signs of Depression

•Persistent sadness

•Loss of pleasure and interest in activities once enjoyed

•Fatigue or loss of energy

•Weight changes

•Thoughts of suicide or death

Coping Strategies•Stay connected

–List 1 person.

•Use management skills

–Take a break–Plan ahead

•Avoid alcohol and drugs

–Alcohol and some drugs are depressants

•Seek treatment

Resources

•Wellness Center – Room B103

•Doctor or counselor

–List one.

•National Hopeline Network 1-800-784-2433

Activity

• Letter to a friend

Take a 5 minute break

Suicide

Miss Hopkins

Categories

• Facts On Suicide will give general information that could help students understand the seriousness of the problem.

• Suicide Myths are statements or beliefs that people believe about suicide but are NOT true.

• Students Who Are At Higher Risk of suicide are groups of students 'statistically' at a higher risk of attempting suicide. That doesn't mean that if a student is a member of the group, they are automatically suicidal. Nor does it mean that if they are not members of the group, they are not suicidal.

Categories

• Warning Signs of Suicide are clues given before someone attempts to kill themselves. Remember: suicidal individuals do not want to die, they want their problems to end. They often give out these warning signs before a suicide attempt.

• Verbal Signs of Suicide are statements that hint at someone's suicidal feelings or intentions.

Activity

• Place your card in what you think is the correct category.– Pink– Yellow– Green– Orange

• Organize as a class

• Copy information

Group Activity

• Read the story aloud with your group.

• Discuss story with one another.

• Record “At-Risk Group”, “Warning Signs”, and “Verbal Warnings”.

• Read story to class and report findings.