Feeling Low

							IAP VISION 2007


                                          Feeling Depressed
                                          •It is not normal to feel repeatedly depressed, especially for a
                                          prolonged time

                                          •Feeling of depression persists in many situations: school,
                                          home, social events etc

                                          •You no longer enjoy activities that you used to enjoy before like
                                          friends, music, movies, sports etc
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                                          •It may not be related to any specific cause or event

                                          •It lasts for a long time ( >six weeks ) and affects your routine :
                                           sleep, eating, studies etc

                                          •The depression is only temporarily relieved by distraction

                                          Adolescent Friendly School Initiative
IAP VISION 2007



                                          Signs of Depression

                                          •   Mood changes : crying , despair, sadness, emptiness
                                          •   Irritability, argumentativeness ,aggressiveness
                                          •   Sleep and appetite changes
                                          •   Lack of interest in usual activities and friends
                                          •   Frequent complaints of physical illnesses
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                                          •   Alcohol and drug abuse
                                          •   Poor concentration, Loss of energy
                                          •   Increased self-criticism
                                          •   Frequent absenteeism & poor school performance
                                          •   Increased talk of death and Threats of suicide.

                                          Adolescent Friendly School Initiative
IAP VISION 2007


                                              Factors that may precipitate clinical
                                                          depression

                                          • Body Image issues
                                          • Family problems, School failure ,loss of friends or
                                            belongings, breakups, death of loved ones etc
                                          • Personality: Low self-esteem, self-critical, poor coping
                                            skills
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                                          • History of family depression
                                          • Abuse: Physical /Mental/ Sexual
                                          • Genetic / Hereditary/Biological ,

                                             This requires treatment from health professionals:
                                             Counselors , clinical Psychologists ,family doctor,
                                           Adolescent Friendly School Initiative
                                             adolescent Pediatrician, Psychiatrist
IAP VISION 2007


                                            Warning Signs of Suicide
                                          • Person keeps talking about death,
                                            suicide threats.
                                          • Takes excessive risks.
                                          • Increased alcohol/ drug use.
                                          • Giving away of prized personal
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                                            possessions, making a plan.
                                          • The collection and discussion of
                                            information on suicide methods.
                                          • The expression of hopelessness,
                                            helplessness, and anger at oneself or
                                            the Friendly School Initiative
                                          Adolescentworld.
IAP VISION 2007


                     How to Help Someone Who is Suicidal
                                                           DO                              DON’T
                                          Voice concern.                         Assume the situation will
                                                                                   take care of itself.
                                          Ask if the person has a
                                           plan.                                  Leave the person alone.
                                                                                  Be sworn to secrecy.
                                          Early professional help.
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                                             - Doctor                             Act shocked.
                                             - Emergency room
                                             - Local clinic                       Challenge or dare.
                                             - Local hospital
                                                                                  Argue or debate moral
                                          Tell someone else or call               issues.
                                           police.

                                          Adolescent Friendly School Initiative
IAP VISION 2007


                                          Why knowing about depression is
                                          so important ?

                                          • Depression is treatable by counseling /
                                            medicines
                                          • Severely depressed persons have a risk of
                                            wanting to commit suicide
                                          • Suicide is preventable specially by “alert “ friends,
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                                            family, teachers
                                          • “By alert” it is meant that someone who is aware
                                            of the signs that can warn us that a person is
                                            thinking of suicide


                                           Adolescent Friendly School Initiative
IAP VISION 2007
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                                          Adolescent Friendly School Initiative
IAP VISION 2007




                                          • If students /teachers ask for more
                                            information on suicide then show the
                                            next slides
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                                          Adolescent Friendly School Initiative
IAP VISION 2007



                                          FLAG SIGNS OF SUICIDE
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                                          Adolescent Friendly School Initiative
IAP VISION 2007



                                          LISTEN
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                                          Adolescent Friendly School Initiative