Depression and Suicide Bulletin Board Submitted by Talitha Anderson Resident Advisor, Streit Perham

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Depression and Suicide Bulletin BoardSubmitted
by Talitha AndersonResident Advisor, Streit
Perham Hall

• This board has an emphases on making sure
  students know that there are resources and hope.
  
• I used it along with a program.
• The information is still extremely valuable. It
  not only includes facts and symptoms but tips and
  advice on how to help a friend or one's self as
  well as national resources for someone who might
  be suicidal.
• Headings are also color coordinated - Green is
  the color of depression awareness and yellow is
  the color for suicide prevention.
• There is a picture after the content slides of
  the board as it appeared on my floor.

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Depression

• Depression is more than having the blues or
  feeling down. Symptoms usually last for two weeks
  or longer and can be mild to severe. When a
  student stops attending classes or withdraws
  socially, it may be time to be concerned. Typical
  symptoms usually occur all day for every day.

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Depression Symptoms

• Feeling depressed or sad
• Loss of interest in activities
• Crying frequently
• Irritable or angry
• Loss or increase of appetite
• Weight loss or weight gain
• Insomnia or sleeping a lot
• Exhaustion or loss of energy
• Feeling worthless
• Difficulty concentrating
• Trouble making decisions
• Hopelessness about the future
• Thoughts of suicide
• 
  

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Coping with Depression What You Can do for
Yourself

• Let someone know you are struggling.
• Stay active, attend classes, and remain social.
• Exercise.
• Be aware that depression influences thinking, so
  your thinking may not be accurate.
• Try to set realistic goals for yourself.
• Reduce your stress.
• Take extra special care of yourself.
• Seek the help of a counselor or medical
  practitioner

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Depression Statistics

• Major Depressive Disorder is the leading cause of
  disability in the U.S. for ages 18-44.
• Major Depressive Disorder affects approximately
  14.8 million adults, or about 6.7 of the U.S.
  population age 18 and older in a given year.
• National Institute of Mental Health

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Depression Facts

• There is no single cause of depression. It likely
  results from a combination of genetic,
  biochemical, environmental, and psychological
  factors.
• Some types of depression tend to run in families,
  suggesting a genetic link. However, depression
  can occur in people without a family history of
  depression as well.
• Research indicates that depressive illnesses are
  disorders of the brain. Brain imaging
  technologies have shown that brains of people
  with depression look different than those of
  people without depression.
• National Institute
  of Mental Health

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Depression Men vs. Women

• Men
• Men often experience depression differently than
  women and may have different ways of coping with
  the symptoms.
• Men are more likely to acknowledge having
  fatigue, irritability, loss of interest in
  once-pleasurable activities, and sleep
  disturbances.
• Men are more likely to turn to alcohol or drugs
  when they are depressed or become frustrated,
  discouraged, irritable, angry, and sometimes
  abusive.
• Some men throw themselves into their work to
  avoid talking about their depression with family
  or friends, or engage in reckless risky behavior.

• Women
• Depression is more common among women than men.
• Women are more likely to admit feelings of
  sadness, worthlessness, and/or excessive guilt,
• Biological, life cycle, hormonal, and
  psychosocial factors unique to women may be
  linked to womens higher depression rate.
• Women are more vulnerable to depression after
  giving birth or with the transition into
  menopause.
• Many women face the additional stresses of work
  and home responsibilities caring for children
  and aging parents, abuse, poverty, and
  relationship strains.

National Institute of Mental Health
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DepressionHow can I help a Friend?

• Offer emotional support, understanding, patience,
  and encouragement.
• Engage your friend in conversation and listen
  carefully.
• Never disparage feelings your friend expresses,
  but point out realities and offer hope.
• Never ignore comments about suicide, and report
  them to your friends therapist, doctor, or
  another authority figure.
• Invite your friend out for walks, outings, and
  other activities. Keep trying if he/she declines
  but dont push him/her too soon.
• Remind your friend that with time and treatment,
  the depression will lift.
• 
  National Institute of Mental Health

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Suicide

• Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the
  United States according to the National Institute
  of Mental Health.
• Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death of
  young people.
• In 2004, 8.2 per 100,000 adolescents (15-19 yrs)
  died by suicide and 12.5 per 100,000 Young Adults
  (20-24 yrs) died by suicide.
• National Institute of Mental Health,
  WSU Counseling Services

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Suicide Risk Factors

• Depression and other mental disorders, or a
  substance abuse disorder (often with other mental
  disorders). More than 90 of people who die by
  suicide have these risk factors.
• Stressful life events in combination with other
  risk factors. However suicide and suicidal
  behavior are not normal responses to stress.
• Prior suicide attempt.
• Family history of suicide.
• Exposure to the suicidal behaviors of others,
  such as family members, peers, or media figures.
• Incarceration
• Family violence, including physical and sexual
  abuse.
• National
  Institute of Mental Health

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Suicide Warning Signs

• Talking directly or indirectly about committing
  suicide or wanting to die
• Previous suicide attempt
• Abrupt change in personality and/or behavior
  (withdrawal, aggression, or moodiness)
• Increase in alcohol and/or drug use
• Rebellion and hostility
• Withdrawing from friends and activities
• Sudden drop in school performance
• Giving away special possessions
• Recent experience of loss
• Feelings of hopelessness or despair
• Unusual calmness after a loss or period of
  depression
• Neglect of personal appearance
• 
  WSU Counseling Services

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Suicide Men vs. Women

• Men
• In 2004, suicide was the 8th leading cause of
  death for men.
• Four times as many men as women die by suicide.
  For young adults, 6 times as many men as women
  die by suicide.

• Women
• In 2004, suicide was the 16th leading cause of
  death for women.
• Women attempt suicide two or three times as often
  as men.

National Institute of Mental Health
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Suicide PreventionWhat can you do to help
someone?

• Trust your suspicionsthe majority of people who
  are suicidal show signs before making an attempt.
• Make yourself available to listen and talk.
• Remain calm.
• Ask directly about suicideyou will not be
  putting thoughts into the persons head.
• Take the person seriously show that you care.
• Offer support, but dont try to handle this on
  your own.
• If the person refuses help, contact someone
  immediately.
• Maintain contact with the person until help is
  secured.

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Suicide Prevention Resources

• Crisis Lines
• National Suicide Hotline
• 1-800-442-HOPE
• 1-800-SUICIDE
• 1-800-GRDHELP
• Local Crisis Line (Insert your local here)
• Police/Paramedics 911

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