From Blue to You

Helping a Friend through Depression

What is depression?

• A common mental disorder or illness

• Involves the body, mood, and

thoughts

What depression is not

• Depression is not the same as feeling sad or down once in a while

• It is not the same as “moodiness”

Is depression common?

• One in eight teens suffers from depression

• In an average classroom, 3-4 teens will have depression

Listen to the teens in this video

• http://www.bpkids.org/site/PageServer?pagename=dfn_video

• Pay attention to what you hear them saying.

What do you see? • Depression can

happen to anyone

• Few friends or loss of interest in friends

• Disturbance or change in sleeping habits

• Change in eating habits

• Influenced by– School– Friends– Family

• Feelings of isolation

What are the symptoms?

• Physical symptoms

• Emotional symptoms

• Social symptoms

Signs to look for in your friends• Always tired

• Drops out of favorite activities

• Problems with schoolwork

• More arguments with parents and teachers

• More irritable than usual

• Looks sad

• Easily discouraged

• More distant with friends and family

• Talks about feeling like a failure

• Talks about or tries to hurt him or herself

• Emergencies

• IF YOUR FRIEND IS TRYING TO HURT HIM OR HERSELF, OR TALKING ABOUT TRYING TO HURT HIM OR HERSELF, TALK TO A TRUSTED ADULT

• IF YOU DON’T HAVE TIME – CALL 911

Stigma• What perceptions or beliefs do you think your

friends have about depression?

• Why do you think teens do not ask for help when they think they may have depression?

• How do you think you can help to reduce stigma about depression in teens?

• If your friend needs help, what can be done?

• Talk to a therapist

• Take medication

• Combination: talk and medication therapy

• You can also look online for help

• Informal supports and chat rooms

http://www.dailystrength.org/c/depression-teen/support-group

http://www.teen-moods.net

• Blogs

http://www.wingofmadness.com

• Websites

http://www.depressedteens.com

• If you go online

• Practice *safe* internet habits

– Share site with a trusted adult

– NEVER agree to meet in person anyone you talk to online

– NEVER share personal information

What to do if you think a friend has depression?

• Get help

• Talk

• Listen

• Help your friend with treatment

• Be active together and go out

• Do not expect your friend to be his or her “old self” right away

What to do if you think you have depression?

• Get help

• Keep active

• Eat properly

• Do not take alcohol and drugs

• Don’t get upset if you can’t sleep

• Do something you enjoy

• Read about depression

• References• Mayo Clinic Staff (2008). Depression: Supporting loved ones through their battle with

depression. Minneapolis, MN: Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression/MH00016

• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) (2008c). How do children and adolescents experience depression? Bethesda, MD: National Institutes of Health. Available online: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression/how-do-children-and-adolescents-experience-depression.shtml

• www.nami.org National Alliance on Mental Illness• www.beyondblue.org National Depression Initiative (Australia)• The First 48 Hours: Top 10 Depression Myths Debunked By Deborah Gray Retrieved from

www.mydepressionconnection.com on 1/30/08• Depression Myths Quiz: Do you have all the facts straight on depression? By Depression Expert

Teri Robert Retrieved from www.mydepressionconnection.com on 1/30/08• Statistics retrieved from http://www.add-adhd-help-center.com/Depression/statistics.htm on

1/28/08• Iannelli, V. M.D., Depression in Children and Adolescents. Retrieved from

http://pediatrics.about.com/cs/mentalhealth/a/depression_2.htm . • Study published in Psychiatric Services, April 2004. Reported in health news archive:

http://www.upliftprogram.com/h_depression.html#h77 Pill-Popping Pre-Schoolers, Even Toddlers Get the Blues

• Harvard University study reported in Harvard Mental Health Newsletter, February 2002.• Retrieved from http://www.about-teen-depression.com/index.html on 01/28/08• The Brown University Child and Adolescent Behavior Letter, Vol. 18, No 4, April 2002.

Copyright © 2010 for materials developed by University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension. This publication may be reproduced in portions or its entirety for educational or nonprofit purposes only. Permitted users shall give credit to the author(s) and include this copyright notice. Educational programs of Kentucky Cooperative Extension serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability, or national origin.

Leigh Ann Simmons; MFT, PhDformer Assistant ProfessorDepartment of Family Studies

Ester Edwards, BSGraduate studentDepartment of Family Studies

Leslie Crofford, MDProfessor, College of Medicine

April 2010

Health Education through Extension Leadership The development of the HEEL program was made possible by Senator Mitch McConnell with funds earmarked for the University of Kentucky, College o f Agriculture, Lexington Ky. and budgeted through the CSREES/USDA Federal Administration.

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