DECEMBER 17, 2010 VOLUME IV ISSUE 4 DEXTER HIGH SCHOOL 2200 N. PARKER ROAD DEXTER, MI 48130

theRostrum

The community has rallied around the Haviland family similarly to how they rallied around the King family earlier in the year. “(The community) has helped a lot” Jake said. “A bunch of people sent food, and my friends brought food and clothes over so they’ve helped me ease back into my life. So the community’s been really great.”

In terms of ways to help recognize and cope with depression, Mill Creek Middle School has a counseling link on their website that allows students and parents to examine different areas that may require counseling. These areas include ADHD, anxiety, depression, divorce and several other common problems that middle school students may run into. The links forward those who click them to a number of different sources, including the University of Michigan official website.

According to the University of Michigan website, depression is common among children under 18 years old. Approximately 5 percent of students at any one time may suffer from serious depression. Depression becomes progressively more common with age, especially after puberty sets in. It is during this time that adolescents become the most prone to depression.

According to the website, the important thing to remember is that depression may not always be completely visible to everyone around an adolescent. A child may be perfectly happy to the naked eye, but in their head there may be an entirely new set of thoughts that no one has seen.

The treatment options for depression have become more prevalent for victims than they have been in the past, according to the U of M website. These include a combination of psychotherapy and antidepressants, along with consistent follow-ups for the patient. Children and teenagers who suffer from depression, even if they appear cured, always have a risk of contract depression again in their adult life. At the first sign of a relapse, the family of a victim must seek immediate professional attention.

Another important fact about depression is that it may have nothing to do with an individual’s social life. Just because a person seems perfectly happy doesn’t mean that they aren’t susceptible to depression. The number of friends that a person has or their lifestyle doesn’t mean that they can’t get it. Everyone is

vulnerable to the effects of depression, which is a common misconception that people have about the condition, according to the University of Michigan.

For the individual, there are symptoms of depression that are recognizable. According to Help Guide’s depression section, they include insomnia, sleeping too much, lack of concentration, hopelessness, an inability to control negative thoughts, loss of appetite, irritability and thoughts that life is not worth living. If any of these symptoms hold true for an individual consistently, they must seek immediate help, according to HelpMe.org.

Jake said the Haviland family’s goal is to make people aware of depression and the problems that it poses to families. The fund’s location is at 4250 Plymouth Rd. Room 1332, Ann Arbor, MI. It is also possible to make donations to the fund online.

The fund is a section of the University of Michigan Depression Center, which allows anyone who has lost a love one to set up a fund for that person. There is a link on the University of Michigan website to contact them in order to set up such a fund. The Havilands will be using their donations in order to promote depression awareness, particularly for teens.

In terms of what brings on depression, there are many factors that can contribute. These include genetics and life experiences that are particularly traumatic. Depression can lead to other complications such as cardiovascular disease. Depression also may set in after surgery.

The first people who should be made aware of a condition such as depression are the victim’s family, according to HelpMe.org. It may be made apparent to them by the person’s behavior. Those suffering from depression may begin to act withdrawn or angry all the time. Family members should pick up on these symptoms and address them immediately by seeking out a doctor or counselor.

But according to Jake, Sean Haviland was not just another victim of depression. He is remembered by his friends and family as a loving brother, friend, and son. However, it is extremely important that people look out for depression, since it may not be made apparent on the surface that a victim is suffering.

The most difficult part when an event like this happens is to keep one’s composure and not do anything rash themselves, since cluster suicides can also be prevalent within high schools, especially when the victim had a close circle of friends.

“The only advice I’d have is stay close to your family or anyone who can relate to what you’re going through,” Haviland said. “It’s tough, but all you can do is know they moved on to a better place.”

2 the spreadFriday, December 17, 2010 3the spread

Friday, December 17, 2010

Haviland family starts fund for depression awareness(Continued from Page 1)

Kevin Skivernews editor

Sean Haviland’s 8th grade school picture, taken prior to the 2010-11 school year.

photos provided by the Haviland Family

Postgame Celebration: Sean stands with his parents after a little league baseball game.

Lauren Matthews* walks through the school with hundreds of other teens, yet she feels alone. Matthews suffers from depression and constantly feels saddened. “It feels like you’re drowning. I could literally lay in bed, close my eyes and imagine me drowning,” she said.

Many teens suffer from depression, and it’s not often evident on the outside. They may seem normal to the eye, but inside they are filled with hateful thoughts.

Clinical Psychotherapist Paula Meyer understands these depressed feelings and works with teens to relieve them. She said, “Depression varies from person to person and can differ between males and females. If you have depression, you should tell someone right away.”

Counselor Gerry Holmes also provides depressed teens with the help they need. “The counselors let our students know that there is help out there, and they don’t have to live feeling this way,” she said. “Help is available. All you have to do is ask. We try to convey the message that if you think you are depressed, you aren’t alone.”

Matthews said her depression began after her parents announced they were getting a divorce. She said, “Depression ruins your day, your friendships, your appetite, and it drains you emotionally, mentally and physically every moment of your life. I have no interest in being with people. My grades have suffered. I have no interest in school. I hardly ever see my friends, and I make up excuses to avoid being with them.”

Matthews also had an incident in school where she attempted to vent her feelings in class to others. The response

she received was quite upsetting. “They wrote how I was worthless, how I should make the world a better place and kill myself and how my life wasn’t worth living,” Matthews said. “People should know they affect each other.”

Meyer said that she wants teens to know if they suffer from depression. “If you have five of these nine symptoms for more than two weeks at a time, you may be depressed: depressed mood or irritability, loss of interest, weight gain or loss, sleep issues, feeling sluggish, fatigue, worthlessness, lack of concentration and suicidal ideation or planning.”

Matthews goes to a therapist to The Counseling Center of Ann Arbor to help her deal with her problems, and Meyer said therapy and prescription drugs are the best option.

“Talking about their issues helps teens to stop isolating themselves,” Meyer said. “It shows them that other people have the same problems. Journaling or writing also help because they get negative thoughts out.” She also said a healthy diet, exercise and no intake of alcohol will help rid depression.

Holmes said, “When we suspect that a teen is depressed and will need further evaluation and treatment, we typically refer the student out to their family physician. He or she will then check for medical causes of depression. If there are no health problems that are causing your depression, your doctor will likely refer you to a psychotherapist or a psychiatrist who specializes in children and adolescents.” Many students suffer with depression, and can relate with Matthews.

Matthews said, “You look around and everything reminds you of what is making you suffer and you sometimes wish you would just dream of nothing and sleep forever.”

* Student agreed to talk to The Squall only if her name was not used.

There is help for teens with depressionJennifer Stirling

staff writer

Depression and suicide facts•Suicide takes the lives of nearly 30,000 Americans every year.

•Many who attempt suicide never seek professional care.

•There are twice as many deaths due to suicide than HIV/AIDS.

•Between 1952 and 1995, suicide in young adults nearly tripled.

•Over half of all suicides occur in adult men, ages 25-65.

•80 percent of people who seek treatment for depression are treated successfully.

•By 2010, depression will be the #1 disability in the world.

•Suicide is the third leading cause of death for 15- to 24-year-old Americans.

•Last year SAVE (Suicide Awareness Voices of Education) educated 10,618 youth and parents on depression and suicide prevention.

•There are three female suicide attempts for each male attempt.

•An average of one person dies by suicide every 16.2

minutes.

•It is estimated that there are at least 4.5 million survivors in this country.

•1 in 65,000 children ages 10 to 14 commit suicide each year.

•There are an estimated 8 to 25 attempted suicides to one completion.

•Substance abuse is a risk factor for suicide.

(All facts are from save.org)

Taylor Schmidtstaff writer

Are

you

depr

esse

d? Taylor Schmidtstaff writer

Do you have:1.) Little interest or pleasure in doing things?

a. not at all b. a few days c. more than half the days d. every day

2.) Feeling down, depressed or hopeless?

a. not at all b. a few days c. more than half the days d. every day

3.) Trouble falling or staying asleep? a. not at all b. a few days c. more than half the days d. every day

4.) Feeling tired or having little energy? a. not at all b. a few days c. more than half the days d. everyday

5.) Poor appetite or overeating?a. not at allb. a few daysc. more than half the daysd. ever yday

6.) Have trouble concentrating such as watching TV?a. not at allb. a few daysc. more than half the daysd. every day

For the full interactive version of this quiz go to http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression/

MH00103_D

For students who may feel depressed, the first resources to go to are either the school coun-

selors or the student’s physician. Other possible resources include:

University of Michigan Comprehensive Depression Center at (734-936-4400),

The Ozone House at (734- 662-2222), or Corner Health Center at

(734- 484-3600).

4 uPageFriday, Decemer 17, 2010&QA

Q- Where do you gain inspiration for your videos?A- All of my wonderful friends.

Q- Have you ever considered collaborating with BeanerKeeKee?A- Yes I have, but it probably wouldn’t work out that well, his head’s too big.

Q- Spice Girls, great or greatest?A- Greatest, who doesn’t love the Spice Girls?

Q- Can you tell me what you want, what you really really want?A- Not right now.

Q- Do you have any desire to sing in the future?A- Yes. I would like to be an opera singer.

Q- How do you feel about the viking hats opera singers wear?A- I don’t support them.

Q- How many trillions of hits does your Youtube channel have?A- I think it’s in the thousands.

Q- Any closing statements for the students of DHS?A- Hit me up on up on my YouTube channel: MRYOUKNOWIT. Get at your boy!

Link to Winkle’s videos:ht tp : / /www.youtube .com/user /

MRYOUKNOWIT

5X5

Where’s North Korea?

Crossbow- explosive tip.

AK-47 ACOG bayonet attached with a grenade launcher.

Purple light-saber. Wand in my off hand. And my staff.

No weak American can defeat the great country of North Ko-rea. Except Morgan Cole. She seems to be a legitimate threat.

Is fat and ugly. Is heavenly ... like an angel.

Is psychohilarious.

Beautiful. Is almost as useless as my son.

Proabably not, but I’m surprised Steve could lift those weights.

Better than Shakeweight?

Yes. Sure. Without a doubt in my mind.

Steve Miller. The sexiest body I have ever set my eyes on? I think so. I wouldn’t mind nuking that ...

Kill things. Teach it to fetch me a sandwich.

Make it be my best friend and go everywhere with me.

Probably dress it up in a butler outfit and make it cater to my every need.

Hold my sunglasses. And make it tickle me when I’m feeling blue.

A reindeer. A Shakeweight. Now that I’m thinking about it ... a monkey.

Anything Dave Matthews.

Spicy eggroll.

Weapon of choice in a war against North Korea?

Finish this sentence, Mr. Parker ...

ProBar. The future of bodybuilding?

If given a monkey, what would you make it do?

The top item on my Christ-mas list is ...

Mor

gan

Cole

(9)

Bren

nan

Mai

sch

(10)

Hai

ley

Shea

ts

(11)

Nic

kO

rr

(1

2)

Kim

Jong

Il

Marshall KellenbergeruPage editor

with Austin Winkle

Marshall KellenbergeruPage editor

Match the teachers to their celebrity man crushEnglish teacherAndrew Parker

P.E. teacher Michael McHugh

Tech teacherJoe Romeo

P.E. teacherTom Barbieri

Chris Farley Robert Pattinson Paul Newman Rich Rodriguez Adam Sandler

A.P. Gov. teacherCory Bergen

All celebrity photos from creativecommons.org/used as licensedOrganized and photoshopped by Marshall Kellenberger

A. B. C. E.D.

1 2 3 4 5

A,4/B,2/C,1/D,5/E,3