Issue link: https://fredparent.uberflip.com/i/722388
www.FredParent.NET • 19 DePression sYMPToMs can vary in severity, but changes in your teen's emotions and behavior may include the examples below. eMoTionAL chAnGes Be alert for emotional changes, such as: • Feelings of sadness, which can include crying spells for no apparent reason • Feeling hopeless or empty • Irritable or annoyed mood • Frustration or feelings of anger, even over small matters • Loss of interest or pleasure in normal activities • Loss of interest in, or conflict with, family and friends • Low self-esteem • Feelings of worthlessness or guilt • Fixation on past failures or exaggerated self-blame or self-criticism • Extreme sensitivity to rejection or failure, and the need for excessive reassurance • trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions and remembering things • Ongoing sense that life and the future are grim and bleak • Frequent thoughts of death, dying or suicide BehAViorAL chAnGes Watch for changes in behavior, such as: • tiredness and loss of energy • Insomnia or sleeping too much • Changes in appetite — decreased appetite and weight loss, or increased cravings for food and weight gain • Use of alcohol or drugs • Agitation or restlessness — for example, pacing, hand-wringing or an inability to sit still • Slowed thinking, speaking or body movements • Frequent complaints of unexplained body aches and headaches, which may include frequent visits to the school nurse • Social isolation • Poor school performance or frequent absences from school • neglected appearance • Angry outbursts, disruptive or risky behavior, or other acting-out behaviors • Self-harm — for example, cutting, burning, or excessive piercing or tattooing • Making a suicide plan or a suicide attempt Source: Mayo Clinic Join Mental health America Fredericksburg on its annual quest to bring awareness to suicide. the 2016 Another Day: Campaign for Suicide Prevention is set for october 15, 2016. Come walk to prevent suicide and to save lives. 100 percent of the funds raised stay locally to provide suicide prevention education in schools and in the community. Enjoy music, dance teams, a raffle, a silent auction, games, food, and lots more at this family-friendly event. For more information, contact Amy Jones: 540-371-2704 or email: amy.suicideprevention@gmail.com. Ask Questions If you think that your teen may be clinically depressed (see sidebar for symptoms) or may be experiencing external factors leading to depression or suicide—like bullying—ask them. "Before I moved to this area, I did suicide prevention education and screen- ing for a number of years in Ohio, and the screening question would ask, 'Are you thinking about killing yourself' and kids would say 'yes." And I would wonder 'Why are they telling me?' and it's because I was asking them. If you think someone may be considering taking their life, you have to ask them," says Cardone. She employs what is known as an ACt model, developed by a group called Screening for Mental Health, to gauge risk factors. It's something that children and teens can use when they suspect that a friend is considering suicide. "ACt is an acronym which stands for ask, care and tell. So if you suspect that your friend is feeling depressed or sad and are thinking of killing them- selves, you say, 'Hey, I know that you've been feeling this way.' then you show that you care, 'I really want you to be OK.' Show empathy. then you have to tell a trusted adult. there are adults in the community trained to deal with these sorts of things. And if the first person doesn't help (or they minimize the situation), find someone who will help," Cardone says. It's important that parents and peers take depression seriously. Many par- ents may not want to admit that their child is depressed or suicidal because there is a stigma that surrounds mental health. But that sort of pride or fear could end with grave consequences. "Parents are afraid to deal with this because they think, 'My kid would never do that.' It's more socially acceptable if your child has a fever. you call the doctor, you put them in with your primary care physician. If someone is experiencing mental and emotional difficulty, it oftentimes is difficult for [parents] to pick up the phone and make that call. that's what we do [at Mental Health America], we want to break up that stigma so people will reach out to us and get help," says Cardone. Following the death of Dejah Jones, her friends, family and community held a vigil outside of her newport news, Virginia, high school. they remem- bered their friend and loved one and the impact she had on their lives. "It was devastating. It kind of hurt more that we weren't aware, she didn't have anybody else to go to," says terrinae White, captain of the Woodside High School volleyball team. "I've already talked to my team and I told them this is why I want the closeness. I want a big sister relationship between these two teams and I feel like Dejah could have had that, but we should have enforced it a little bit more." registration: 9:00 a.m. Walk: 10:00 a.m. raise $25 or more to receive a t-Shirt https://mhafred.org/events/another-day/