Depression & Suicide Prevention

Depression is a common mental health disorder characterized by low—or depressed—moods over an extended period of time. Nearly anyone can experience depression at some or multiple points in their life. It is a difficult condition to classify, as depression can feel and impact one’s life in very different ways. While no two people’s symptoms may be exactly the same, everyone’s experiences are equally valid.

Adolescence can be a tricky time for students as social situations change and develop, as school becomes more intensive, and as bodies change. It is common for students to feel depressed, to some degree, as they navigate these changes. One of the most important things during this time is for them to know that they have unconditional love and support.

Depression can be fueled by many different factors. Below is a broad, non-comprehensive list of particular themes and scenarios that may be affecting your student's mental health.

School stress: pressure to excel, demands of assignments, busyness of schedules and extracurricular commitments
Social situations: changes of friends and groups, peer pressure to participate in things that you don’t want to, bullying or feelings of exclusion
Family dynamics: moving, divorces and splitting of families, new marriages, new siblings or other family members, family crises or emergencies

Anything that causes emotional changes or upset can affect one's well-being and may lead to feeling depressed. Depression can also feel vague and unprovoked. It might seem that your student isn't troubled by anything in particular, but is still showing signs of depression. There may be underlying causes to their depressed moods, in which case talking it through with them is the best thing to do to help.

Depression can also be caused by genetics. If any of your family members have dealt with depression, there is a possibility that your student's depression could be caused by chemical imbalances. Just as everyone’s bodies work differently, some people are more prone to mood disorders depending on the genetics and biology of their brain.

There are many different symptoms of depression. Depression can look and feel differently to everyone. Here is a non-comprehensive list of what signs to look for if you're concerned that your student might be feeling depressed.

Emotional: A common perception of depression is having a depressed mood. This is not simply feeling “sad,” however—this could mean a wide range of sometimes unexpected, unpredictable, and uncomfortable feelings. They might feel anxious, “empty,” irritated, restless, hopeless, or worthless, among other emotions. You may also notice that they've lost interest in things or activities that they once loved or brought them joy.
Cognitive: School may become unexpectedly difficult for them, as depression affects motivation, concentration, and memory.
Physical: Depression can, and often does, affect one’s physical well-being.
- Sleep: Sleep patterns may be affected, such as sleeping too much, not being able to sleep well, or at all.
- Appetite: Eating habits may change. You might notice that they are eating too much or eating too little, sometimes resulting in weight loss or gain.
- Pain or discomfort: Although not as widely acknowledged, depression can certainly affect how your body feels. They might notice new aches and pains, upset stomach, headaches, chronic fatigue, or loss of energy.

If you or someone you know is at risk of harming themselves or others, please call 911 immediately. If you are having a non-emergency crisis and are in need of support, please reach out to the resources below.

All of the affects of depression can be severe and should be handled with care. Suicide can feel like a last resort to someone who is severely depressed and looking for relief. Just like physical illnesses, mental conditions—including depression—are serious and can be fatal.

Suicide is the deliberate taking of one's own life. It is not a mental disorder, but is often triggered by mental illnesses and is closely associated with depression. Suicidal thoughts can unwillingly develop as a response to unbearable feelings of depression, hopelessness, worthlessness, and more. People who have thoughts of suicide often don't want to die, but rather want to escape their thoughts, feelings, or life.

Stress, lack of support, questioning of identity, and emotional or physical abuse can also contribute to thoughts of suicide. Any feelings, experiences, or situations that seem to make life harder than it should be can fuel depression and the desire to harm oneself.

Signs of suicidal thoughts are often similar to (but sometimes more severe than) signs of depression. These include withdrawal from friends and family, lack of interest in activities, difficulties in school, and other uncharacteristic behaviors. Someone who is suicidal may also talk about hurting themselves, being worthless or a burden, or feeling trapped or in unbearable emotional pain.

It can be common for people with depression to experience suicidal thoughts to some degree. It is important to take these thoughts seriously, take the precautions below, and ask for the help that you need.

There are many types of help and treatments available for students who are struggling with depression. Here are some common options and first steps for helping them manage depression.

Talk to a doctor. Your student's physician can talk to you both about how they've been feeling and can refer them to a counselor or therapist. Frequent appointments with someone who can talk things through with them can make a world of a difference.
Create routines of self-care. Encourage your student to take the time to think about what makes them feel good. Who makes them feel uplifted? What activities bring them joy? Working these bits of positivity into their daily life might help them feel fulfilled and alleviate some of the distress they may be feeling. They will likely need your encouragement and support to keep up these routines.
Upon talking to their doctor or psychiatrist, consider medication. For some people, adults and adolescents alike, a combination of talk therapy, self-help skills, and medication can be a life-changing (or life-saving) combination.

No matter what you and your student feel is best, make sure to let them know that there is no shame in asking for help. Although there may not be a single solution to “feeling better,” one or a combination of these common treatments often help. It can also help to talk to other parents and family members for support and advice, as many people are affected by depression.

Again, depression, like physical ailments, is never asked for and needs to be taken as seriously as if someone were physically ill. There are silent and invisible survivors of depression, suicide, and dozens of other mental conditions all around. There are many resources available for both you and your student. If you need help connecting with your student about mental health, please reach out to school support staff and fellow parents and view the resources below.

Hotlines — Call & Text Support
If you or someone you know is at risk of harming themselves or others, please call 911 and notify the operator that you are having a psychaitric emergency. Ask for an officer trained in crisis intervention or psychiatric emergencies.

If you are having a non-emergency crisis, there are many resources for you to receive immediate relief by calling or texting with a trained crisis operator. Here is a list of some important numbers and resources to know about in case you find yourself or someone you know needing anonymous support.

National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433) or 1-800-442-HOPE (4673) or 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text "TALK" to 741741
Toll-free, 24-hour, confidential hotlines which connect you to a trained counselor at the nearest suicide crisis center.

SAMHSA’s National Helpline – 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
A free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.

Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
This hotline connects callers to trained crisis counselors. Their website is a 24-hour confidential hotline that offers details on how to call if you need help and how to identify suicide warning signs.

NAMI Hotline: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or text “NAMI” to 741741
NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.

The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386 or text "START" to 678678
The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people under 25.

School Resources
There are many educators at your student's school who are willing to talk and help. Here are some staff members who might be good resources for you and your student.

Websites — Resources & Information
There are many resources about depression and finding help on the internet. Below are some dependable links that you can browse for information and support.

Erika’s Lighthouse
Erika’s Lighthouse’s mission is to make sure no young person feels alone in their depression. They are dedicated to creating a community of empathy and education. This parent handbook is designed to help, with practical ideas written in an easy to read style. This is a parent-to-parent guide and contains ideas that will help you navigate mental health with your children.

HEARD Alliance
The HEARD Alliance (Health Care Alliance for Response to Adolescent Depression) provides resources for parents for treating depression and related conditions, and preventing suicide in adolescents and young adults.

Child Mind Institute
The Child Mind Institute wants to help you make good decisions for your kids and navigate the challenges of parenting. They explore concerns and challenges most from parents have and provide expert guidance on how to respond in the most effective way. They offer resources for parents that can help you get the best care for that child and the best outcome for your family.

The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people under 25.

Teen Mental Health
TMH has a plethora of links and resources for parents and adults on how to help and care for children and loved ones with mental health issues.

The Jason Foundation, Inc.
The Jason Foundation provides information, education programs and resources to help in the fight against the “silent epidemic” of youth suicide. They have a detailed guide and mass of information for parents.

Families for Depression Awareness
Families for Depression Awareness helps families recognize and cope with depression and bipolar disorder to get people well and prevent suicides. They offer education, training, and support to unite families and help them heal while coping with mood disorders.

Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE)
SAVE is one of the nation’s first organizations dedicated to the prevention of suicide. Their work is based on the foundation and belief that suicide is preventable and everyone has a role to play in preventing suicide.

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is a voluntary health organization that gives those affected by suicide a nationwide community empowered by research, education and advocacy to take action against this leading cause of death.

Mental Health America (MHA)
Mental Health America (MHA) is the nation’s leading community-based nonprofit dedicated to addressing the needs of those living with mental illness. They have resources on how to identify and help teenagers with depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.

Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine (SAHM)
SAHM has a large online research aimed specifically at parents of adolescents and young adults, including support groups, peer networks, helplines, treatment locators, and advocacy opportunities.

Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA)
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) is an international nonprofit organization dedicated mental health. They have information and statistics about childhood mental health disorders and how to navigate them.

American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP)
The AACAP has frequently asked questions and resources for parents about youth mental health.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
NAMI's mission is to be dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. They have many resources for family members and caregivers.

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is the lead federal agency for research on mental disorders. They have a wealth of information about adolescent mental health.

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS)
The Department of Health and Human Services has a great amount of information about how parents and other adults can support adolescent mental health issues.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The CDC has a guide for parents about childhood anxiety, depression, and other mental illnesses.

Apps

THRIVE by SAHM
SAHM is pleased to present an app designed to empower parents to begin a dialogue with their teen or young adult on important health topics, and help manage their own health. Available on Apple and Android products, the THRIVE app can be downloaded for FREE.

There are many different statistics on adolsecent depression from a variety of reports and resources. Here are just a few statistics from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), both verified and dependable sources.

3.2% of children aged 3-17 years (approximately 1.9 million) have been diagnosed depression.
About 3 in 4 children aged 3-17 years with depression also have anxiety (73.8%).
An estimated 3.2 million adolescents aged 12 to 17 in the United States have had at least one depressive episode. This number represents 13.3% of the U.S. population aged 12 to 17.
Nearly 8 in 10 children (78.1%) aged 3-17 years with depression receive treatment.

Please keep in mind that depression is common among adolsecents and that there are many ways for you to help and support your student. If you have any non-emergency questions or concerns that you can't find answers for, please do reach out to our support staff and resources that are listed above. We are always ready and willing to help and talk.