Hello Everyone! This is Liz for Liz’s Corner!

Hello Everyone!

This is Liz for Liz’s Corner! Depression in our society seems to be on the rise and as an educator, we see more and more symptoms or behaviors among children and teens which can adversely affect their education. Students experiencing major depression may have extreme difficulty concentrating and demonstrate a major change in their interest for school and activities they once enjoyed. Grades and attendance typically fall due to lack of interest and motivation.

Some symptoms or behaviors of depression are:

-Sadness and/or hopelessness that won’t go away

-Restlessness, irritability

-Feeling tired all the time, lack of energy, sleeping in class

-Dramatic change in appetite and sleeping patterns

-Always feeling bored, difficulty concentrating/focusing

-Thoughts of suicide or death

-defiant or disruptive behavior

-Feelings of self-hate, worthlessness

-withdrawal from activities and peers

-if severe, person may also experience psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions.

Pressures should be reduced overall for persons who suffer from depression. If you know of someone who may be depressed, encourage them to seek help and be there to listen and positively encourage them. Acknowledge positive accomplishments and encourage healthy activities as well as gradual social interactions.

Some resources:

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Office of Communications

6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 8184, MSC 9663

Bethesda, MD 20892-9663 866-615-6454

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www.nimh.nih.gov

SA/VE (Suicide Awareness Voices of Education)

9001 East Bloomington Freeway, Suite 150

Bloomington, MN 55420

952-946-7998

www.save.org

Until next time! Liz