MENTAL HEALTH WEEK

YOUTH AND MENTAL HEALTH IN A

CHANGING WORLD

PRESENTED BY
12HUMSS
WHAT IS
DEPRESSION
?
• Depression is a common
mental disorder that presents
with depressed mood, loss of
interest or pleasure, decreased
energy, feelings of guilt or low
self-worth, disturbed sleep or
appetite, and poor
concentration.

• Strongest risk factor for

suicide.

• 50% of people with depression

are untreated.
DEPRESSED OR JUST SAD?

• Sadness is a normal reaction to life’s struggles,

setbacks, and disappointments.

• Depression is different from normal sadness because

it affects your day-to-day life, it interferes with your
ability to work, study, eat, sleep, and have fun.

• The feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, and

worthlessness are intense and persistent, with little, if
any, relief.
WORKPLACE STATS (WFMH)

• 10% of the employed population have taken time off

work for depression.

• An average of 36 workdays are lost per depression

episode.

• Cognitive symptoms of depression, such as for instance

difficulties in concentrating, making decisions and
remembering, are present up to 94% of the time during
an episode of depression, causing significant
impairment work function and productivity.
• 43% of managers want better policies.

• People find it difficult to disclose that they have mental

difficulties in the workplace— yet nobody is immune
from mental health difficulties.

• Workplaces that promote and support people with

mental health disorders are more likely to reduce
absenteeism, increase productivity and benefit from
associated economic gains.
SYMPTOMS OF
DEPRESSION
• Isolation ( socially
• Sleep deprivation
withdrawn)
• Guilt
• Thoughts of death
• Anger
• No appetite
• Dependence
• No energy
• No concentration
• Sadness
RISK FACTORS FOR
DEPRESSION
• Experience of loss; end of relationship

• Lack of social support

• Stressful life experience

• Family history

• Trauma, abuse, neglect

• Alcohol and drug abuse

• Health problems or chronic pain

• Financial worries

• Major change at home, work, etc.

 Physical health
Disability
BIOLOGICAL
Generic vulnerabilities

Temperament
Drug effects
Mental IQ
Peers
Health Self-esteem

SOCIAL Family relations PSYCHOLOGICAL

Trauma
Family circumstances Coping skills
LET’S TALK ABOUT
SUICIDE
SUICIDE

• 12% among the adolescents with depressive disorders

have suicidal ideations

• Completed suicides occur 5x higher in boys than in

girls, out of impulsiveness.

• Suicide is the third-leading cause of death for 15 to 24

year olds.
RISK FACTORS FOR
SUICIDE
• Previous suicide attempts
• Recent death of a family
• History os substance
or close friend
abuse
• Mental health condition
• Physical disability or illness
• Exposure to bullying
• Relationship problems behaviour

• Access to harmful means • Losing a friend or family

to suicide
• Exposure to sensational
media reports of suicide • Age, culture, lack of
connectedness
MYTH OR FACTS ?

• People who talk about suicide won’t really do it

• People who talk about or attempt suicide want to die

• Anyone who tries to kill him/herself must be crazy

• If a person is determined to kill him/herself, nothing is

going to stop them

• Talking about suicide gives someone the idea

SUICIDE WARNING SIGNS

• Talking, writing, or joking about suicide or death

• Giving away prized possessions

• Making final arrangements

• Depressive symptoms

• Sudden, unexplained recovery from profound depression

• Marked feelings of helplessness or hopelessness

DIRECT
QUESTIONING
ABOUT SUICIDAL
THOUGHTS IS
NECESSARY
THOUGHTS OF SUICIDAL’S

• “Everyone will be better off without me”

• “I won’t be needing these things anymore”

• “ I wish I was dead”

• “ I can’t do anything right”

• “ All my problems will end soon”

• “ I can’t think straight anymore”

• “ No one can help me now”

• “ I can’t take it anymore”

WHAT TO DO WHEN
TALKING WITH A
PERSON
CONTEMPLATING
SUICIDE

• Tell the person you care

about him/her and that you
are worried.

• Ask if the person has a

therapist or is seeing a
mental health professional,
but also assure him/ her
that you will still be there to
listen.
• Advice the person’s friend group to be with them as
much as possible.

• “ I’m glad you told me, and I am going to find someone

to help you “

• “ I will stay with you until help arrives”

WORST
THINGS TO
SAY
“ THERE IS ALWAYS
SOMEONE WORSE OFF THAN
YOU.”

“ NO ONE EVER SAID LIFE IS

FAIR.”

“STOP FEELING SORRY FOR

YOURSELF.”

“SO YOU’RE DEPRESSED.

AREN’T YOU ALWAYS?”

“IT’S YOUR OWN FAULT.”

“TRY NOT TO BE SO
DEPRESSED.”
“HAVEN’T YOU GROWN TIRED OF ALL THIS “ME, ME, ME”
STUFF YET?”

“HOW COULD YOU THINK OF SUICIDE? YOUR LIFE’S NOT

BAD”

“SUICIDE IS A PERMANENT SOLUTION TO A TEMPORARY

PROBLEM.”

“YOU WILL GO TO HELL IF YOU DIE BY SUICIDE.”

“SUICIDE IS SELFISH.”

“SUICIDE IS COWARDLY.”
OPEN FORUM