YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

How to recognise

if a teen is

depressed and

or suicidal

YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

How to recognize if a teen is depressed and or suicidal

It isn’t always easy to differentiate between normal teenage growing pains and depression.
But here’s how you can recognize the signs and symptoms and best help your child.

What is teen depression

The teen years can be extremely difficult, and depression is a lot more common than many of us realise. In fact, it’s estimated that one in five adolescents will suffer from depression at some point during their teen years. However, while depression is highly treatable, most depressed teens never receive help.

Teen depression goes beyond moodiness. It’s a serious health problem that impacts every aspect of a teen’s life. Depression is pervasive and can negatively change a teen’s personality, and cause an overwhelming sense of fear, loneliness anger or despair. Fortunately, depression is treatable, and parents and friends can help. Your love, guidance, and support can go a long way toward helping your teen overcome depression and get their life back on track.

What is teen depression

The teen years can be extremely difficult, and depression is a lot more common than many of us realise. In fact, it’s estimated that one in five adolescents will suffer from depression at some point during their teen years. However, while depression is highly treatable, most depressed teens never receive help.

Teen depression goes beyond moodiness. It’s a serious health problem that impacts every aspect of a teen’s life. Depression is pervasive and can negatively change a teen’s personality, and cause an overwhelming sense of fear, loneliness anger or despair. Fortunately, depression is treatable, and parents and friends can help. Your love, guidance, and support can go a long way toward helping your teen overcome depression and get their life back on track.

Signs that a teen might be depressed

Persistent negative mood: this may include constant tearfulness and crying but more commonly may present in an angry and agitated mood.
Difficulties at school – depression may interfere with concentration and academic performance and may lead to absenteeism, and a drop in marks.
Loss of interest in activities that may have previously been something they were good at and enjoyed for example quitting the school debating or sports team and withdrawing from family and friends.
Drug and alcohol abuse – often this is done to self-medicate the depression. Unfortunately, substance abuse increases problems making them worse rather better.
Low self-esteem – depression can intensify feelings of worthlessness, shame and failure.
Screen addiction – teens may use their screen to escape their problems. However, excessive screen use increases a sense of loneliness and isolation, making them feel more depressed.
Reckless behaviours – depressed teens may engage in reckless behaviours such as fast and dangerous driving, excessive drinking and drug use and unsafe sex.

Red flags in depressed teens

Sudden changes in sleep and diet.
Unexplained aches and pains especially headaches and stomach aches.
Aggressive behaviour and angry outbursts.
Extreme sensitivity to criticism.
Withdrawing from some people, but not all. Depressed teens may start to isolate themselves from family members and some old friends and start to hang out with a different crowd.

Suicide warnings to watch for

Talking or joking about committing suicide.
Saying things like, “I’d be better off dead,” “I wish I could disappear forever,” or “There’s no way out”.
Speaking positively about death or romanticizing dying (“If I died, people might love me more”).
Writing stories and poems about death, dying, or suicide.
Engaging in reckless behaviour or having a lot of accidents resulting in injury.
Giving away prized possessions.
Saying goodbye to friends and family as if for the last time.
Seeking out weapons, pills, or other ways to kill themselves.

Teens supporting teens

How can you support your friend if you are worried that something isn’t right, or if you know they have been going through a hard time?

Reach out and start a conversation: you could say something like “I know things have been tough for you lately, I’m here to listen if you want to chat” or “You haven’t been yourself lately, please don’t feel alone, I’m here to listen if you need someone
to talk to”.

Use your listening skills: listen without interrupting or going on your phone. Don’t judge them and try and understand what they are going through by asking open ended questions. Don’t jump to solutions, allow them to feel what they are feeling.
Never promise that you won’t ask an adult for help if they are in danger of hurting themselves or others. Always promise that you won’t be sharing their information with your friends or anyone else unless they are in danger.

Opportunity to reach out and get help – once you have really listened to their story and allowed them to share, encourage them to reach out to someone who can help. This could be a trusted family member, doctor, therapist or Hatzolah Connect. Suggest that you do this together so that they don’t feel alone, but always go with what feels comfortable for them.

Keep on checking in – remember to keep checking in on your friend. Don’t judge them if they said they would reach out for help and still haven’t. Sometimes this is a process and takes time. Remind them that you are there for them by showing up. If you feel that holding their information is difficult, speak to an adult that can help you. We are only helpful if we are also looking after ourselves.

Ways in which you can be there for a friend

Text them and remind them that you are there and you care!
Ask them to come sit with you at break.
Arrange a time to go for a walk or to the gym together.
Make plans to go for a coffee/lunch/supper together.

REMEMBER: IF YOU THINK A FRIEND IS IN DANGER OF HURTING
THEMSELVES OR SOMEONE ELSE TELL AN ADULT IMMEDIATELY OR CALL
OUR HELPLINE SO WE CAN GET THEM HELP – ITS BETTER TO MAKE A
FRIEND ANGRY BY DOING THIS, THAN LOSING THEM BY NOT!

Caring for yourself

Supporting someone who is depressed, going through a difficult time, or who has experienced a traumatic event or loss can be challenging and emotionally demanding. It might leave you feeling afraid, scared or worried. While you want to be there for your friend, it’s also important that you have your own support to help you deal with your own feelings that may arise because of this. It’s also important not to carry the load on your own, and know when to get professional help. Reach out to a family member or a professional.

Remember, we’re better able to help others when we look after ourselves! The support line is not only there for people who are going through a difficult time, we are also there to support you whilst you support others 0800 233 730.

If you are concerned that your child is suicidal, seek help immediately. You can call our emotional support line on 0800 233 730 and we will assist you in getting the right help. Suicidal teens should not be left alone and need medical attention immediately.

Signs that a teen might be depressed

Persistent negative mood: this may include constant tearfulness and crying but more commonly may present in an angry and agitated mood.
Difficulties at school – depression may interfere with concentration and academic performance and may lead to absenteeism, and a drop in marks.
Loss of interest in activities that may have previously been something they were good at and enjoyed for example quitting the school debating or sports team and withdrawing from family and friends.
Drug and alcohol abuse – often this is done to self-medicate the depression. Unfortunately, substance abuse increases problems making them worse rather better.
Low self-esteem – depression can intensify feelings of worthlessness, shame and failure.
Screen addiction – teens may use their screen to escape their problems. However, excessive screen use increases a sense of loneliness and isolation, making them feel more depressed.
Reckless behaviours – depressed teens may engage in reckless behaviours such as fast and dangerous driving, excessive drinking and drug use and unsafe sex.

Red flags in depressed teens

Sudden changes in sleep and diet.
Unexplained aches and pains especially headaches and stomach aches.
Aggressive behaviour and angry outbursts.
Extreme sensitivity to criticism.
Withdrawing from some people, but not all. Depressed teens may start to isolate themselves from family members and some old friends and start to hang out with a different crowd.

Suicide warnings to watch for

Talking or joking about committing suicide.
Saying things like, “I’d be better off dead,” “I wish I could disappear forever,” or “There’s no way out”.
Speaking positively about death or romanticizing dying (“If I died, people might love me more”).
Writing stories and poems about death, dying, or suicide.
Engaging in reckless behaviour or having a lot of accidents resulting in injury.
Giving away prized possessions.
Saying goodbye to friends and family as if for the last time.
Seeking out weapons, pills, or other ways to kill themselves.

Teens supporting teens

How can you support your friend if you are worried that something isn’t right, or if you know they have been going through a hard time?

Reach out and start a conversation: you could say something like “I know things have been tough for you lately, I’m here to listen if you want to chat” or “You haven’t been yourself lately, please don’t feel alone, I’m here to listen if you need someone
to talk to”.

Use your listening skills: listen without interrupting or going on your phone. Don’t judge them and try and understand what they are going through by asking open ended questions. Don’t jump to solutions, allow them to feel what they are feeling.
Never promise that you won’t ask an adult for help if they are in danger of hurting themselves or others. Always promise that you won’t be sharing their information with your friends or anyone else unless they are in danger.

Opportunity to reach out and get help – once you have really listened to their story and allowed them to share, encourage them to reach out to someone who can help. This could be a trusted family member, doctor, therapist or Hatzolah Connect. Suggest that you do this together so that they don’t feel alone, but always go with what feels comfortable for them.

Keep on checking in – remember to keep checking in on your friend. Don’t judge them if they said they would reach out for help and still haven’t. Sometimes this is a process and takes time. Remind them that you are there for them by showing up. If you feel that holding their information is difficult, speak to an adult that can help you. We are only helpful if we are also looking after ourselves.

Ways in which you can be there for a friend

Text them and remind them that you are there and you care!
Ask them to come sit with you at break.
Arrange a time to go for a walk or to the gym together.
Make plans to go for a coffee/lunch/supper together.

REMEMBER: IF YOU THINK A FRIEND IS IN DANGER OF HURTING
THEMSELVES OR SOMEONE ELSE TELL AN ADULT IMMEDIATELY OR CALL
OUR HELPLINE SO WE CAN GET THEM HELP – ITS BETTER TO MAKE A
FRIEND ANGRY BY DOING THIS, THAN LOSING THEM BY NOT!

Caring for yourself

Supporting someone who is depressed, going through a difficult time, or who has experienced a traumatic event or loss can be challenging and emotionally demanding. It might leave you feeling afraid, scared or worried. While you want to be there for your friend, it’s also important that you have your own support to help you deal with your own feelings that may arise because of this. It’s also important not to carry the load on your own, and know when to get professional help. Reach out to a family member or a professional.

Remember, we’re better able to help others when we look after ourselves! The support line is not only there for people who are going through a difficult time, we are also there to support you whilst you support others 0800 233 730.

If you are concerned that your child is suicidal, seek help immediately. You can call our emotional support line on 0800 233 730 and we will assist you in getting the right help. Suicidal teens should not be left alone and need medical attention immediately.

If you are concerned that your child is suicidal, seek help immediately.
You can call our emotional support line on 0800 233 730 and we will assist you in getting the
right help. Suicidal teens should not be left alone and need medical attention immediately.

How can you help?

Hatzolah Connect Teen Chatline

Chat to our Hatzolah connect counsellors on our secure and anonymous chat line. Whether it’s trouble with school, at home or feeling down and lonely we are here to listen. The line is open 24/7 and it free to use so connect on:

Connect Now

Hatzolah Connect Teen Chatline

Chat to our Hatzolah connect counsellors on our secure and anonymous chat line. Whether it’s trouble with school, at home or feeling down and lonely we are here to listen. The line is open 24/7 and it free to use so connect on: