Depression in Adolescents

Teaneck Public Schools April 5, 2022
7:30 PM

Workshop Objectives

• Examine and discuss the causes for depression in adolescents.

• Identify the signs of depression in adolescents.

• Understand how to proactively respond to signs of depression.

• Identify and examine the resources available for responding to depression in adolescents.

Your Role as a Parent

• Be present for your child!

• Show and communicate your unconditional love.

• Keep communication channels open.

• Identify feelings and emotions without shame.

Adolescent
Adolescent DepDepression

Peer pressure

Academic expectations

ression
Changing bodies

More than temporary Sandhya Pruthi, M.D., Mayo Clinic

Adolescent
Adoles

uses of
CaCauses of
Depressioncent Depression

Often begins in adolescents

Brain chemistry

Hormones

Inherited traits

Early childhood trauma

Learned patterns of negative thinking Sandhya Pruthi, M.D., Mayo Clinic

Symptoms of Adolescent Depression

• A change in attitude

• Problems socially, and/or at school

• Change in behavior that result in problems at home or school

Sandhya Pruthi, M.D., Mayo Clinic

Emotional Changes

• Sadness with crying spells for no apparent reason

• Heightened frustration or feelings of anger, easily triggered

• Feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness or emptiness

• Irritability, easily annoyed

• Loss of interest in usual activities • Low self-esteem
• Feelings of guilt

Sandhya Pruthi, M.D., Mayo Clinic

Emotional Changes (continued)

• Fixation on past failures or events • Self-blame and/or criticism
• Difficulty with concentration

• Feeling that the future is grim or bleak

• Frequent thoughts of death, dying, or suicide

Sandhya Pruthi, M.D., Mayo Clinic

Changes
Behavioral Changesoral

• Tiredness, loss of energy

• Insomnia or excessive sleeping

• Changes in appetite, decreased or increased

• Use of alcohol or drugs • Agitation or restlessness
• Slowed thinking, speaking, movement

• Complaints of body aches and
headaches	Sandhya Pruthi, M.D., Mayo Clinic

Behavioral Changes (continued)ral Changes

• Social isolation

• Poor school performance or frequent absences from school

• Less attention to personal hygiene

• Angry outbursts, acting out behavior • Self-harm
• Making a suicide plan or a suicide attempt

Sandhya Pruthi, M.D., Mayo Clinic

Risk Factors
• Issues that negatively impact self-esteem: obesity, social issues, bullying, low academic performance

• Victim of violence, including witnessing violence • Anxiety, bipolar disorder
• Learning disability or ADHD

• Chronic pain or another physical illness • Low self-esteem
• A gender-related unsupportive environment • Abuse of alcohol, nicotine or other drugs

Sandhya Pruthi, M.D., Mayo Clinic

Risk Factors (continued)

• Family history of depression, bipolar disorder • Family history of alcohol or drug abuse
• Family member who died by suicide

• Dysfunctional family and/or family conflict

• A recent stressful life event such as divorce, recent move, or death

Sandhya Pruthi, M.D., Mayo Clinic

Depression and Substance Abuse:

•Alcohol •Drugs •Vapes •E-cigs

Teen drug abuse: Help your teen avoid drugs - Mayo Clinic

How do you know involved in “risky”

if your child is behavior:

• Rapid changes in behavior • Not following routines
• Decreased interest in activities
• Decline in academic performance • Bloodshot eyes
• Alcohol on breath • Slurring of speech • Inability to balance
• Erratic and/or aggressive behavior • Lethargic behavior
• Sleeping often
• Lack of interest in activities and/or school work • Stealing (money or items) to pay for substances

Teen drug abuse: Help your teen avoid drugs - Mayo Clinic

Talk to your child if you suspect your child is depressed and abusing substances.

Teen drug abuse: Help your teen avoid drugs - Mayo Clinic

Suicide and Self-Harm Signs to Watch for…

• Isolation from family and friends • Problems eating or sleeping
• Mood swings

• Reckless behavior

• Decrease in academic performance • Giving away belongings
• Feelings of hopelessness; feeling a burden

• Talks about suicide and/or death

• Drawing or writing about suicide

Sandhya Pruthi, M.D., Mayo Clinic

Normal Teenage Behavior vs. Red Flag

• Ups and downs of being a teenager

• Talk with your teen: keep communication lines open

• Identify feelings

• Determine if your child is capable of managing life’s challenges, their own
emotions, or if it seems overwhelming

• Determine if your child is overwhelmed

Sandhya Pruthi, M.D., Mayo Clinic

Emotional, behavioral, and health problems

Depression Untreated

Alcohol and drug misuse/abuse

Academic problems

Family conflicts

Social conflicts

Involvement with the juvenile justice system

Sandhya Pruthi, M.D., Mayo Clinic	Suicide attempts or suicide

Prevention

• Control or limit stress

• Teach resilience and boost self-esteem

• Reach out to friends • Find social support • Communication

Sandhya Pruthi, M.D., Mayo Clinic

Communication

• Talk about feelings; be a safe person to talk to and understand
them

• Reassure how much you love them

• Pay attention to them and respond, “That sounds really
hard…I’ve felt that way too…” • Do fun things together
• Watch their social media

• Seek out therapy if needed	Sandhya Pruthi, M.D., Mayo Clinic

When to See a Doctor…

• When signs and symptoms interfere with your teen’s life, family relationships, and/or social interactions

• When you are concerned about your teen’s safety • Symptoms get worse

Contact teen’s doctor/pediatrician, school nurse, or guidance counselor

Sandhya Pruthi, M.D., Mayo Clinic

Medication

• Thorough evaluation before starting medical treatment by a professional

• Detailed review of potential risk factors • Assessment for another mental illness
• Evaluation of family history of mental illness or suicide

• Discuss all treatment options

Sandhya Pruthi, M.D., Mayo Clinic

Treatment and Intervention…

• Behavioral therapies:

• cognitive

• interpersonal

Mindfulness and the Treatment of Depression

Study on the effects of mindfulness interventions on depression among adolescents

Reduced depression

Trained clinicians encourage mindfulness meditation

Prevention and treatment for

National Institute of Health, Effects of mindfulness interventions on depressive symptoms in adolescents

Mindfulness Resources

• https://www.mindful.org/mindfulness-for-kids/

• Mindfulness Meditation for Kids - 5 Minutes Guided Meditation for Children
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZ_wdeog5Ek

• Mindfulness Meditation for Kids: Breathing Exercises https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bk_qU7l-fcU

• Article about teaching mindfulness on Headspace: https://www.headspace.com/meditation/kids

Key Protective Factors

• Teach problem-solving in non-violent ways • Strong friend and family connections
• Maintain strong community connections

• Restricted access to lethal means of suicide

• Cultural and religious beliefs that support self-preservation

• Access to appropriate clinical intervention: psychotherapy, family therapy, medication

• Access to good medical and mental health care

The Child Mind Institute, 2022: What to do If You’re Worried About Suicide? Nadine Kaslow, PhD

Responding Proactively to Signs of Depression or Suicidal Thoughts

• Take comments seriously and talk about it immediately!

• Take immediate action if necessary.

• Do not leave your child alone if you suspect they are in danger of self-harm.

Seek Immediate Help

National Suicide Prevention Hotline-800-273-8255
Hope for Suicide Prevention in New Jersey-855-654-6735
webchat on suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat

Hotlines are available at 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Practical tips for an emotionally healthy adolescent:

1. Be emotionally present for your child •	Leave loving messages on their voicemail

•	Send them kind and supportive text messages •	Leave notes and letters for them

•	Put your phone away

2. Limit their technology AND yours	“Provide opportunities for boredom -
•	Teach your child other ways to stay occupied	because boredom is the moment when •	Keep phones out of the bedroom at night                                                               creativity awakens"
•	Set a rule to charge phones in the kitchen	Dr. Luis Rojas Marcos, Psychiatrist 3. Provide your child with a balanced lifestyle
•	Encourage healthy eating habits
•	Make sure your child is getting enough sleep
•	Enjoy the outdoors	http://palermonline.com.ar/wordpress/?p+65783

School Counseling Department

District Wide

Keshia Golding Cooper, Director of Director of Guidance, Career Services and Vocational Education, kcooper@teaneckschools.org

Adrienne Williams, Student Assistance Coordinator, awilliams@teaneckschools.org

Benjamin Franklin Middle School

Eve Klein, eklein@teaneckschools.org Michael Smith, msmith@teaneckschools.org

Thomas Jefferson Middle School

Robert Davis, rodavis@teaneckschools.org Meredith Martino, mmartino@teaneckschools.org

https://www.nj.gov/education/safety/wellness/mh/index.shtml

https://www.nj.gov/education/safety/wellness/loss/

Additional Resource: https://www.performcarenj.org/

Questions…