Teen Angst or Depression?
Knowing the difference between normal teen angst and depres-
sion is key. Teen depression is a serious mental health problem
that causes a persistent feeling of sadness, self-neglect, loss of
interest in activities, or isolated behavior and will affect how a
teenager thinks, feels, and behaves. Suicide warning signs are
displayed through talk, behavior, and mood.
Warning signs can include:
• T
alk of being a burden to others or talk of having no reason
to live
• Increased substance abuse
• Withdrawing from family or friends
• Displaying aggression towards others
• Vague comments such as “No one will even care if I don’t
show up tomorrow.”
If you are a friend, you will more than likely become aware of
these warning signs before a parent or adult. The fact is that
when a young person is seeking help, validation, or guidance,
they often turn to a peer first and reach out to their parents
much later, if at all.
How to Help
Whether you're a friend, school professional, coach, or parent,
no indication or sign should ever be disregarded or seem trivial.
Your awareness and directly talking to someone you are
concerned about could save a life. Don’t be shy—ask directly if
they are thinking of death or contemplating suicide; that direct
question just might be the open door they need to say, “Yes, and
I wish I did not feel this way,” which opens the door to getting
them the help they need.
Allison Faircloth, Executive
Director, Jennifer Claire
Moore Foundation,
graduated cum laude from
the University of Alabama.
Allison works with 50
peerHELPer Programs
amongst 47 schools, 100
Program Coordinators and
1,200 Peer Helper students.
She trains and consults
on peerHELPer Program implementation and needs across the
United States, serves on numerous committees including Baldwin
County's Children Policy Council, Baldwin Community Alli-
ance, and the South Baldwin Chamber Education Foundation
Workforce Development Committee and is Chairperson for the
Alabama Suicide Prevention Committee working to implement
the Jason Flatt Act.
DEALING WITH THE LOSS
If you know someone who is grieving
the loss of a friend or family member
due to suicide, as with all grieving, support them
by listening and remembering the person’s life and
the happy memories versus focusing on the ifs
and whys. There will always be questions of why
and possible feelings of guilt, but we all must be
reminded we cannot make a decision for someone
else. As I am reminded by speaking with those
who've been touched by suicide, many times you
may never know the reason.
If you or someone you love is having suicidal thoughts, reach
out to the following organizations:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK
Web: suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Jennifer Claire Moore Foundation: 251-971-3633
Web: PeerHelpers.org
FOCUS provided “How to Teach Students
Suicide Prevention” for educators and social
workers at FOCUS Rallies this fall. Student
Breakout Sessions on the topic were also
offered. For more information on these and
other FOCUS programs, go to
www.thefocusprogram.com
Source: K-12 Facts.” Snapshot of U.S. Student Achievement, Center for Education
Reform, Updated Feb. 2016, www.edreform.com/2012/04/k-
12-facts/. Tavernise, Sabrina. “U.S. Suicide Rate Surges to a 30-Year High.” The New
York Times, The New York Times, 22 Apr. 2016, www.nytimes.com/2016/04/22/
health/us-suicide-rate-surges-to-a-30-year-high.html.
www.potentialmagazine.com
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