Depression

OBJECTIVE

  • To provide education and awareness on the topic of depression, symptomatology, etiology, prevalence, and possible treatment.
  • To generate a clear understanding of mental illness and distinguish between different disorders under the umbrella term
  • To create a safe environment to have a safe and open conversation about mental illness, symptoms of mental illnesses, and possible treatment options
  • To discuss risks of not getting help when experiencing symptoms of mental illness

INTRODUCTION - 5-10 Minutes

Warm-up discussion questions

  • What are some of the things that a person experiences when going through depression?
  • What can someone do to improve the way they're feeling when feeling symptoms of depression

HOLY SCRIPTURE

Some beautiful references from the Holy Bible to discuss that allude to depression:

2 Corinthians 4:8-10: 8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed--- 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.

Psalm 93 (94): 19: O Lord, according to the abundance of grief in my heart, Your encouragements consoled my soul.

CONTENT (KEY POINTS)

Let us first discuss the umbrella term that depression falls under:

Mental Illness- A mental disorder, also called a mental illness or psychiatric disorder, is a behavioral or mental pattern that causes significant distress or impairment of personal functioning. Mental disorders are usually defined by a combination of how a person behaves, feels, perceives, or thinks.

  • Some mental illnesses affect your mood (depression, anxiety)
  • Some affect your behaviors (eating disorders or ADHD --attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)
  • Some mental illnesses affect your perception of reality (schizophrenia, paranoia, or other forms of psychotic disorders) and makes it hard for you to differentiate between what is real and what isn't.

Some stats regarding mental illness: (From:National Alliance on Mental Illness, 2019)

  • 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year
  • 1 in 25 U.S. adults experience serious mental illness each year
  • 1 in 6 U.S. youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year
  • 50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24
  • Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10-34
  • Annual prevalence among U.S. adults, by condition:
    • Major Depressive Episode: 7.2% (17.7 million people)
    • Schizophrenia: less than 1% (estimated 1.5 million people)
    • Bipolar Disorder: 2.8% (estimated 7 million people)
    • Anxiety Disorders: 19.1% (estimated 48 million people)
    • Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: 3.6% (estimated 9 million people)

PLEASE NOTE: As you can see here, depression affects 17.7 Million people annually, which speaks to how significant it has become. This is only the people who seek treatment for it, so the number could be significantly larger, as it may not be encompassing all the undiagnosed cases or the ones that go unnoticed in primary health care.

Depression: A type of mood disorder, or mental illness, seen through a low or irritable mood or loss of interest or pleasure in almost all activities over a period of time.

  • This can be temporary or can last for a really long time depending on several factors:
    • Family history of mental illness
    • Severity of life circumstance
    • Coping skills used
    • Family or social support
  • Most people with depression need some sort of treatment to get better. It is not something you can just "snap out of" or try to "just be happier."
  • Depression can interfere with daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or managing your school work.
  • Depression can happen at any age, but often symptoms begin in early life.
  • It can occur along with other mental disorders, substance abuse, and other health conditions.
  • Depression can be triggered by different things such as:
  • A death of a loved one
  • Poor performance in work or school
  • Not feeling loved or supported
  • Pride/feeling undervalued "measuring your life based off worldly standards"

Ask yourself if you have ever experienced depression or symptoms of depression for long OR short periods of time by answering some of these questions in your head:

  • Do you constantly feel sad or even "empty," like you feel nothing inside?
  • Do you feel hopeless or like everything is going wrong all the time?
  • Do you feel like you're worthless or helpless? Do you feel guilty about things?
  • Do you feel irritable or angry much of the time, like you just want to be left alone?
  • Do you find yourself spending more time by yourself and less time away from friends and family?
  • Do you still enjoy activities and hobbies that you used to enjoy?
  • Have your eating or sleeping habits changed (eating or sleeping more than usual or less than usual)?
  • Are you always feeling tired? Like you have less energy than normal or no energy at all?
  • Do you feel like you have trouble concentrating, remembering information, or making decisions?
  • Do you ever think about dying or suicide? Have you ever tried, or thought about trying to harm yourself?

If you answered yes to some of these questions it could be possible that you have felt symptoms of depression related to different things going on in your life.

But that is OK because there are things you can do to get help But first, let us define a coping skill.

PLEASE NOTE: You can be experiencing symptoms of depression but not actually be "depressed" or meet the criteria for a diagnosis. This is important because we tend to overdiagnose ourselves, which can bring on additional problems.

Coping Skill: The strategy or method a person uses to deal with stressful situations or problems going on in their life.

Here are some steps you can take to help you manage any of those things listed up there:

  • TALK TO SOMEONE you trust about the situation. A parent, a sibling, a close friend, a servant from church, or anyone else who you feel you can trust enough to help talk you through whatever it is you are going through. THIS IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT IF YOU ARE HAVING THOUGHTS OF HARMING YOURSELF.
  • Consider reaching out to a mental health professional. They can be found at your school (counselors), at the hospital, community mental health clinics, etc.
  • Depending on the severity of what you are experiencing, it could be helpful to speak to a medical doctor or a psychiatrist for psychotropic medications (medications for mental illness).
  • Use your coping skills. Not all coping skills work for everyone. Find something that works for you best and if it works for a while then stops working, try something else.
    • Here are some examples:
    • Exercise
    • Write in a journal
    • Draw
    • Listen to music
    • Take a bath
    • Play with a pet
    • Spend time in nature or outside your home
    • Clean the house (or a closet, drawer, or area)
    • Read a book
    • Play a game with your family or friends
    • Engage in a hobby
    • Pray
    • Practice breathing exercises
    • Color
    • Reframe the way you are thinking about the problem
    • Picture your "happy place"
    • Give yourself a pep talk
    • Drink tea
    • Squeeze a stress ball
    • Put on lotion that smells good
    • Look at landscape photos that help you feel relaxed
    • Think of something funny
    • Look at pictures that remind you of the people, places, and things that bring you joy
    • Take care of your body in a way that makes you feel good (paint your nails, do your hair, put on a face mask)
    • Smile
    • Go for a walk

DISCUSSION

Breakout into smaller groups and discuss questions students may have. Some students may not be comfortable sharing in large groups (or co-ed).

APPLICATION (Action)

  • You must know yourself well enough to know when you are not doing well and "not yourself" to effectively prevent/treat your symptoms
  • Talk to someone when you are not feeling well just as you would if you were experiencing symptoms of a medical problem
  • Refer to Coping Skills section

CONCLUSION

  • Depression or symptoms of depression can occur to anyone at any point no matter the circumstances. Know yourself, know the symptoms, and find someone you trust to get any help you may need. Trust God first and foremost.

RESOURCES

Creative Family Counseling: Resources