Brittany Titus
Round Table editor
In my Psychology class we are learning about depression and different disorders. One of the guidance counselors came in and spoke to us about her previous EMT background. She talked to us on how depression impacts not only that particular person, but others surrounding them. I found some facts that were interesting and can be helpful to some people.
Sometimes, depression can lead to suicide and affects teens world wide. Suicide is the third leading factor in teen death. About 20 percent of teens will experience depression before they reach adulthood, according to teendepression.com. For every suicide completion, there are 25 people nationwide who have attempted suicide.
If you have a friend who is suffering from depression, let them know that depression is a problem and they might need professional help. Depression can last from a few weeks to a few months or even longer. Helping someone with the disorder decreases their chance of committing suicide.
Looking for signs in your friend will help you know if he or she is suffering from depression. If the person has a lost of interest in their passion, becomes isolated from you or other friends and family members, becomes angry of their surroundings or if there’s a change in their normal behavior, these are a few symptoms of depression.
Asking your friend if they are suicidal directly is one of the first steps to do. Although it is straightforward, it could help them in the long run. Be willing to listen to the person and let them express their feelings.
Depression can be caused by many things. Financial problems in one’s family, a divorce of parents, stress in one’s life, peer pressure, and difficulty of keeping up in school. By addressing these problems, depression and possibly suicide can be preventable.
I think that depression can be preventable if you make it preventable. If you are having a problem, talk it out with a close friend or family member. If you don’t have one you could confide in, call a hotline or talk to a counselor or teacher at school. There will always be someone willing to help you even if you think no one cares. Medications are also proven to help as well.
Although I have never experienced dealing with a friend suffering with depression, knowing these steps have increased my knowledge about depression and how it is preventable and the outcome it can lead to. Depression is nothing to mess with so if you are suffering from it, get help immediately. You may call the Maryland Youth Crisis Hotline at 1-800-422-0009 for further assistance.
