Teen Depression & Teen Depression &

Suicide PreventionSuicide Prevention

Kern County Mental Health Kern County Mental Health Meghan Boaz Alvarez, M.S., MFTMeghan Boaz Alvarez, M.S., MFTSuicide Prevention Week 2013Suicide Prevention Week 2013

22

Teen Depression FactsTeen Depression Facts

About 20% of teens will experience About 20% of teens will experience depression before reaching adulthooddepression before reaching adulthood

About 10% of teens have some symptoms About 10% of teens have some symptoms of depression at any given timeof depression at any given time

5% of those will be major depression5% of those will be major depression Only about 30% get any kind of treatmentOnly about 30% get any kind of treatment

33

Risk Factors for Teen Risk Factors for Teen DepressionDepression Hormonal changesHormonal changes Emotional changesEmotional changes Situational Situational

stressorsstressors Social pressureSocial pressure Academic pressureAcademic pressure Family historyFamily history AbuseAbuse IllnessIllness Alcohol useAlcohol use

44

Things to look for…Things to look for… WithdrawnWithdrawn Lack of interest is Lack of interest is

previously previously enjoyed activitiesenjoyed activities

Angry outburstsAngry outbursts Sleep problemsSleep problems Changes in school Changes in school

performanceperformance MoodinessMoodiness

http://www.youtube.com/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiOjmfaxhdEwatch?v=uiOjmfaxhdE

55

Key factor~Key factor~

Do these changes or signs persist Do these changes or signs persist for weeks on end without any for weeks on end without any periods of relief?periods of relief?

If the answer to the above is yes, If the answer to the above is yes, it’s time for professional helpit’s time for professional help

66

Without treatmentWithout treatment

30% will develop a substance abuse 30% will develop a substance abuse problemproblem

More likely to struggle with friends, More likely to struggle with friends, school, and later on employmentschool, and later on employment

Higher rate ofHigher rate of– Physical illnessPhysical illness– Sexually risky behaviorSexually risky behavior– Teen pregnancyTeen pregnancy– STDsSTDs

77

Higher Suicide RateHigher Suicide Rate

Untreated depression is the main Untreated depression is the main contributing factor to death by suicide, contributing factor to death by suicide, making a teen as much as 12 times making a teen as much as 12 times more likely to attempt suicidemore likely to attempt suicide

Suicide is the third highest cause of Suicide is the third highest cause of death for young people (15-19)death for young people (15-19)

As a nation, we lose 12 young people a As a nation, we lose 12 young people a day to suicideday to suicide

Facing the FactsFacing the Facts

An Overview of An Overview of SuicideSuicide

99

Facing the FactsFacing the Facts In 2008, 36,035 people in the United States died by In 2008, 36,035 people in the United States died by

suicide. About every 15 minutes someone in this suicide. About every 15 minutes someone in this country intentionally ends his/her life.country intentionally ends his/her life.– Over half of these suicides were by firearmOver half of these suicides were by firearm– We believe suicide is underreported by 5-25%We believe suicide is underreported by 5-25%– 40 to 100 times more non-fatal suicidal behavior incidents 40 to 100 times more non-fatal suicidal behavior incidents

(attempts)(attempts)

We have seen a slight increase in the last two years in We have seen a slight increase in the last two years in Kern County.Kern County.– Economic issues may play a roleEconomic issues may play a role

1010

Year    count

2000   742001   622002   722003   682004   762005   712006   712007   902008   782009   1002010   922011 95 

County of Kern Suicide DataCounty of Kern Suicide Data

1111

Facing the FactsFacing the Facts Suicide is the second leading cause of death among college Suicide is the second leading cause of death among college

students.students.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for people aged 24-Suicide is the second leading cause of death for people aged 24-34.34.

Suicide is the third leading cause of death for people aged 10-Suicide is the third leading cause of death for people aged 10-24.24.

Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death for adults between Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death for adults between the ages of 18 and 65.the ages of 18 and 65.

Suicide is highest in white males over 85.Suicide is highest in white males over 85.(45.4/100,000, 2007)(45.4/100,000, 2007)

1212

Annual Deaths, by CauseAnnual Deaths, by CauseNumber of Deaths, 2007, by Cause

3,447

11,295

20,058

34,598

40,970

71,382

0

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

70,000

80,000

Causes of Death

Nu

mb

er o

f D

eath

s

Asthma

HIV/AIDS

Parkinson's Disease

Suicide

Breast Cancer

Diabetes

1313

Facing the FactsFacing the FactsSuicide Is Not Predictable in IndividualsSuicide Is Not Predictable in Individuals

Individuals of all races, creeds, incomes and educational levels Individuals of all races, creeds, incomes and educational levels die by suicide. There is no typical suicide victim.die by suicide. There is no typical suicide victim.

1414

Facing the FactsFacing the FactsResearch shows that during our lifetime:Research shows that during our lifetime:

20% of us will have a suicide within our immediate family.20% of us will have a suicide within our immediate family.

60% of us will personally know someone who dies by suicide.60% of us will personally know someone who dies by suicide.

1515

Myths Versus Facts Myths Versus Facts About SuicideAbout Suicide

1616

Myths versus FactsMyths versus Facts MYTH: MYTH:

People who talk about suicide don't complete suicide.People who talk about suicide don't complete suicide.

FACT:FACT: Many people who die by suicide have given definite Many people who die by suicide have given definite warnings to family and friends of their intentions. Always warnings to family and friends of their intentions. Always take any comment about suicide seriously.take any comment about suicide seriously.

1717

Myths versus FactsMyths versus Facts MYTH: MYTH:

Suicide happens without warning.Suicide happens without warning.

FACTFACT: :

Most suicidal people give clues and signs regarding their Most suicidal people give clues and signs regarding their suicidal intentions.suicidal intentions.

1818

Myths versus FactsMyths versus Facts MYTH: MYTH:

Suicidal people are fully intent on dying.Suicidal people are fully intent on dying.

FACTFACT: : Most suicidal people are undecided about living or dying, Most suicidal people are undecided about living or dying, which is called “suicidal ambivalence.” A part of them wants which is called “suicidal ambivalence.” A part of them wants to live; however, death seems like the only way out of their to live; however, death seems like the only way out of their pain and suffering. They may allow themselves to "gamble pain and suffering. They may allow themselves to "gamble with death," leaving it up to others to save them. This is with death," leaving it up to others to save them. This is “Suicidal Ambivalence”.“Suicidal Ambivalence”.

1919

Myths versus FactsMyths versus Facts MYTH:MYTH:

Men are more likely to be suicidal. Men are more likely to be suicidal.

FACT:FACT:

Men are four times more likely to kill themselves than Men are four times more likely to kill themselves than women. women. Women attempt suicide three times more often Women attempt suicide three times more often than men do.than men do.

2020

Myths versus FactsMyths versus Facts MYTH:MYTH:

Suicide occurs in great numbers around holidays in Suicide occurs in great numbers around holidays in November and December.November and December.

FACT:FACT:

Highest rates of suicide are in May or June, while the lowest Highest rates of suicide are in May or June, while the lowest rates are in December.rates are in December.

2121

InterventionIntervention

Prevention may be a matter of a caring Prevention may be a matter of a caring

person with the right knowledge being person with the right knowledge being available in the right place at the right available in the right place at the right

time. time.

www.suicideispreventable.org/www.suicideispreventable.org/

2222

Link personLink person

Formal ResourcesFormal Resources– Mental HealthMental Health– MET TeamMET Team– Crisis LineCrisis Line

InformalInformal– FamilyFamily– FriendsFriends

2323

Information on community servicesInformation on community services– KCMH Hotline 1-800-991-5272KCMH Hotline 1-800-991-5272– MH Services for Adults & ChildrenMH Services for Adults & Children– 24 Availability of Crisis Services24 Availability of Crisis Services– National Suicide Prevention LifelineNational Suicide Prevention Lifeline– Suicide Survivors Support GroupSuicide Survivors Support Group– Suicide Attempters Support GroupSuicide Attempters Support Group

2424

Meghan Boaz Alvarez, M.S., Meghan Boaz Alvarez, M.S., MFTMFT

Kern County Mental Health Kern County Mental Health

Crisis Hotline/Access CenterCrisis Hotline/Access Center

868-8007868-8007

Mboaz@co.kern.ca.usMboaz@co.kern.ca.us