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Save. Suicide Awareness Voices of Education

Depression and Mental Illness

Depression is an illness that affects boys and girls, teenagers and adults and all races.  Depression affects more than 20 million people in the United States each year.  A person's brain, just like any other part of the body, can get sick.  There is a strong link between depression and suicide, but depression does not have to lead to suicide.  Depression can be treated.  You can make a difference. 

Symptoms of Depression

It is normal for a person to feel some of the following symptoms from time to time, but experiencing them for more than two weeks could mean depression.

  • Feeling sad, numb, or empty.
  • Sleeping a lot or having trouble sleeping.
  • Repeatedly falling asleep in class; constantly feeling tired.
  • Feeling hopeless, helpless, worthless, or guilty.
  • Feeling angry or moody, crying easily, panic attacks.
  • Avoiding friends.
  • Increased irritability with friends and family.
  • Difficulty doing schoolwork.
  • Changed eating habits.
  • Reading books, watching movies, or listening to music with depressing or suicidal themes.
  • Difficulty remembering things or making decisions.

Where You Can Go
For Help

 

In addition to the symptoms, if your friend says some of the following, it could mean depression:

“I shouldn’t be here.”

“I’m going to run away.”

“I wish I were dead.”

“I’m going to kill myself.”

“I wish I could disappear forever.”

“If a person did this or that…would he/she die?”

“The voices tell me to kill myself.”

“Maybe if I died, people would love me more.”

“I want to see what it feels like to die.”

“My parents won’t even miss me.”

“My boy/girlfriend won’t care anyway.”

 

THF__Central_photo2.JPG If your friend shows any of these signs or symptoms, it is important to remember that you CAN help them!  And remember, taking action is the next step.  Your friend is not alone, and neither are you.