SPONGE

Wellness Day 3

5. What is a good way for a person to manage their stress? 6. Describe one thing a person should do if they have suicidal thoughts.

Wellness Section 3

Stress Management and Suicide Prevention

Stress

•

Stress

is the body’s response to the demands of daily living.

• Things that stress you can be physical, mental, social or environmental.

Types of Stress • • • There are two types of stress:

Eustress

is a healthy stress that produces positive results in your performance.

– For example, properly training for a race or studying for a test.

Distress

is the harmful stress that produces negative results in your performance.

– For example, someone who gets very little sleep after over-exercising or studying all night long.

Managing Stress • A person can reduces distress using stress management skills. Some stress management skills include:

–

Deep breathing and getting enough rest and sleep:

Your muscles will relax and your blood pressure will fall.

–

Participating in physical activity and stretching:

Releases energy that has been built up into physical tension.

Managing Stress

–

Manage your time:

If you have too much to do, it’s time to decide what is most important. Plan out your day in your head, leaving time for things that need to be done

and

time for fun and rest.

–

Help others:

Helping others manage their lives helps you realize how you could improve yours.

–

Keep a sense of humor:

Laughing relaxes your muscles and slows your heart rate.

Depression

• It is very normal for a person to sometimes feel sad or angry, but when a person feels this way most of the time for two weeks or longer then they are suffering from

depression

.

• There are healthy ways to express these feelings and work through them to begin feeling better.

• However, some people don’t know how to work through depression.

Depression

• Depressed people have long-lasting feelings that can include: – Hopelessness – Sadness – Apathy (not caring) – Fatigue (tired all the time) – Sleeplessness – Change in appetite – Dark thoughts – Feelings of worthlessness • Their feelings could be caused by a life crisis, stress, an illness, drug use or a family history of depression.

Suicide

•

Suicide

is when a person purposefully takes their own life.

• Suicide is the third leading cause of death among people from age 15-24. At this age, the brain is flooded with hormones which lead people to make reckless decisions.

• Each year, almost half a million young people attempt suicide .

Suicide

• Some young people attempt

parasuicide

– meaning the person does not intend to die. Parasuicide is more like a cry for help from someone who wants others to know how seriously in pain they are.

• Some people see suicide as a way to escape their problems, to get attention, or to get back at someone who has hurt them. However, there is always a better choice than suicide.

People at Risk

• People who are in danger of becoming suicidal may have had one (or more) difficult life experiences: – Alcohol or drug abuse – A recent death of a loved-one – Parents divorcing – Difficulty at school – An unwanted pregnancy – Being teased or rejected by peers – Difficulty with body changes or romance – A friend or classmate attempts suicide

Warning Signs

• Young people who are thinking about attempting suicide often show warning signs:

– Saying things like, “I wish I was never born.” – Lose interest in their appearance.

– Become obsessed with death.

– Lose interest in hobbies or school work.

– Give away possessions.

– Run away from home.

– Long period of depression followed by a suddenly positive attitude.

• When a friend shows signs of being suicidal you need to act: – Ask a responsible adult for help (especially a counselor.) – Talk with the friend and decide together on a plan to get better.

– Help the person build a network of support to help him/her through difficult times.

– Get the person involved in rewarding and fun activities. Help them enjoy life and feel invested in something.

Suicide Prevention

Suicide Prevention

• Do not ignore warning signs or treat them lightly – that will just push the suicidal person to go farther.

• Listen to what they have to say and ask them if they are considering suicide.

• Do not leave the person alone until more help has arrived.

• Don’t feel that it is only your responsibility to care for the suicidal person.

Suicide Prevention

• Get professional help, whether it is from parents, school or a therapist.

• Make a

contract for life

– a written agreement where the suicidal person promises not to hurt themself for a certain time period until they get help.

• If the person refuses to talk to parents, teachers, etc. about their feelings, have them call a hotline for people having suicidal thoughts: 1-800-273-8255.

One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school. His name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying all of his books. I thought to myself, 'Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd.' I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friends tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on.

As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt. His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him..

He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him as he crawled around looking for his glasses, and I saw a tear in his eye.

As I handed him his glasses, I said, 'Those guys are jerks.' They really should get lives.

' He looked at me and said, 'Hey thanks!' There was a big smile on his face..

It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude.

I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived.

As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him before.

He said he had gone to private school before now.

I would have never hung out with a private school kid before.

We talked all the way home, and I carried some of his books.

He turned out to be a pretty cool kid.

I asked him if he wanted to play a little football with my friends He said yes.

We hung out all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him, and my friends thought the same of him.

Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again..

I stopped him and said, 'Boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books every day! He just laughed and handed me half the books.

Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends.

When we were seniors we began to think about college.

Kyle decided on Georgetown and I was going to Duke.

I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never be a problem.

He was going to be a doctor and I was going for business on a football scholarship.

Kyle was valedictorian of our class.

I teased him all the time about being a nerd.

He had to prepare a speech for graduation.

I was so glad it wasn't me having to get up there and speak on Graduation day, I saw Kyle.

He looked great.

He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school.

He filled out and actually looked good in glasses.

He had more dates than I had and all the girls loved him..

Boy, sometimes I was jealous!

Today was one of those days.

I could see that he was nervous about his speech.

So, I smacked him on the back and said, 'Hey, big guy, you'll be great!' He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled. 'Thanks,' he said.

As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began.

'Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years..

Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach...but mostly your friends....

I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them.

I am going to tell you a story.' I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the first day we met.

He had planned to kill himself over the weekend.

He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn't have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home.

He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile. 'Thankfully, I was saved.

My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable..' I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment.

I saw his Mom and Dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile.

Not until that moment did I realize it's depth.

Never underestimate the power of your actions...With one small gesture you can change a person's life.

For better or for worse.