Learn the symptoms and treatments of depression to help yourself or someone else.
Talking Points:
- Everyone feels down from time to time. Things like getting a bad grade, losing your job, having an argument, and even a rainy day can cause you to feel sad. Clinical depression is much different. It is an actual disorder and it won’t go away. It lingers for at least two weeks and interferes with your ability to work, play, or love.
- Some of the most common symptoms include a depressed mood, loss of interest in things you formerly enjoyed, changes in appetite, feeling worthless, sleeping too much or too little, poor concentration, restlessness, slowness, loss of energy, or recurring thoughts of suicide.
- If you know someone who is struggling with depression, be willing to talk openly about it. Studies show that simply asking someone about suicidal thoughts can reduce their risk of suicide.
Discussion:
- Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- What did you know about depression before this video? Did this video change your perception of depression? Why or why not?
- Do you agree or disagree that depression is a diagnosable medical condition with physiological causes? Why or why not?
- Have you ever known someone with depression? How did you learn they had depression?
- Have you ever had an open conversation about depression with someone? Explain.
- How can we help people we know if they are suffering from depression? Explain.
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
