Depression is one of the greatest health risks for teenage girls and is the leading cause of suicide. Therefore it is extremely important to be able to identify the signs and symptoms of depression and also know where and how to access help.

Here are the facts every girl needs to know:
(information from www.beyondblue.org.au )

Interesting Statistics:

• Approximately one in five young people in Australia will experience depression.
• Girls report higher rates of depression than boys (15% vs 9%)
• Girls are more likely to consider suicide than boys (14% vs 10%) but more boys actually attempt suicide.
• Often young people don't seek help for their depression due to the following reasons:
  1. They prefer to manage own problems.
  2. They think nothing can help.
  3. They don't know where to access help.
  4. They are worried about what others will think.

What is depression?

1. Depression is not just regular sadness or feeling down about something.
2. It is a serious illness and can affect you both psychologically and physically.
3. It is a common mental health problem.
4. There are several effective methods for treating depression.
5. Up to 1 in 4 females will suffer depression in their lifetime.
6. It is the leading cause of suicide.

Causes:

• There are several causes for depression and sometimes it may be difficult to pinpoint the underlying cause/s.
• Usually depression emerges when several factors overlap. Things like: ongoing bullying, family break-ups, sexual and physical abuse, feeling like you can't cope, the death of someone very close/significant, hard times, school work, personality, genes, hormones, excessive worrying, being a perfectionist, negative thinking, stressing out.

How can you recognise depression?

• Increased moodiness
• Increased irritability and frustration
• More sensitive to personal criticism
• Withdrawal from social events
• Loss of interest in things that were once viewed as pleasurable
• Change in sleeping patterns (can't sleep or too much sleep)
• Health problems such as pain or fatigue
• Risk taking behaviours
• Lack of concern about things
• Crying all the time
• Feeling worthless
• Feeling overwhelmed
• Feeling hopeless
• Sad for an extended period of time
• Stops contacting friends and family members

How can depression be treated?

1. A person who is depressed should see a counsellor or a doctor immediately.
2. Treatment varies and often counseling strategies without medication can be very effective.
3. Natural courses of action would be to work on getting enough sleep, being active, dealing proactively with stress, eating a well-balanced diet and so on. (You can work on these areas individually but counsellors have strategies to assist changes in these areas to occur more rapidly.
4. When depression is affecting your thoughts and behaviours significantly and impairing your judgment or ability to do the things you usually would do, there is medication that is effective in treating major depression. This requires a doctor to prescribe.

TIPS:

• Plan your daily activities so that you don't stay in bed for extended periods of time in the day. (the less you do, the worse you will feel)
• Do things with other people - arrange to meet people even if you don't want to. If you are socially isolated, things can often get worse.
• Ensure that you have tasks to complete each day so that you feel a sense of achievement.
• Engage in some physical activity as this will increase your endorphin levels and you will feel happier.
• Do NOT turn to alcohol or drugs as these will only make matters worse.
• Try to change negative thoughts into more positive thoughts. With training, this becomes easier and more natural. (Your thinking affects your emotions, which in turn, affects you behaviours.)
• Identify your support team.

Who can I contact for help?

Lifeline: 13 11 14
Kids help line: 1800 55 1800
Ambulance: 000
Accident and Emergency at your local hospital
Your local doctor or school counsellor

Check out the web sites:
www.reachout.com.au
www.beyondblue.org.au

Are you depressed? Try this questionnaire:

For more than TWO WEEKS have you:

1. Felt sad, down or miserable most of the time? Yes No
2. Lost interest or pleasure in most of your usual activities? Yes No

If you answered 'YES' to either of these questions, complete the symptom checklist below.

BEHAVIOUR
Stopped going out
Not getting things done at work or school
Withdrawn from close family and friends
Relying on alcohol and sedatives
Stopped doing things you enjoy
Unable to concentrate

THOUGHTS
"I'm a failure."
"It's all my fault."
"Nothing good ever happens to me."
"I'm worthless."
"Life is not worth living."

FEELINGS
Overwhelmed
Unhappy, depressed
Irritable
Frustrated
No confidence
Guilty
Indecisive
Disappointed
Miserable
Sad

PHYSICAL
Tired all the time
Sick and run down
Headaches and muscle pains
Churning gut
Can't sleep
Poor appetite/weight loss

If you answered 'YES' to question 1 and/or 2 and ticked at least three symptoms in the checklist, you probably have a depressive illness.

You hear about eating disorders in the news and probably know what a big issue they are…but would you know if your friend was in danger of developing an eating disorder? And, what would you do???? Is your diet normal or are you obsessing too much over food?

Here are the facts: