REAL TEENS VIDEO BEFORE AND AFTER QUESTIONNAIRE
CONDENSED TALKING POINTS
1. Depression is more common among people with problems.
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This is both true and false.
Anyone can get depression
You don’t have to have problems to have depression, sometimes it is genetic.
Excessive stress can cause depression, but we all tolerate stress differently.
Many things stress people out, use examples.
2. Depression at times can seem invisible and often does not get recognized or treated.
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The illness can seem invisible because it happens on the inside and it might be hard for
others to see.
Also, there is stigma surrounding depression and someone might intentionally hide it.
Anyone can get depression. You can’t always tell by looking at someone’s appearance
or what is going on in their life.
There are signs (Go over the signs of depression here and get examples/responses on
the first and last sign). To be diagnosed with depression you must have 5 or more
symptoms present for two weeks or more, most of every day.
3. Medicine is the best way to treat depression.
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Clinical depression is just like any other illness and requires treatment. You cannot
“snap” out of it.
Medicine is just one way to treat depression.
Talk therapy comes first –discuss professionals and where to find them.
If symptoms are intense and persist, medication can be necessary - go to a doctor.
Someone may need to try various options to find the right fit. The first therapist and the
first medication may not be a good fit.
4. Depression can be passed genetically.
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You can inherit the predisposition for depression - this doesn’t mean that depression is
certain.
Talk about it with your family - sometimes depression history is unknown due to stigma.
5. All cases of depression lead to suicide.
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Depression is serious and is the #1 risk factor for suicide.
However, suicide is quite rare. For every teen suicide, 100-200 people self-harm and for
every self-harm 500 people struggle with depression.
Signs of suicide include giving away things, expressing not wanting to be around
anymore or dark/death related expressions/interests.
You must tell an adult immediately if someone you know is expressing thoughts of
suicide or is cutting or any other self –injury behavior. Don’t keep secrets.
6. People with depression can be happy and excited.
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There can be moments of happiness, but the overall mood is still depressed.
This “appearance of being okay” is what can make depression difficult to accept.
7. If a friend of mine is depressed, there’s not much I can do.
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There are things you can do and should do.
Use this language: “I notice…..”, “I care, this isn’t typical for you” and “how can I help
you? Have you told an adult?”
Trusted adults are…
After a friend is receiving help from a professional, the role of a friend is to listen, support
and encourage friends to do the things they enjoy
Exercise boundaries. A teenager is not a therapist and cannot be available to a friend
24/7.
8. A person can manage depression even if the depression does not “go away”.
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Yes, by practicing good mental health
Good mental health is balance in all areas of life.
Nutrition – eating healthy foods to nutritious mind and body
Exercise, yoga, relaxation
Sleep – 8 – 10 hours
Coping skills – everyone needs them
Doing healthy things that you enjoy and make you happy
9. Harmful and risky behaviors like excessive use of alcohol and other drugs can lead to or
worsen depression.
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Harmful and risky behaviors are unhealthy coping skills
Substances can both cause depression and make it worse.
Self-injury is an unhealthy coping skill
If you see these signs, tell an adult immediately.
10. Talking about depression is an important as talking about other illness like cancer.
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Knowing the signs of depression can save a life.