September is Suicide Prevention month.
Most children feel sad and low every once in a while, but these feelings usually pass in a few days. Untreated depression, however, lasts for a long time and interferes with day-to-day activity.
What to Watch For:
- Anxiety and fearfulness
- Physical complaints: headaches, stomachaches
- Withdrawl from family & friends
- Loss of interest/pleasure in activities
- Extreme sensitivity to rejection & failure
- Low self-esteem, guilt, feel worthless
- Trouble concentrating & making decisions
- Loss of energy/increased fatigue
- Insomnia or oversleeping
- Changes in appetite & weight (up or down)
- Anger, irritability and agitation are typical
- Deep feelings of sadness or hopelessness
When to Worry. All parents might see any of these symptoms in their children on occasion. It is time to seek professional help when:
- · Multiple symptoms appear
- · Over a long period of time
- Symptoms are interfering with the child’s ability to function: refusal to go to school, personal hygiene, grades, lack of friends, troubled relationships, running away, self injury, substance abuse
- · Child talks about wanting to die and has thoughts of suicide
If you are concerned about your child, contact your family physician, child’s teacher and school counselor, and call one of the following agencies: Children’s Advantage: 330.296.5552 Coleman Professional Services: 330.296.3555