Depression in Middle School Students

The adolescent years are marked by a roller-coaster ride of emotions that can be difficult for parents and youths. Some emotional symptoms go along with this normal developmental stage, but serious symptoms that go beyond the norm are becoming much more common in younger children and adolescents. Beginning this school year, school districts in Texas have a state mandate requiring a comprehensive suicide prevention program at all public junior, middle and high schools (House Bill 1386/Suicide Prevention).

Vandeventer Middle School will be implementing Teen CONTACT. Per state requirement, Teen CONTACT is on the best practices list of effective programs. It is designed to be used in a school setting, and there are separate materials for middle and high school students. This program has several proven benefits. It increases awareness of signs that can lead to suicidal behavior, increases the likelihood that students will seek adult help for themselves or others, and reduces actual suicide attempts. Our focus will be prevention and intervention – we will cover information on crisis, stress, teen depression, and suicide. We will encourage the students to talk to their parents about these issues. Students will have an opportunity to let their school counselor know if they have a concern for themselves or for a friend.

The main message of the program is ACT:  Acknowledge, Care, Tell

ü  ACKNOWLEDGE – Listen to your friend; don’t ignore threats.

ü  CARE – Let your friend know that you care, and that they need the help of an adult.

ü  TELL – Tell a trusted adult that you have a concern for your friend. 

Below are some signs of concern that can help you, as a parent, know whether your child has the “adolescent blues” or if it’s something more serious? 

 Ø  Depressed mood (sad, down, grouchy, or irritable)

Ø  Avoiding family or friends

Ø  A decline in grades

Ø  Struggling to complete simple tasks

Ø  Not taking care of physical health or personal cleanliness

Ø  Change in sleeping patterns, weight, and/or appetite

Ø  Feelings of worthlessness and/or hopelessness

Ø  Constant worry about body image

Ø  Drug and/or alcohol abuse

Ø  Thoughts or writing of death, suicide, or wishes to be dead

If any of these symptoms last over a period of weeks, you may decide to seek help outside the family. The school counselor can help you find appropriate resources.

Every year our counselors train our students to be aware and to help others.  If you would like to know more about the content or purpose of the presentation, or how to reinforce the messages with your child, please feel free to contact your child’s counselor. If you prefer that your child not participate in the program, please respond in the google form sent out in the fall.  

Unfortunately, life today can be challenging for our kiddos and sometimes students get to a point of crisis. Below is a link on suicide prevention:

https://www.friscoisd.org/departments/guidance-and-counseling/counseling-resources/suicide