ABSTRACT
Young people clearly recognise that there are ways to deal with stress and prevent difficulties from building up. At the same time we know that stress and suicide are linked by the fact that when there is an inability to deal with stress it can lead to depression or despair and in extreme circumstances to suicide. There are many ways in which young people show that they are not coping effectively; depression is one example. This chapter explores the relationship between stress, depression and suicide. Models and factors in resilience are considered. Finally, illness, and the challenges that present to many young people in dealing with stress, are examined
DEPRESSION
We can usually recognise sadness in our friends and those close to us; what is more difficult to recognise is depression. Sadness is a universal emotion expressed by all of us at some time. It is a conflict-free emotion where we are aware of what sometimes feels like inescapable pain at a sense of loss or disappointment which can usually be explained by circumstances. Depression is an inner, subjective experience that can be reported by the depressed person or observed by others through their behaviour. There are many stressors that lead to depression. Adolescents who are depressed give strong clues by their words or their actions. Depression, in a clinical sense, on the other hand, is manifested by five or more of the following:1
• depressed mood; • markedly reduced interest or pleasure in most activities; • significant weight loss or weight gain; • insomnia or hypersomnia; • psychomotor agitation or retardation; • fatigue or loss of energy; • feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt; • reduced ability to concentrate or indecisiveness; • recurrent thoughts of death or suicidal ideation.
