Dealing with students who suffer from depression?!
Question: Dealing with students who suffer from depression!?
I am a teacher and know that some of my students have serious depression issues because they have confided in me!. I live in a foreign country and these people are adults so there is very little I can do to assist them in terms of getting authorities involved!. My question is how can I help them without going overboard!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
Hi Ginny, debbri48 what's the matter with you!? you have no idea what your talking about, r u kidding me, these people could be suicidal and there 14 and your talking about employers who gives a crap about employers at this age!? my sister recently killed herself, whatever, Anyway, Ginny, all you can do in your position is maybe check out resources in your area maybe some places you can suggest they turn to, support groups etc,,,I'm sure if you made a few phone calls on behalf of these students you would be surprised of the help you would get from Church's, mental health organizations, hospitals, etc,,, please do anything you can, this is so close to my heart and trust me you never know how serious someones depression is, my sister left my own house and went home and shot herself in the head, and I'm a pretty intelligent girl and I thought things were bad but had no idea they were that bad, so please without being so dramatic learn about this, read whatever just don't put this on your shoulders, I'll never get over the guilt and I hate to see someone else feel guilty for this it's the worst thing in the world love ElizabethWww@Answer-Health@Com
Firstly - do not tell them you have had this yourself - seriously, your relationship with them is vertical not horizontal like a peer one would be!.
There are things you can do - talking is for many people cathartic - look into Carl Rodgers etc for insight into how to be a good listener, basically do not give advice, just try and tease out from them how they are feeling - for example mirror what they are saying, acknowledge their feelings etc etc
If you could take a counselling skills course this may make you more competent in this!.
Also encourage them to write about how they are feeling etc and if you must let them know they are not alone, just generally tell them how common depression can be (but not in a way that makes them feel dismissed!.) good luck!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
There are things you can do - talking is for many people cathartic - look into Carl Rodgers etc for insight into how to be a good listener, basically do not give advice, just try and tease out from them how they are feeling - for example mirror what they are saying, acknowledge their feelings etc etc
If you could take a counselling skills course this may make you more competent in this!.
Also encourage them to write about how they are feeling etc and if you must let them know they are not alone, just generally tell them how common depression can be (but not in a way that makes them feel dismissed!.) good luck!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
I too suffer from it and if your pupils confide in you then I feel you have a moral obligation to assist them in every way possible, remember they have taken the first step by telling you!. Explain to them that there are a lot of ways for them to get help without the world and his wife knowing!. Depending on the age of the students why dont you ask them to write an essay on any given illness and how they might try to combat this!. I feel that the principal should be told ans social services involved in some capacity!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
I agree that you shouldn't mention your own depression!.
Speaking from experience I can only add to waht the other people already said that you should stress that it is not something to be ashamed about!. (although!.!.!. you live in Japan, am I right!? I assume they look a little less benevolent on depression there) And make sure they get to the doctor!. Meds don't always help, but it's a start!.
Good luck!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Speaking from experience I can only add to waht the other people already said that you should stress that it is not something to be ashamed about!. (although!.!.!. you live in Japan, am I right!? I assume they look a little less benevolent on depression there) And make sure they get to the doctor!. Meds don't always help, but it's a start!.
Good luck!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
I don't know what grade you are talking about!. but if in middle school or high school then you should talk to them about that an employer will not put up with there depression!.
Life is hard and I think it has never been harder than it is now!. But to help kids with depression is not to baby them!. They need an ear so that they can talk about it and so the person listening can show them what is good and what is going right!. In depression people dwell only what is bad and not enough of what is good!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Life is hard and I think it has never been harder than it is now!. But to help kids with depression is not to baby them!. They need an ear so that they can talk about it and so the person listening can show them what is good and what is going right!. In depression people dwell only what is bad and not enough of what is good!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Being a teacher in Asia often means being a counselor!. They often exagerate with their problems!. Don't stress yourself too much with it, give them some advice about getting medical help and then act cheerful!. All they really want is someone to talk and listen to! Good luck!Www@Answer-Health@Com
The only thing you can do is to advice them to go to the doctor!.I also have had serious depression all my life and found medication helps when it turns to clinical!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
make the help phone numbers available to them on an area of the chaulk board!. if they want it, then they can write it down!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
I applaud your concern, but your primary mission here is to teach these individuals!. While your heart is in the right place, you simply couldn't take on the roll of teacher and counsellor at the same time!. You could easily deviate away from your primary objective and find yourself overwhelmed!. That's not to say that teachers are not already 'counsellors', they are!. But on the scale you are suggesting, it would be best left to other professionals!. You can help by candidly bringing up the subject of depression for discussion and see where it goes from there!. Make sure you have a list of organisations and agencies that can offer help!. For example, the Samaritans and Child line along with the telephone numbers will put you in an open and honest position in which you can help!. There isn't enough room here to explore all the factors involved, but at least it might give you a start and put your own mind somewhat at ease!. Hope this helps!. Good luck!.Www@Answer-Health@Com