March 13, 2006 Hello! This past Friday (March 10, 2006), there was a story in the Washington Post: "About 2 a.m. one
sleepless night, sophomore Jordan Nott checked himself into George
Washington University Hospital. He was depressed, he said, and thinking
about suicide. Within a day and a half of arriving there, he got
a letter from a GWU administrator saying his 'endangering behavior'
violated the code of student conduct. He faced possible suspension
and expulsion from school, the letter said, unless he withdrew and
deferred the charges while he got treatment. In the meantime, he
was barred from campus. 'It was like a stab in the back,' he said.
He felt they were telling him, 'We're going to wipe our hands clean
of you.' His response has college administrators around the country
taking notice: Nott sued the university and individuals involved.
The school violated federal law protecting Americans with disabilities,
the complaint argues. The law covers mental as well as physical
impairments. In essence, it says the school betrayed him by sharing
confidential treatment information and suspending him just when
he most needed help." Why would the University take action against a student who was trying to seek help? "Some have decided
that the safest thing to do is to get rid of these kids, if someone
talks about suicide, or looks depressed.' More schools are adding
involuntary-leave policies. Some ask students to sign consent forms
so their confidential medical and psychological records can be shared.
Schools can legally alert parents and others if there is a threat
to health or safety -- and now, some say, they are far more likely
to do that. And some are expanding training for professors, dormitory
staff and others, giving them warning signs to watch for or designing
crisis intervention plans with mandatory counseling. 'To have knowledge
and fail to act is just an invitation to liability,' said Sheldon
Steinbach of the American Council on Education." "Some have decided that the safest thing to do is to get rid of these kids, if someone talks about suicide, or looks depressed." While almost everyone has had a bad day and "looked depressed" at some point, fewer reach the point of severe depression that affects the ability to function, and brings to mind thoughts of suicide. Unfortunately, it can often be difficult for teens and young adults to distinguish between what may be a severe depression, and what may be "normal." "True depression in
teens is often difficult to diagnose because normal adolescent behavior
is marked by both up and down moods, with alternating periods of
feeling 'the world is a great place' and 'life sucks.' These moods
may alternate over a period of hours or days. Persistent depressed
mood, faltering school performance, failing relations with family
and friends, substance abuse, and other negative behaviors may indicate
a serious depressive episode. These symptoms may be easy to recognize,
but depression in adolescents often manifests very differently than
these classic symptoms. Excessive sleeping, change in eating habits,
even criminal behavior (like shoplifting) may be signs of depression.
Another common symptom of adolescent depression is an obsession
with death, which may take the form either of suicidal thoughts
or of fears about death and dying. Long-term depressive illness
usually has its onset in the teen or young adult years -- about
15-20% of American teens have experienced a serious episode of depression,
which is similar to the proportion of adults suffering from depression." "[A]bout 15-20% of American teens have experienced a serious episode of depression, which is similar to the proportion of adults suffering from depression." Colleges certainly can't ask 15 - 20% of the students to leave, and students shouldn't be afraid of what might happen if they try to get help. "If you have been
thinking about suicide, get help right away, rather than simply
hoping your mood might improve. When a person has been feeling down
for so long, it's hard for him to understand that suicide isn't
the answer - it's a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Talk
to anyone you know as soon as you can - a friend, a coach, a relative,
a school counselor, a religious leader, a teacher, or any trusted
adult. Call your local emergency number or check in the front pages
of your phone book for the number of a local suicide crisis line.
These toll-free lines are staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
by trained professionals who can help you without ever knowing your
name or seeing your face. All calls are confidential - nothing is
written down and no one you know will ever find out that you've
called. There is also a National Suicide Helpline - 1-800-SUICIDE."
If you have been feeling depressed and/ or suicidal, the best thing to do is "get help right away." "If you have a friend
or classmate who you think is considering suicide, get help right
away rather than waiting to see if he will feel better. Even if
your friend or classmate swears you to secrecy, you must get help
as soon as possible - your friend's life could depend on it. A person
who is seriously thinking about suicide is depressed - and isn't
able to see that suicide is never the answer to his problems." If you are concerned that a friend or a relative is depressed and/ or suicidal: "get help right away." The following quote was designed for parents who are concerned about their teens, but teens concerned about their friends can benefit from the ideas mentioned, as well. "Asking your teen
[or your friend] whether he is depressed or is thinking about suicide
lets him know that someone cares. You're not putting thoughts of
suicide into his head. Instead you're giving your teen [or your
friend] the chance to talk about his problems. Remember that depression
and suicidal feelings are treatable mental disorders. The first
step is to listen to your adolescent [or your friend]. A professional
must then diagnose your teen's [or your friend's] illness and determine
a proper treatment plan. Your teen [or your friend] needs to share
her feelings, and many suicidal teens are pleading for help in their
own way. Your teen [or your friend] needs to feel that there is
hope--that people will listen, that things will get better, and
that she can overcome her problems." Colleges and universities
have students living in close proximity for months at a time. One
side of the issue: Students who are living with depression need
to know that help will be available. Another side of the issue:
These schools are concerned what actions those who are depressed
might take, and what effect Questions of the Week:
Please email me with any ideas or suggestions. I look forward to reading what you have to say. Cindy |
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