+

Times

10am
Devotion
10:15am What is mental health
When mental illness strikes
Depression
Role of psychiatry

11am

11:30am

12:15pm

Break
1pm

Managing emotional pain

Psychological pain, Selfharm and Suicide
What do I do?
What do I say? /not say?
Q&A

Think of the first thing that comes into

your head when we talk about mental
health
We all have mental health
either good or poor mental health

When mental health fails

Diagnosis of mental illness

Causes of mental illness

+ What mental illnesses

Depression
Anxiety

am I
most likely to see
in my youth group?

Eating disorders

ASD
ADHD
Psychosis

Depression

Guilt

Anxiety

Fear

Eating disorders

Whos in control

Identity

ASD

Acceptance Identity

Self worth

ADHD
Psychosis

Self worth

Hope

Self control Respect for authority

Truth

Reality

Fear

Self worth

Depression
-

Describing

Defining

Causes

+
Treating

Where does the youth group come in?

Describing depression

What words would you use?

If there is hell on earth it is to be found in a melancholy of heart

Its not just my body that is tired, its my brain. I constantly feel as though
an iron vice were tightening on my cranium. My head feels empty. My
mind wont work. My ideas are confused and I can no longer concentrate.

Defining depression

Depression means different things to different people

Doctors use a system to diagnose and treat any illness

Mental disorders are defined using ICD10 or DSM V

Key symptoms

Depressed mood loss of interest easily tired

Mild

depressive episode

2 out of 3 for at least 2 weeks

Plus 2 other symptoms for another list
Moderate

depressive episode

2 out of 3 for at least 2 weeks

Plus 3 (preferably 4) symptoms from another list
Plus difficulty in continuing with daily activity

Reduced concentration
Reduced attention
Reduced self esteem and
confidence
Ideas of guilt
Pessimistic about the future

Severe

depressive episode

As above
With considerable agitation and distress
Loss of self esteem, guilt, worthlessness
Suicide is a distinct danger

Ideas/acts of self harm/

suicide
Disturbed sleep
Disturbed appetite

Physical symptoms

Changes in behaviour
Emotional symptoms
Changes in thinking

Physical symptoms
Sleep

disturbance

change

of appetite

Loss

of energy

Poor

concentration

Change in behaviour

Stop doing things

Become withdrawn

Neglect themselves

Self harm

Emotional symptoms

Low mood

Anxiety

Irritability

Loss of enjoyment

Apathy

Altered thinking
About
Oneself
Worthless

The

past

Lacking purpose

Guilt
The

world

People/events against them

The

future

Hopelessness

What causes depression?

Life events esp. loss
Family history (genetic)
Early experiences
Personality
Physical illness
Alcohol/drugs
Medication

Treatment of Depression

Treatment
Talk to someone
Establish a routine
Visit

a doctor

Talking Therapies
Counselling
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Medication
Severe/complicated depression referred
to psychiatry

Is that it?

Physical

Mental

Spiritual

low self-esteem
eating disorder
sexual confusion
learning
disability
self-harm
loneliness
bereavement
stress
family

When Young
People Bring
Difficult Issues
To Your Door...

Difficult
circumstance

Psychological and
emotional pain
Very Complex
There doesnt have
to be diagnosed
mental illness

Loss

Guilt/anger
Trauma
Lower
Serotonin

Depression
Anxiety
Adrenaline

Abuse

Self-nurturing
Eating
Sleeping
Working
Exercising
Relaxing
Relationships
Family
Alcohol/drugs
Spending

+ Self-harm

Self-harming

Personal
Self-harm
Spectrum
Risk taking
behaviour

Sexual abuse
Neglect
Emotional abuse Physical abuse
Loss/separation Mental illness
Parental illness/alcoholism
Witnessing family violence,
Excessively high expectations,
Racism, sectarianism,
Bullying and rejection by peers,
Fear and shame about sexuality

REASONS FOR
SELF-INJURY:

Feelings caused by life-experiences:

Emotional pain
(Sadness, grief, hopelessness
desperation)

Self hatred
(Shame, guilt, dirtiness)

Anger
(Fear, hurt, frustration)

Anxiety
(Fear, tension, panic)

Isolation
(lonely unsupported, unheard)

April 2013 and March 2014:

There were 8,453 self-harm presentations to
Emergency Departments (ED) in Northern Ireland,
involving 5,983 persons

Self- Harm
FUNCTIONS SERVED:
Relief of feelings
(Expressing, externalising, distracting, numbing,
calming) (Atonement, washing/cutting out badness)

Control
(Over own life/self, own anger, make self unattractive
to abuser)

Communication
(To self or others, of feelings or problems)

Comfort/Nurture
(by self or others)

Feel real or alive

Stop flashbacks

Things to watch out for

in self-harm

Giving
support

Unexplained wounds or scars from cuts,

bruises, or burns, usually on the wrists, arms, thighs,
or chest.

Blood stains on clothing, towels, or bedding;

blood-soaked tissues.

Punching hard objects or self

Sharp objects or cutting instruments, such as
razors, knives, needles, glass shards, or bottle caps, in
the persons belongings.

Frequent accidents. Someone who self-harms

may claim to be clumsy or have many mishaps, in
order to explain away injuries.

Covering up. A person who self-injures may insist

on wearing long sleeves or long pants, even in hot
weather.

Needing to be alone for long periods of time,

especially in the bedroom or bathroom.

Isolation and irritability.

1. Each person is
unique
2. Dont show shock
3. Dont say Stop it

Remember there is

Psychological/
Emotional pain

Recovery
Put together a list of
positive coping
mechanisms and
ways to reduce
emotional pain

People who talk

about ending
their life wont
do it!

Someone who is
suicidal wants to die
and there is nothing
you can do to stop
them!

Things to look out for

+
it relation to suicide

Talking about killing or harming ones

self

Expressing strong feelings of

hopelessness or being trapped

An unusual preoccupation with death or

dying

Acting recklessly, as if they have a

death wish (e.g. speeding through red
lights)

Calling or visiting people to say

goodbye

Getting affairs in order (giving away

prized possessions, tying up loose ends)

Saying things like Everyone would be

better off without me or I want out

A sudden switch from being extremely

depressed to acting calm and happy
(counter signs)

Statistics (2014)
Road deaths
79
Deaths by suicide 268

(2015 - 318)

Supporting someone with thoughts of

suicide

Safety plan

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Tell me abo u
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Do yo u want to d ie
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Can we put a safety plan together?

1.Stay with someone

2.Who can you phone/talk
to/visit?
Lifeline-0808 808 8000
NLF- 028 87753327
Friend, Pastor, Youth
leader, teacher, family
G.P., Key worker, Mental
health team
3. Reasons to stay safe
4. Warning signs

Practical advice
Stay with the person
Dont judge them
If you suspect immediate
danger go to A&E.
Get help!
Keeping them safe is the
priority

Brittany Spears

Stephen Fry

Loving the individual

e!
l
p
o
e
p
x
fi
o
t
y
r
t
Dont
Can yo u dea
l w it h it
emotionally?
It can be frustrating
keeps showing love
ain!
p
e
h
t
bo ut
a
e
Tell m

Yo u are uniqu
e, lo ve d and s
pecial

More training
Mental Health first
aid course
ASIST training
Applied suicide intervention
skills training

So should we just hand over the

care of our young people to the
professionals?

Physical

Mental

Spiritual

+
We need to acknowledge the role of
the professionals that God has gifted

We can help in the ways that

God has gifted us

Practical things to do and say

Your Attitude

Show genuine love create an environment for

honest chats
Show you see the person behind the pain
Give the person time
Important things to ask when someone admits their mood
is low

Ask them to describe their feelings

Ask if they are harming themselves but dont ask for
details
Ask if they have thoughts of suicide
(if yes ask if there is a plan)
Know your limits

Practical things to do and say

Some things to avoid

Dont tell them to pull themselves together
Dont just say stop it!

(even though it is your natural instinct. )

Dont over spiritualise or demonize

Dont try to fix the person

Some things to be aware of

They may be angry you (allow them to be!)

They may be angry with God & appear to turn their
back on him
They often feel guilty, ashamed and a burden

Continue to teach Gods Word

A right view
of God

- Holy
- Good
- Faithful

of ourselves

of suffering

- Sinful
- Accepted
- Loved
- Purposeful
-Can be to
Gods glory

There
is
always
hope

Psalm 42 & 43
1As

the deerpants for streams of water,

so my soul pantsfor you, O God.
2My soul thirstsfor God, for the living God.
When can I goand meet with God?
3My tearshave been my food
day and night,
while men say to me all day long,
Where is your God?
4These things I remember
as I pour out my soul:
how I used to go with the multitude,
leading the procession to the house of God,
with shouts of joyand thanksgiving
among the festive throng.
5Why are you downcast,O my soul?
Why so disturbedwithin me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praisehim,
my Saviourand6my God.

Psalm 42 & 43
1As

the deerpants for streams of water,

so my soul pantsfor you, O God.
2My soul thirstsfor God, for the living God.
When can I goand meet with God?
3My tearshave been my food
day and night,
while men say to me all day long,
Where is your God?
4These things I remember
as I pour out my soul:
how I used to go with the multitude,
leading the procession to the house of God,
with shouts of joyand thanksgiving
among the festive throng.
5Why are you downcast,O my soul?
Why so disturbedwithin me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praisehim,
my Saviourand6my God.

Psalm 42 & 43
1As

the deerpants for streams of water,

so my soul pantsfor you, O God.
2My soul thirstsfor God, for the living God.
When can I goand meet with God?
3My tearshave been my food
day and night,
while men say to me all day long,
Where is your God?
4These things I remember
as I pour out my soul:
how I used to go with the multitude,
leading the procession to the house of God,
with shouts of joyand thanksgiving
among the festive throng.
5Why are you downcast,O my soul?
Why so disturbedwithin me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praisehim,
my Saviourand6my God.

Speak truth to yourself !

My[c]soul is downcast within me;

therefore I will rememberyou
from the land of the Jordan,
the heights of Hermonfrom Mount Mizar.
7Deep calls to deep
in the roar of your waterfalls;
all your waves and breakers
have swept over me.
8By day theLorddirects his love,
at nighthis songis with me
a prayer to the God of my life.
9I say to God my Rock,
Why have you forgottenme?
Why must I go about mourning,
oppressedby the enemy?
10My bones suffer mortal agony
as my foes tauntme,
saying to me all day long,
Where is your God?
11Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,

The Lord is in control !

Today as I look back, I am convinced that the whole

ordeal of my paralysis was inspired by His love.
I wasnt a rat in a maze. I wasnt the brunt of some
cruel divine joke.
God had reasons behind my suffering, and learning
some of them has made all the difference in the
world.
He has reasons for your suffering too.
Joni Erikson-Tada

My[c]soul is downcast within me;

therefore I will rememberyou
from the land of the Jordan,
the heights of Hermonfrom Mount Mizar.
7Deep calls to deep
in the roar of your waterfalls;
all your waves and breakers
have swept over me.
8By day theLorddirects his love,
at nighthis songis with me
a prayer to the God of my life.
9I say to God my Rock,
Why have you forgottenme?
Why must I go about mourning,
oppressedby the enemy?
10My bones suffer mortal agony
as my foes tauntme,
saying to me all day long,
Where is your God?
11Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,

The Lord is in control !

My[c]soul is downcast within me;

therefore I will rememberyou
from the land of the Jordan,
the heights of Hermonfrom Mount Mizar.
7Deep calls to deep
in the roar of your waterfalls;
all your waves and breakers
have swept over me.
8By day theLorddirects his love,
at nighthis songis with me
a prayer to the God of my life.
9I say to God my Rock,
Why have you forgottenme?
Why must I go about mourning,
oppressedby the enemy?
10My bones suffer mortal agony
as my foes tauntme,
saying to me all day long,
Where is your God?
11Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,

The Lord is in control !

Keep going!

Psalm 43
1Vindicate

me, O God,
and plead my causeagainst an ungodly nation;
rescue mefrom deceitful and wicked men.
2You are God my stronghold.
Why have you rejectedme?
Why must I go about mourning,
oppressed by the enemy?
3Send forth your lightand your truth,
let them guide me;
let them bring me to your holy mountain,
to the place where you dwell.
4Then will I goto the altarof God,
to God, my joyand my delight.
I will praise you with the harp,
O God, my God.
5Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,

Jesus understands

He went through hell

so that you
do not have to go to hell

Jesus said
Come to me
all you who are weary
and burdened
and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28

Any
question
s?