Here is a fact sheet on depression
Characteristics of Depression in Adolescents:
- Decreased self-esteem and feelings of self-worth
- Mild irritability
- Negative perceptions of student's past and present
- Peer rejection
- Lack of interest and involvement in previously enjoyed activities
- Boredom
- Impulsive and risky behavior
- Substance abuse
What Depression looks like in School:
- Self-deprecating comments
- Defiance with authority figures, difficulties interacting with peers, argumentativeness
- Pessimistic comments, suicidal thoughts
- Isolation, frequent change in friends
- Isolation and withdrawal
- Sulking, noncompliance
- Theft, sexual activity, alcohol or drug use, truancy
- Acting out of character, sleeping in class
Strategies to help students with Depression:
- Give frequent feedback on academic, social, and behavioral performance.
- Teach the student how to set goals and self-monitor.
- Teach problem-solving skills.
- Coach the student in ways to organize, plan, and execute tasks demanded daily or weekly in school.
- Develop modifications and accommodations to respond to the student's fluctuations in mood, ability to concentrate, or side effects of medication. Assign one individual to serve as a primary contact and coordinate interventions.
- Give the student opportunities to engage in social interactions.
- Frequently monitor whether the student has suicidal thoughts.
- Develop a home–school communication system to share information on the student's academic, social, and emotional behavior and any developments concerning medication or side effects.