Hold On

You
Matter
In Memory of
Alec Pizzi
What is Mental Health?
What Mental Heath Isn’t...
Know the Symptoms...
❏ Persistent sad, anxious or "empty" mood
❏ Sleeping too much or too little, middle of
the night or early morning waking
❏ Reduced appetite and weight loss, or
increased appetite and weight gain
❏ Do you feel restless or have trouble
sitting still?
❏ Have you lost interest in activities and
hobbies that you used to enjoy?
❏ Do you always feel tired? Like you have
less energy than normal or no energy at
all?
❏ Do you feel like you have trouble
concentrating, remembering
information, or making decisions?
❏ Do you have aches or pains,
headaches, cramps, or stomach
problems without a clear cause?
❏ Do you ever think about dying or
suicide? Have you ever tried to harm
yourself?
And Get Help
• If you experience some or all of those symptoms nearly every day, all day, for two weeks
or longer it’s time to seek help.

• Try talking to a trusted adult, such as your parent or guardian, your teacher, or a school
counselor. If you don’t feel comfortable speaking to an adult, try talking to a friend.

• If you’re under the age of 18, ask your parent or guardian to make an appointment with
your doctor for an evaluation. Your doctor can make sure you don’t have a physical illness
that may be affecting your mental health. Your doctor may also talk to you about the
possibility of seeing a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist, counselor,
psychologist, or therapist.

• It’s nothing to feel bad or ashamed about--over 8 million adolescents in this country
struggle with depression so you are NOT alone.
How to Help a Friend- Depression
● Be supportive, patient, and encouraging, even if you don’t fully
understand what’s going on.

● Invite your friend to activities, social events, or just to hang out

● NEVER IGNORE comments about death and suicide, even if it

seems like a joke or overdramatic. Talking about suicide is not just
a bid for attention but should be taken seriously. Talk to a trusted
adult such as a parent, teacher or older sibling as soon as you
can.
How to Help a Friend- Suicide
Awareness
• Four of out of five people who commit suicide have given
clear warning signs prior to the attempt

• On the next slide are the warning signs that you might
recognize and should look out for
How to Help a Friend- Suicide Warning Signs
❏ Suddenly deteriorating school ❏ Depression
performance

❏ Bullying- both the bully and the victim

❏ Changes in school attendance are at risk

❏ Talking about suicide or making suicide ❏ Change in friendships--withdrawing from

threats friends and social activities

❏ Loss of interest in things they used to ❏ Mood swings or personality changes

enjoy

❏ Changes in eating and sleeping habits

❏ An unusual interest in death or dying

❏ New or increased use in alcohol and

❏ Taking unnecessary risks drugs

❏ Feelings of hopelessness ❏ Giving away prized possessions

How to Help a Friend- How to Ask?
• I have been feeling concerned about you lately. How
are you feeling?

• You have been acting strange lately, is everything okay?

• I am concerned about how you’ve been acting lately,

how are you doing?
How to Help a Friend- Getting Help
Now
• If you think they are in immediate danger of harming
themselves--CALL 911!

• If you or your friend is having a mental health crisis:

• call the Lenape Valley Foundation Crisis Hotline 24/7 at

1-800-499-7455

• text HOME to 741741 to text with a trained crisis counselor at

the National Crisis Text Line
Download the “A Friend Asks App”