Presenting Depression to Kids

[perfectbluebuildings, BSN, RN]

Hi everyone, I am participating in a health fair as part of my community and leadership class and one topic I am responsible for is depression in youth. THe health fair is targeted towards eighth graders and I and the other students will have about seven minutes with each group of students per topic. I have information about depression, but am stumped as for a good interactive way to present the knowledge to the students and help it to "stick". Any advice is appreciated- thank you!! :)

[hypnotic_nurse]

I sometimes speak at the high school on psych disorders. I always start off with the percentages...and that if statistics are correct, X number of people right here will have it sometime in their lifetime. That always starts some discussion.

I also give the warning signs...and stress that it's necessary to tell an adult if someone they know exhibits any of them.

[warrior woman]

Find some video presentations movies;ect. that appeal to young people. Emphasize to them that depression can happen at ANY age to ANY person.

[perfectbluebuildings, BSN, RN]

Thank you so much for your suggestions!! I will take them to heart and let you know how it goes. Take care.

[goodknight]

speaking as a young person I'd suggest trying to remove some of the stigma from 'mental disease'. That's a big problem I see in lots of kids and parents.

I know that when I was 13 'depression' was not a word I was open to hearing, even though looking back it was (and still is to some extent) an accurate diagnosis.