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          AMY CARLSON, M.DIV, MSW, LISW-S

                REBECCA QUELLA, MSW, LISW-S

PARENTS IN THE KNOW: 

STRESS, ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, OH MY!

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Olmsted Falls City School District, 1/18/2022

WELCOME

STRESS 

• Adolescents and Stress 
• Not all stress is harmful 
• Varying degrees of stress throughout the day 
• Can initiate changes in motivation and behaviors 
• Ranges from: 

positive – tolerable – toxic 

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CONSIDER THE STRESS 

Positive Stress 

• Short-lived 
• Brief increases in heart rate or mild changes in body's hormone levels 
• Essential to normal and healthy development
• *Stressful events can be positive with necessary support to help develop sense of mastery

Tolerable Stress 

• Generally, occurs over limited periods of time
• Longer increases in heart rate and hormonal levels 
• Can impact normal development 
• *Supportive relationships necessary to make stressful events tolerable rather than toxic

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      CONSIDER THE STRESS

Toxic Stress 

• Often chronic
• Can change the body's stress response system (hormones and brain architecture)
• Responds to lower threshold to events that might not be stressful to others
• Events that are chronic, uncontrollable, and/or that are experienced without caring support 

Pandemic Stress* 

• Occurs over uncertain amount of time
• Experience can be disorientating 
• Impacts social connectedness 
• Countless "unknowns" 

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ANXIETY

• Anxiety is an unpleasant feeling with thoughts of worry that are hard to control or are uncontrollable. 

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SYMPTOMS OF ANXIETY

• Excessive/recurring fear and/or worry 
• Hyperactivity 
• Falling asleep in class
• Restlessness
• Irritability 
• Sudden decrease in school performance 
• Loss of interest in friends and favorite activities 
• Loss of appetite 
• Physical sensations, stomachache, muscle tension, etc. 
• Visible prolonged sadness 
• Sleep problems 

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This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND.

DEPRESSION

DEPRESSION IS A MOOD DISORDER THAT SHOWS UP AS PERSISTENT FEELINGS OF SADNESS AND LOSS OF INTEREST, DISRUPTING A CHILD'S ABILITY TO FUNCTION

SIGNS �AND SYMPTOMS�

• Persistent feelings of sadness
• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed
• Isolating from friends/family/activities
• Changes in appetite — weight loss or gain unrelated to dieting
• Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
• Loss of energy or increased fatigue
• Feeling worthless or guilt
• Low self-esteem
• Difficulty thinking, concentrating or making decisions
• Extreme sensitivity to rejection or failure
• Thoughts/statements around death or suicide
• Suicidal ideation

        SITUATIONAL��OVERCOME EASILY WITH WILLPOWER ALONE��UNTREATABLE!���

DEPRESSION IS NOT

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��VICTIM OR WITNESS TO VIOLENCE��ONGOING PAIN OR CHRONIC PHYSICAL ILLNESS��ALCOHOL OR OTHER DRUG USE��BEING GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL OR TRANSGENDER IN AN UNSUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT

This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND.

RISK FACTORS

NURTURE

• UPBRINGING
• TOXIC STRESS
• TRAUMA              
• LIFE EXPERIENCES

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NATURE

• GENETICS
• BIOCHEMISTRY
• HORMONAL / DEVELOPMENTAL CHANGES

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�HOW TO HELP��

LISTEN TO HEAR� 

GIVE YOUR CHILD PERMISSION TO EXPRESS THEIR FEELINGS�

EDUCATE AND PROVIDE RESOURCES�

USE CALMING AND COPING STRATEGIES WITH YOUR CHILD�

PRACTICE SELF-CARE AND MODEL COPING STRATEGIES �

SPEND TIME WITH YOUR CHILD ��SEEK OUT PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT

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This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC.

UNDERSTANDING 

SUICIDE

LOCAL AND NATIONAL RESOURCES

• 911
• Local 24-Hour Mobile Crisis #: (216) 623-6888
• Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
• Crisis Text Line: Text “4HOPE” to 741741
• Fairview Hospital Psychiatric Services #: (216) 476-7000
• Non-Emergency Olmsted Falls Police Department: (440) 235-3145
• Non-Emergency Olmsted Township Police Department: (440) 235-3335

Contact School Staff If… Contact outside resources if…

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• Your child is present at school and experiencing a mental health related issue or crisis and you are made aware of the situation. Call staff during school hours.
• If you are concerned that an issue from home (for example the night before or that morning) will impact their school day, call staff during school hours.
• Non-crisis related messages can be left on a voicemail or email. If it is a crisis, call until you make contact or defer to outside resource.

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Regular School Hours

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• HS 7:30 AM - 3:00 PM
• MS 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM

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School staff do not maintain 24-hour access to phone and e-mail accounts

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• Your child is experiencing a mental health related issue or crisis outside of school hours that cannot wait until school is open. For example:
• Evenings
• Weekends
• Holiday Breaks
• Summer

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Crisis Resources

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Mobile Crisis: 216-623-6888

Crisis Text Line: 4HOPE to 741741

Fairview Psychiatric Services: 216-476-7000

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If In Need of Immediate Help

911

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Who to call at school…

• Your Child’s School Counselor
• The building School Psychologist
• Building administrators
• Main Office

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School-based services

• Classroom programming through guidance lessons and health class
• Small group counseling groups
• Individual check-ins with student service staff
• Support from a diverse team of school counselors, school psychologists, Behavior Specialist, Home Liaison
• John’s Safe Place at MS - Coming to HS soon
• Established district-wide suicide response protocol
• Connections to community resources

SOURCES AND THANKS:��DSM-5 �AMERICAN PSYCHIATRY ASSOCIATION�MAYO CLINIC�REINHILD BOEHME (THE INSTITUTE OF FAMILY AND COMMUNITY IMPACT)�