Teen Dating violence: What you DON'T know....

	Teenagers often experience violence in dating relationships. Statistics show that one in three teenagers has experienced violence in a dating relationship. In dating violence, one partner tries to maintain power and control over the other through abuse. Dating violence crosses all racial, economic and social lines. Most victims are young women, who are also at greater risk for serious injury. Young women need a dating safety plan. Teen dating violence often is hidden because teenagers typically: are inexperienced with dating relationships. are pressured by peers to act violently. want independence from parents. have "romantic" views of love. Teen dating violence is influenced by how teenagers look at themselves and others. Young men may believe: they have the right to "control" their female partners in any way necessary. "masculinity" is physical aggressiveness they "possess" their partner. they should demand intimacy. they may lose respect if they are attentive and supportive toward their girlfriends. Young women may believe: they are responsible for solving problems in their relationships their boyfriend's jealousy, possessiveness and even physical abuse, is "romantic." abuse is "normal" because their friends are also being abused. there is no one to ask for help. Teenagers can choose better relationships when they learn to identify the early warning signs of an abusive relationship, understand that they have choices, and believe they are valuable people who deserve to be treated with respect. Early warning signs that your date may eventually become abusive: Extreme jealousy Controlling behavior Quick involvement Unpredictable mood swings Alcohol and drug use Explosive anger Isolates you from friends and family Uses force during an argument Shows hypersensitivity Believes in rigid sex roles Blames others for his problems or feelings Cruel to animals or children Verbally abusive Abused former partners Threatens violence Common clues that indicate a teenager may be experiencing dating violence: Physical signs of injury Truancy, dropping out of school Failing grades Indecision Changes in mood or personality Use of drugs/alcohol Pregnancy Emotional outburst Isolation From the Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence newsletter, Winter 1999 Help is available for teenagers

If you are a teenager involved in an abusive relationship, you need to remember that no one deserves to be abused or threatened. Remember you cannot change your batterer, and in time the violence will get worse. You need to take care of yourself. Talk to a trusted adult or locate a shelter or agency serving victims of domestic abuse in your community. Together, you can talk about making a plan to end the relationship and remain safe.
Call the Alabama Domestic Violence 24-hour hotline, 1-800-650-6522. Help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. (http://www.acadv.org/dating.html)
                                        

Depression

Why do most people shy away from the word DEPRESSION? Many people fail to recognize what depression is so I am going to take this time to share some information with you.  http://www.upliftprogram.com/depression_stats.html

Depression is one of the greatest problems and killers of our time. Here we list the latest depression statistics, reveal surprising facts about underlying depression causes, the failure of standard treatments, and what works for depression in the long-term. 

• Depressive disorders affect approximately 18.8 million American adults or about 9.5% of the U.S. population age 18 and older in a given year. This includes major depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder, and bipolar disorder. 
• Everyone, will at some time in their life be affected by depression -- their own or someone else's, according to Australian Government statistics. (Depression statistics in Australia are comparable to those of the US and UK.) 
• Pre-schoolers are the fastest-growing market for antidepressants. At least four percent of preschoolers -- over a million -- are clinically depressed.
  
• The rate of increase of depression among children is an astounding 23% p.a. 
• 15% of the population of most developed countries suffers severe depression. 
• 30% of women are depressed. Men's figures were previously thought to be half that of women, but new estimates are higher. 
• 54% of people believe depression is a personal weakness. 
• 41% of depressed women are too embarrassed to seek help. 
• 80% of depressed people are not currently having any treatment. 
• 92% of depressed African-American males do not seek treatment. 

• 15% of depressed people will commit suicide. 

• Depression will be the second largest killer after heart disease by 2020 -- and studies show depression is a contributory factor to fatal coronary disease.
   
• Depression results in more absenteeism than almost any other physical disorder and costs employers more than US$51 billion per year in absenteeism and lost productivity, not including high medical and pharmaceutical bills. 

Causes of Depression

• Short-term (exogenous) depression can be caused by loss or extreme trauma.
• Chronic or life-long (endogenous) depression is caused by trauma in childhood which includes: emotional, physical or sexual abuse; yelling or threats of abuse; neglect (even two parents working); criticism; inappropriate or unclear expectations; maternal separation; conflict in the family; divorce; family addiction; violence in the family, neighborhood or TV; racism and poverty.
• There may be a genetic basis to some depression, but even if there is that genetic propensity must be triggered by some traumatic or stressful event.
  
• The problem is structural more than chemical, although the latter is affected.
• Trauma prevents certain parts of the brain (hippocampus and frontal lobe, where decisions are made) from developing properly.
  
  
  
• Certain neurochemicals are also involved, such as a surplus of noradrenaline, perhaps as a result of the structural problem. Recent studies indicate that serotonin, which is targeted by most antidepressants (SSRIs), is not as much a factor in depression as the long-term presence of stress hormone cortisol.
  
  
  
• Physiological problems, plus learned beliefs and behaviors, make functional decisions difficult, and the results reinforce the depression in a vicious cycle.

Suicide Warning Signs:

• Appearing depressed or sad most of the time.
  (Untreated depression is the number one cause for suicide.)
• Talking or writing about death or suicide.
• Withdrawing from family and friends.
• Feeling hopeless.
• Feeling helpless.
• Feeling strong anger or rage.
• Feeling trapped -- like there is no way out of a situation.
• Experiencing dramatic mood changes.
• Abusing drugs or alcohol.
• Exhibiting a change in personality.
• Acting impulsively.
• Losing interest in most activities.
• Experiencing a change in sleeping habits.
• Experiencing a change in eating habits.
• Losing interest in most activities.
• Performing poorly at work or in school.
• Giving away prized possessions.
• Writing a will.
• Feeling excessive guilt or shame.
• Acting recklessly.

It should be noted that some people who die by suicide do not show any suicide warning signs.

But about 75 percent of those who die by suicide do exhibit some suicide warning signs, so we need to be aware of what the suicide warning signs are and try to spot them in people. If we do see someone exhibiting suicide warning signs, we need to do everything that we can to help them.

If you or someone you know exhibits several of the suicide warning signs listed above, immediate action is required. Always take suicide warning signs seriously. http://www.suicide.org

1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)

1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)

Suicide Prevention Lines