School-Based Depression Education and Outreach Collaborations
The University of Michigan Comprehensive Depression Center is committed to recognizing and treating depression as early as possible, to reduce recurrences and improve outcomes. The Center is also committed to reducing the stigma of depressive illnesses.
As part of this mission the Depression Center developed two pilot initiatives, in partnership with the Gull Lake Community Schools and Ann Arbor Public Schools, to provide depression awareness and suicide prevention education, training, and support for school personnel, designed to:
- Address the need for early recognition of depression, bipolar disorder and risk for suicide among youth;
- Further educate teachers, counselors, mental health professionals, and other “front line” personnel working with young people to raise their awareness and knowledge of depressive and bipolar illnesses and suicide risk factors.
The average age of symptom onset of clinical depression and bipolar disorder is between 15 – 24 years. Recognizing and managing depression as early as possible can help young people to better prevent negative outcomes, and tragedies in our schools and elsewhere. Increased awareness of depression among this age group is the first step toward implementing effective intervention.
This website offers resources and information which will be useful to educators, parents, and students from any community. In addition, personnel from the Gull Lake Community Schools and Ann Arbor Public Schools may access information regarding specific trainings and educational programs which are part of these Depression Center outreach collaborations.
This website is a work-in-progress, so we encourage you to check back periodically for updates. Please contact Trish Meyer at meyerpa@umich.edu with any questions.
Depression Center Resources
Depression Center – Depression in Children and Adolescents
Facts about depression in children and adolescents, symptoms of depression in children, risk factors for suicide and depression in children, and treatment options for children with depression.
Depression Center – Workshops and Support Groups
A list of various available family education workshops, depression and bipolar support groups, survivors of suicide of family member or friend support group, and therapy groups for children and adults.
Community Resources: Depression [PDF]
A directory of phone number of various community resources dedicated to helping with mental illness both in and outside of Washtenaw County.
