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Alpha Stage
Depression
February 22, 2007




This week's Newsweek Magazine features a series of articles on male
depression. The main article is entitled, "Men & Depression: Facing
Darkness."

The article states, "Six million American men will be diagnosed with
depression this year..Millions more suffer silently..In a..culture in
which Americans are increasingly obsessed with their health, it may
seem clichéd..to say that men tend not to take care of themselves and
are reluctant to own up to mental illness. But the facts suggest that,
well, men tend not to take care of themselves and are reluctant to own
up to mental illness.. Instead of talking about their feelings, men may
mask them with alcohol, drug abuse, gambling, anger or by becoming
workaholics.."

Read a Similar Article!!


Discussion-Starters for Younger Children

  • Ask your students to think of something that makes them really
    happy. Ask them to think of something that makes them really
    sad. Why do these things make them happy and sad?
  • Consider asking students to draw a picture of something
    that makes them very happy.

  • Ask your students what they can do when they become sad to
    make them less sad?
  • Consider making a list of ideas on the board.

  • Ask your students if they've ever seen somebody else really
    sad. Is there any way that they can help somebody who's sad?
    How?
  • Students might make skits explaining how they could
    help people become happier.

  • Do your students think that it is OK to cry? Is it OK to be sad?
    Help your students understand that everybody has feelings. It's
    OK to feel however one feels.
  • Consider asking your students to write songs celebrating
    the importance of feelings and the value of each
    individual. Students who can not yet write might dictate.

Discussion-Starters for Older Students

  • Vocabulary terms to discuss: Irritable; Ruminating;
    Clandestinely; and, Inundated.

  • Ask your students to explain the difference between logic and
    emotion. Do feelings have to be logical? Why/why not?
  • You might ask students to respond to these questions in
    writing. Science teachers might explain the scientific
    difference between logical thinking and emotion.

  • Do your students think that people should work to control their
    emotions? Why/why not? Will people always be able to control
    their emotions? Why/why not?
  • These questions might prompt an interesting class
    discussion. Help students understand that some people
    simply do not have the ability to fully control their
    emotions, such as depression, because they have
    chemical imbalances. This is nothing to be ashamed of.

  • Is there such thing as being too happy? What about too funny?
    Encourage your students to explain their opinions.

  • According to the article one way that people help themselves
    overcome depression is by helping other people. Why do your
    students think this is the case?
  • Tell your students to imagine that they are working with
    somebody who is depressed. They must help this
    person develop a plan for overcoming their depression.
    In groups of two or three they should develop these
    plans. Consider asking students to base their plans upon
    a little research.

(Note: The developer of this content has struggled with depression for
much of his life. Though he understands this illness from a personal
perspective, he is in no way an expert on the topic. The questions on
this newsletter are simply ideas. They are in no way meant as
professional advice.)
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