Signs and Symptoms
“Depressed mood” can look like sadness, or in children and teens, more like irritability. Depression often brings a loss of concentration or interest in things that used to be fun or pleasurable — parents may see this as apathy. Changes in sleep (too much or too little) and eating (too much or too little) are also signs that sadness has progressed to depression. Sometimes depression just looks like it has slowed the person down. They may report fatigue and appear to be moving more slowly, perhaps alongside restless feelings. These symptoms combine to cause significant difficulty coping with life and participating in social, school or work activities.\

Jason Flatt Act
Suicide Prevention Plan, Crisis Intervention and Professional Learning
The Jason Flatt Act (KSA 72-8260) was passed by the Kansas Legislature and signed by the governor in spring 2016. As a result of this law, each building will have a crisis plan that will include:

• recognition of suicide ideation;
• appropriate interventions; and a crisis recovery plan

So that this information is in the hands of those working closest to the student, each school will provide at least one hour of suicide awareness and prevention training for all school personnel. The content of this training will be made available for parental review.

In Dodge City, we have found that the Jason Flatt Act is very compatible with our efforts of suicide prevention and intervention. Our district has taken a tiered approach offering prevention education to all students, responsive services to those in need, and intervention protocols for those in crisis. Each building also has a comprehensive crisis plan and crisis response team to work with individuals and groups in the event of a crisis. The district also has a crisis response team that supports staff and students during and after an event. The Jason Flatt Act has given us an opportunity to review and refine our procedures while developing annual training presentations that adhere to the KSA 72-8260 and regulations passed by the Kansas School Board.

Our plan is to develop suicide prevention training that includes all KSDE required components and professional learning related to mental health, protective factors, and risk factors. Each year, members of the building mental health team will utilize the following information to meet the requirements and, most importantly, provide for a responsive, safe environment for students.

Resources
If you are concerned about your child and depression, you can contact your school counselor/school nurse/school psychologist. The school will be able to give you additional information and advice specific to your child. Your family doctor is a great resource. Please click on the link below for a list of resources in our community.
Mental Health Resources - Dodge City