Depression Workshop
As part of our popular PSHE workshop portfolio, 2020 Dreams have created an Understanding Depression Workshop to challenge misconceptions, help young people to recognise the symptoms of the illness, in themselves and others, and to learn valuable social skills for reaching out and supporting one another.
We all know how moody teenagers can be at times but when a low mood persists for more than two weeks or regularly recurs, affecting schoolwork, friendships and family life then depression could be the reason.
Some forms of depression are mild, with periods where life becomes a struggle and there is a lack of enjoyment in everyday activities while others can be severe and may lead to thoughts of suicide.
There are also specific forms of depression such as Seasonal Affective Disorder, which comes on in the autumn and winter months and bipolar disorder – sometimes referred to as manic depression – where periods of excitement and creativity cycle with periods of low mood and lethargy.
The Symptoms of Depression
As part of the 2020 Dreams Understanding Depression Workshop, participants will learn to recognise some of the many psychological and physical symptoms of the illness.
These include:
- Withdrawal from other people
- Fatigue and a lack of energy
- Change in eating habits and appetite
- Change in sleeping habits (insomnia or oversleeping)
- Tearfulness
- Lack of pleasure in activities that were once enjoyable
- Poor memory and concentration
- Low self-confidence and self-esteem
- Pessimism about the future and a feeling that life has no meaning
- Aches and pains
- Self-harm
- Suicidal thoughts
However, a 2020 Dreams Understanding Depression Workshop is much more than just a one-way flow of information from facilitator to student.
As with all of our workshops, Understanding Depression is a set of collaborative activities designed to stimulate real interest that will have long-term benefit to the students, school and community as a whole.
Facilitating Support by Understanding Depression
Understanding depression does not come about through rote learning and handouts which is why our workshops make use of two of the most effective tools of engagement: scenario-based role-play and open discussion forums.
Role plays present realistic situations that young people may come across in the playground or wider community and challenges them to assess the situation and apply the social skills they have learned to create a positive end result. By actually practising these skills, they will become more integrated and available in real-world situations.
Student-led discussions, facilitated by our experienced workshop leaders, help young people to deepen their understanding further by bringing up their own questions, opinions and solutions and, where relevant, relating their own personal experiences.
Following the workshop, students will be in a better position to support their peers in overcoming depression while making positive decisions to protect themselves from becoming ill. They will also learn about the many sources of information and support that are open to them from the GP and hospital mental health service to charities and helplines such as Mind and the Samaritans.
Booking your 2020 Dreams PSHE Workshop?
2020 Dreams have many years of experience in providing high-quality PSHE workshops led by well-trained, sensitive and experienced facilitators. We have provided such courses throughout the UK and are happy to customise a course to fit in with the requirements of your school or institution.
As well as schools we also work with young people’s charities, PRUs, Young Offender Institutions and other bodies.
