THE ELEPHANT ON MY CHEST A LIFE NIGHT ON DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY DISORDERS

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2 GOAL LIFE NIGHT OVERVIEW THE ELEPHANT ON MY CHEST A LIFE NIGHT ON DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY DISORDERS To help teens recognize the symptoms of depression and anxiety disorders and give them tools to help themselves and peers experiencing depression or anxiety. KEY CONCEPTS Anxiety and depression disorders are common, and the symptoms can be alleviated. Hope and fullness of life can be found for those who are suffering. If a teen, or a friend of a teen, is experiencing symptoms of depression or anxiety help can be found by confiding in a trusted adult or calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline ( ). Even if the teen is not having thoughts of health professionals available 24/7 to answer calls. Depression and anxiety are places where we encounter a spiritual battle. Jesus is with us in our battle, and nothing can separate us from Him. ABOUT THIS LIFE NIGHT The Gather is a small group game that casually introduces the idea that people can feel weighed down by unspoken or unknown problems. The Proclaim discusses anxiety and depression disorders and offers solutions to those who may be struggling. The Life Night ends with a combined Break and Send that teaches mindfulness as a way to find peace for those who are struggling with diagnosed disorders or are going through a difficult period. ENVIRONMENT Create a comfortable and inviting space. Have the room prepared for teens with chairs set up, drinks and snacks available, the projector and any other audio visual needs set up. Have the church or chapel prepared for Adoration. Have Core Members welcoming the teens as they arrive. MEDIA SUGGESTIONS Happify: Why Mindfulness is a Super Power (youtube.com) Happify: Meditation 101: A Beginner s Guide Animation (youtube.com) YoungOceansVEVO: Young Oceans - WATER AND LIFE (youtube.com) AS YOU GET STARTED... KEY TERMS: Depression Anxiety Mindfulness SCRIPTURE: Deuteronomy 31:8 Isaiah 41:10 Matthew 6:26-34 Matthew 26:38-39 To prepare, consider reading and having Core Members read the following articles; Parent s Guide to Teen Depression: Recognizing the Signs of Depression in Teens and How You Can Help (www. helpguide.org/articles/depression/teen-depressionsigns-help) 2 THE ELEPHANT ON MY CHEST LIFE NIGHT 3

3 Anxiety and Depression Association of America: Children and Teens ( The youth minister and Core Members must prepare by knowing their community s mental health resources. One of the best ways to gather this information is to call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline ( ). The number is answered by local call centers in each state, and typically the clinicians on the line are able to direct you to your local crisis centers and community mental health resources. A simple Google search and consulting with the American Psychological Association can also get you the information you need. Additionally, the youth minister and Core Members must prepare by reviewing their standards and guidelines for Mandatory Reporting. The youth minister should check in with his or her pastor and diocesan liaison to gather and present this information to his or her Core Members. Notes: _ 4 THE ELEPHANT ON MY CHEST LIFE NIGHT 5

4 LIFE NIGHT: THE ELEPHANT ON MY CHEST GATHER Welcome and Opening Prayer (5 min) Gather the teens into the main meeting space. Welcome them to the Life Night and begin in prayer. Pile of Secrets (10 min) Instruct the teens to get into small groups. Pass out two note cards to every person in the group and ask them to write down one fact about themselves that other members in the group do not know. Encourage these to be fun and unique facts. Then, ask group members to write down one fact that is not true about themselves like, I once ate 11 packages of Ramen Noodles in one sitting. Hand the pile of notecards to one person in the group. He or she then picks a card from the top of the stack, reads it aloud, and has 30 seconds to decide if the card lists an actual fact about a group member or is made-up. If they believe it lists an actual fact, they must guess the person who the fact is about. PROCLAIM The Elephant on My Chest Teaching (15 min) The Proclaim Details can be found on pages 8 to 14. BREAK/SEND Mindfulness Exercise and Eucharistic Adoration (40 min) Instruct the teens to move into the church or chapel for the mindfulness activity and Eucharistic Adoration. Put on prayerful music. The Mindfulness Exercise and Eucharistic Adoration Leader Guide can be found online at LifeTeen.com. Holy Spirit Prayer Attributed to St. Augustine (5 min) Conclude by praying the Holy Spirit Prayer attributed to St. Augustine together. Display it on the projector so everyone can pray along. Holy Spirit Prayer - Attributed to St. Augustine Breathe into me, Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy. Move in me, Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy. Attract my heart, Holy Spirit, that I may love only what is holy. Strengthen me, Holy Spirit, that I may defend all that is holy. Protect me, Holy Spirit, that I may always be holy. Notes: 6 THE ELEPHANT ON MY CHEST LIFE NIGHT 7

5 KEY TERMS PROCLAIM DETAILS THE ELEPHANT ON MY CHEST Depression: A common but serious mood disorder. It causes severe symptoms that affect how a person feels, thinks, and handles daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working. To be diagnosed with depression, the symptoms must be present for at least two weeks. Anxiety: An emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts, and physical changes like increased blood pressure. People with anxiety disorders usually have recurring intrusive thoughts or concerns. They may avoid certain situations out of worry. Mindfulness: An awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, to the present moment. TEACHING THE ELEPHANT ON MY CHEST What if one of the secrets was, I have an elephant sitting on my chest right now. You probably wouldn t have thought it was true. However, the reality is, some people constantly feel the weight of an elephant sitting on their chest, and it s not pleasant. What would that feel like? Would you fight for every breath? Would you get dizzy, nervous, and concerned? And what if no one could see the elephant? Or imagine that as you are sitting here tonight, there is an inescapable feeling of sadness sitting deep within your heart? You don t know why it s there or what it s trying to tell Your eyes feel wet, and you re fighting off tears, but you can t think of a reason to be crying? Imagine sitting in this room with your friends and Core Members, feeling completely alone, unable to connect with anyone. For someone who experiences anxiety or depression, scenarios like these may be a part of their everyday life. According to the National Institute for Mental Health, one out of every five teenagers will experience depression before they reach adulthood. 25 percent of all teens are affected by anxiety at some point in their lives. Ten to 15 percent of teens will experience some symptoms of depression. While you may never encounter these issues in your life, statistics say you will know someone who does. SAMHSA s 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health Despite how common it is to experience anxiety and depression, it is still a topic some people are reluctant to talk about. This Life Night will bring some light to the darkness and answer the question, Where is Jesus in all of this? DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY DISORDERS Depression and anxiety are words that we often throw around, without really knowing how to define them. While we are all likely to feel a symptom or two of depression or anxiety in our lives, it is important to know that feeling sad or worried sometimes is not the same as experiencing depression or having an anxiety disorder. Clinical depression can present itself in many ways. Symptoms can last from a couple of weeks at a time, to months or years. They include a sad, low, or depressed mood, sleep disturbances, feelings of worthlessness, fatigue, loss of energy or interest in things you used to enjoy, changes in appetite or weight loss or gain, and sometimes thoughts of suicide. 8 THE ELEPHANT ON MY CHEST LIFE NIGHT 9

6 Anxiety is a disorder characterized by excessive nervousness, worry, apprehensiveness, or uneasiness. It is often accompanied by compulsive behavior or panic. There are many different kinds of anxiety disorders, from general anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and so on. These disorders are more than just reasonable worry or fear. They cause marked distress and interfere with daily living. Some symptoms are experienced in the mind; feelings of terror that strike out of the blue, overwhelming worry or self-consciousness, intrusive thoughts and obsessions. Other anxiety symptoms are experienced in the body; racing heartbeat, shortness of breath, cold or sweaty hands, muscle tension or dizziness, or nausea. In fact, the symptoms of a panic attack sometimes mimic those of a heart attack. It may be hard to tell the difference between passing sadness and worry or clinical depression or anxiety. One way we can differentiate would be with the passing of time. Have you been sad for a day, and then felt fine the rest of the week, or is this now week three of feeling sad? Is the worry you feel something that you can think about for a few minutes and move beyond, or have you been ruminating on those worrisome thoughts for hours without being able to get past them? Another place to look to know if what you re feeling is not the usual sadness or worry is your body. Is your energy level lower than usual? Have you been unable to sleep, or able to sleep forever, but still never feel rested? Has your appetite gone away, or do you find yourself unable to satisfy your appetite? Are you getting stomach aches and headaches, even muscle aches, for seemingly no reason? All of these are ways that the body reacts to anxiety or depression. WHAT TO DO? A lot of questions can come up when we realize that we or a friend may be struggling with depression or anxiety. A major one is, what can I do to help or get help? According to the Child Mind Institute Children s Mental Health Report, 80 percent of children, anyone under 18, with a diagnosable anxiety disorder and 60 percent of children with diagnosable depression are not getting treatment. Often, teens don t know how to advocate for themselves to get the help they need. Or they re afraid and ashamed of the stigma associated with mental health disorders, so they don t ask for help. struggling, speak to a parent or trusted adult; a teacher, a Core Member, a priest, a coach. These Suicide Prevention Lifeline ( ). Even if you re not having thoughts of health professionals available 24/7 to answer your call and talk to you They can even help you find places to go, or get on the phone with your parents to talk to them with Some local and state crisis lines even offer texting and online chat. They re a great place to go to start confronting this issue. When you or someone you love is battling a mental health issue, having resources, or organizations, people, and tools to help you, is really important. THE STIGMA Whether it s you or a friend going through hard times, it can be difficult to say something about it. Some people feel ashamed or guilty, like they shouldn t be feeling this way. The truth is, we can t help the way we feel, and it s okay to have these feelings. There is nothing wrong with It s not your fault. You did nothing to deserve it, and you are loved and worth getting the help and support you need. 10 THE ELEPHANT ON MY CHEST LIFE NIGHT 11

7 You know people who have battled or are battling anxiety and depression. You have coaches and teachers who have overcome it, or are being treated. You have friends who are hurting and dealing with mental illness. A major part of dispelling the stigma is overcoming our shame and talking to others about our struggles. We need to be better at letting our friends know that we are hear to listen and support them. We need to be better at letting our friends know if we need to talk. The more open we are as a community about fighting mental illness, the weaker that stigma grows. NOT YOUR IDENTITY Another important thing to remember about struggles like depression and anxiety is that they are not our identity. We naturally look for things to help define us or things that give us a sense of identity. Some of us identify as athletes or scholars, drama kids or marching band kids. Maybe we don t know exactly what should define us or who we are. You are not your anxiety or depression. They are not your identity, and they do not own or define You or a friend may have anxiety or depression, but you are not anxiety and depression, and you do not belong to any mental illness, you belong to Christ. Project Romans 8: Jesus is with us in our battle, and nothing can separate us from Him. Saint Paul in Romans declares, For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. There is no one that would like us to succumb to dread and despair more than the devil. While the enemy will try to tell us lies about how alone and unlovable we are, how terrible things will befall us, Christ is there beside us, telling us the truth and offering tools and resources to help us pull through. He is with us in the pain, the fear, and the sorrow, even when depression and anxiety tell us He s not. Psalm 23 tells us, Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. HOPE Psalm 23 Consider playing the Life Teen video East Benton Road instead of sharing the following story. Here s one story about a teen girl who struggled with clinical depression and anxiety. It manifested itself in all kinds of destructive behaviors; issues with self-image, chaotic relationships, and desperation in her faith life. This teen felt that no one would understand her feelings, she didn t even understand what was going on, and it lead to isolation, issues with parents, and a separation of herself from God. Eventually, through the amazing efforts of friends, this teen was able to seek the help she needed. She told her parents what was happening, and that day went for an emergency intake at a local hospital. It was terrifying; she had so many fears, and in those moments, she cried out to God for the grace to face her challenges. When she started finally talking to someone about what she had been experiencing, and learning to manage her symptoms in therapy, she was able to mend her relationships, develop self-esteem she had never known, and enter into an even deeper relationship with Jesus. Have Core Members pass out a notecard with the hotline information. If you think you may be struggling with anxiety and depression, reach out to someone during or after this Life Night. Talk to a Core Member or youth minister. Talk to your parents. If that s too much, call one of the hotlines. Even if you don t plan on calling a hotline, keep 12 THE ELEPHANT ON MY CHEST LIFE NIGHT 13

8 the notecard in case you meet someone who needs it. If you think you know someone who may be struggling with anxiety and depression, reach out to them and offer to work with them to get the help they need; speak with a trusted adult, call a hotline, etc. With Jesus, we can overcome all things. Philippians 4:13 tells us that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Jesus is with us in the fight for wellness, and no matter how we feel, He never abandons us. Notes: _ 14 THE ELEPHANT ON MY CHEST LIFE NIGHT 15

9 CORE TEAM OVERVIEW THE ELEPHANT ON MY CHEST: A Life Night on Depression and Anxiety Disorders GOAL: To help teens recognize the symptoms of depression and anxiety disorders and give them tools to help themselves and peers experiencing depression or anxiety. GATHER (15 MIN): Welcome and Prayer: Pile of Secrets: PROCLAIM (15 MIN): The Elephant on My Chest Teaching: BREAK/SEND (40 MIN): Mindfulness Exercise and Eucharistic Adoration : Notes: 16 THE ELEPHANT ON MY CHEST LIFE NIGHT 17

10 MINDFULNESS EXCERCISE AND EUCHARISTIC ADORATION LEADER GUIDE Move the teens into the church or chapel and then introduce the mindfulness activity using the following: If you have felt some of the symptoms we discussed tonight, whether a clinical disorder or everyday moods, I would like to invite you to take a deep breath. Give the teens a moment to take a few deep breaths. Science is finding that mindfulness, the focusing of your awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting your thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations, can be a powerful tool in the battle against depression and anxiety. Learning to breathe deeply and become aware of what s going on inside of you is one of the first steps you can take. Expose the Blessed Sacrament while leading the teens in saying, O Sacrament Most Holy, O Sacrament Divine, all praise and all thanksgiving, be every moment thine three times. Now, in the presence of our Lord, be aware of how you are sitting. Maybe you are used to sitting slumped over, holding your elbows in your lap, slouching your shoulders, or leaning way back? I want you to sit tall and strong as a mountain. Scripture uses the image of the mountain, over and over again, to describe something so powerful and strong that the only thing that can overcome it is the mighty God Himself. Pull your shoulders back and down, stretch your neck up high, and breathe that strength into your inmost being. Give the teens a moment to adjust their sitting position and breathe deeply. Psalm 36:6 Pay attention to your breath. Have you ever stopped everything you were doing to focus solely on your breathing? Human beings breathe on average 26,000 breaths a day. However, an entire week could go by without every paying attention to a single breath. Breathe into your stomach. In through your nose, out through your mouth. Breathe slowly. Breathe deeply. And continue to breathe like that - paying close attention to every single breath you breathe. Give the teens a moment to breathe deeply. Your breath is one of your greatest powers. In fact, your breath is one of the most basic ways you can connect to Jesus. With every breath, you can let God in. The Spirit of God has made you; the breath of the Almighty has given you life. Job 33:4 The Elephant on My Chest

11 Give the teens a moment to breathe deeply and focus on their breathing. In the second chapter of Genesis, we are told, Then the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. Our first interaction with God, that very first moment of connection to Him, was when He breathed life into Adam. And since that very first breath, man has continued breathing. Our very breath connects us to God. Genesis 2:7 In the Gospel of John, after Jesus had died, His disciples were scared, confused, and in hiding. Emotions that we all experience at one time or another, if not every single day. Jesus then appears to them and breathes on them. In that breath, the disciples were given the strength to go out into the world - despite danger and adversity. The breath of the Lord is powerful. It brings life, it casts out fear, and it is the same breath that you are breathing right now. Give the teens a moment to breathe deeply and focus on their breathing. John 20:21-22 At this moment, the breath of God is flowing through And as you breathe in and breathe out, you may find thoughts come and go from your mind. They may be negative. They may be questions. Acknowledge whatever thoughts come to your mind, allow them to pass, and return your focus to your breathing. Give the teens a moment to breathe deeply and focus on their breathing. When you feel nervous, anxious, afraid, or sad, remember this activity and take the time to breathe. Remember that breath connects us to God. Conclude by praying the Holy Spirit Prayer attributed to St. Augustine together. Display it on the projector so everyone can pray along and guide the teens in praying it aloud. HOLY SPIRIT PRAYER Breathe into me, Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy. Move in me, Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy. Attract my heart, Holy Spirit, that I may love only what is holy. Strengthen me, Holy Spirit, that I may defend all that is holy. Protect me, Holy Spirit, that I may always be holy. Attributed to St. Augustine The Elephant on My Chest

12 THE NATIONAL SUICIDE or any other mental illness, speak if you re not having thoughts of to answer your call and talk to you NATIONAL SUICIDE : THE NATIONAL SUICIDE or any other mental illness, speak if you re not having thoughts of to answer your call and talk to you NATIONAL SUICIDE : The Elephant of My Chest

13 THE NATIONAL SUICIDE THE NATIONAL SUICIDE THE NATIONAL SUICIDE THE NATIONAL SUICIDE THE ELEPHANT ON MY CHEST LIFE NIGHT THE NATIONAL SUICIDE THE NATIONAL SUICIDE THE NATIONAL SUICIDE THE NATIONAL SUICIDE

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