Actor Jim Carrey, author J.K. Rowling of Harry Potter fame, and Kevin Welsh, a local health consultant, all know what it's like to struggle with untreated depression. And they know the importance of getting help.

Welsh isn't as famous as Carrey and Rowling, but he believes that what he is doing - talking with young people about depression and suicide - is vitally important. "Knowing that I may save some lives is the best reward for doing this work," he said. "Experiencing depression myself helped me find my purpose in life."

Welsh is a speaker for the national suicide prevention organization known as SAVE - Suicide Awareness Voices of Education. He and other SAVE experts spoke recently with students and staff at some of the district's secondary schools to make them aware of the symptoms of depression and the warning signs of suicide.

The state provided the district with an extra $10,000 in its Safe and Drug Free Schools grant to fund the initial education effort when after district was included in an area identified as experiencing higher than normal number of suicides and attempts among adults and youth. In addition, the district is seeking federal funds to provide additional training opportunities.

Several Anoka-Hennepin students and two parents of students committed suicide this year. District officials are aware of another two dozen or so students who were hospitalized because of suicide threats or attempts.

"This is a serious problem and we are taking it seriously," said Superintendent Dennis Carlson. "We are educating our students and our staff and providing information for our parents in an effort to prevent more suicides."

Depression often begins in the middle or high school years. It can easily be overlooked by parents who assume the symptoms they see in their children are just part of being a teenager.

Welsh told students he was generally happy and felt loved by his family as a kid until some time in middle school when suddenly things changed. "I began to feel unhappy and so weird that I felt no one could possibly like me. I felt worthless and wondered if I was going crazy," he said. He covered it by becoming the class clown and pretending to be happy.

Welsh lived 27 years with untreated depression until he finally got help. His problem was major depression, which is a medical illness caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. "It needed to be treated, just like other medical illnesses," he said. There is also situational depression, which is triggered by a stress such as loss of a loved one, a major life change, or an accident.

Often people do not receive treatment because of the stigma associated with depression or any mental illness, but today more and more prominent people, including Carrey and Rowling, are speaking about their struggles with depression in hopes of helping people realize that it is a common problem and that help is available and effective.

"It is no big deal. About one in four people will have major depression at some time in their lives. Treatment is very effective," Welsh said. However, left untreated it can be a big deal. Depression not only causes misery, but also can lead to drug and alcohol abuse and suicide, according to Welsh. He said suicide is a permanent end to a temporary problem.

Welsh told students they could reduce their risk of depression with habits that keep their brains healthy, such as regular exercise, proper nutrition and adequate sleep. He described the symptoms of depression and suicide (see Symptoms below) and urged them to seek help if they feel depressed or think a friend or family member might be depressed. He suggested they talk with any adult whom they trust, such as a teacher, counselor, parent, priest or minister, or doctor.

He reminded students that their new knowledge about depression and suicide could help them save a life. More information about suicide and depression is available on the district Web site at: www.anoka.k12.mn.us/prevention. Or call SAVE at 1-888-511-7283.

Symptoms of depression in young people*

• Feeling sad, empty or numb.
• Sleeping a lot or having trouble sleeping.
• Feeling tired all the time; repeatedly falling asleep in class.
• Feeling hopeless, helpless, worthless or guilty.
• Feeling angry or moody, crying easily, chronic worrying or experiencing panic attacks.
• Avoiding friends; feeling alone even when with friends.
• Loss of interest in things that used to be fun.
• Difficulty concentrating, doing schoolwork, remembering things or making decisions.
• Eating disturbances, like eating more or less than usual or throwing up.
• Recurring headaches, backaches or stomach aches.
• Alcohol or drug use to escape or mask feelings.
• Talking about, planning or attempting suicide.

Warning signs of teen suicide*

• Talking, reading or writing about suicide or death.
• Talking about feeling worthless or helpless.
• Saying things like: "I'm going to kill myself," "I wish I were dead," or "I shouldn't have been born."
• Visiting or calling people to say goodbye.
• Giving things away; returning borrowed items.
• Organizing or cleaning bedroom "for the last time."
• Self-destructive behavior like self-cutting.
• Being obsessed with guns or knives.
• Previous suicidal thoughts or attempts.

*Used with permission from SAVE: www.SAVE.org. In crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255.