f the child and affect the physical status. There are many kinds of emotional or behavioral disorders. One of the most prevalent disorders is depression. Depression and suicide affect many children and is manifested in many different ways. About twenty-five percent of adolescents consider committing suicide. Many of these attempts are becoming more successful because of the availability of guns. With depressed students, there are many warning signs which should not be ignored. The depressed child exhibits overwhelming sadness, apathy, and hopelessness. There is a decrease in interest and enjoyment in everyday pleasurable activities. The depressed child may also show a change in appetite, weight, sleep pattern, or energy level. A teacher must be aware of these changes and be alert and prepared to take action. A depressed child has difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decision. They often exhibit anger, rage, and overreaction to criticism. Finally, a child afflicted with depression will show a dramatic change in school performance characterized by a drop in grades and an increase in inappropriate behaviors. When identifying depressed children, the warning signs are illustrated in the above stated, but are not limited to these signs. A teacher must be aware of these symptoms and be prepared to take action. This may entail collaboration with psychologists, parents, co-workers, or mental health professionals. Diagnosis is fairly difficult to make alone as a teacher, therefore collaboration is the suggested method for diagnosis. To determine whether the behavior is due to an emotional or behavioral disorder, one must be aware of the underlying cause of the disruption. The teacher needs to clarify what kinds of behavior are causing concern. Then, the teacher needs to specify what is wrong with the behavior. Finally, a plan of action must be put into play. Once the problem is detected, it is a collaborative ef...
