With students supporting each other and a creative educational program, Ellis Middle School is trying to recognize and treat depression in students before it has a chance to get serious.

In recognition of Depression Awareness Month, a group of students put together an educational program including facts about warning signs and what to do if someone appears to be suffering from depression.

Members of Code Yellow, a student group focused on learning and teaching about issues surrounding depression, put on the programs three days this week, hitting each grade level in the school. Code Yellow students learn the material through a training organization called Depression Awareness and Wellness Network.

The students share some basic facts on depression and suicide, a viewing of the video "Carl," which is about a high school boy who is relentlessly teased and eventually commits suicide, and a play written by the students about a girl and the effects on her life that depression creates.

Lea Oelfke, a counselor at Ellis, said many students don't realized how serious depression is. She said educating students about depression is important because a lot of students think they can help a depressed friend by simply talking to them.

"What they need to understand is that treating depression is much more than consoling someone to make them feel better," she said.

Students are encouraged to contact appropriate adults when they suspect a friend or classmate may be depressed. Members of Code Yellow provide peer counseling support for students that are open to it.

After only one performance of the program, Oelfke said a number of students had come to her with concerns for friends or to get help for themselves.

Once Oelfke becomes aware of a student with depression, she speaks with the child and the parents and most of time refers that student to a counselor outside the school. She said often by the time she hears about a depressed or suicidal student, it has been going on for six months or a year.

"We're trying to make that gap smaller between the first time a student says they're going to hurt themselves to the time they get help," she said.

Eighth-grader Tracy Flatt said working on the program has changed the way he looks at others. He said he is a lot more careful about what he says to other students.

Flatt said the way the program is designed makes it an effective tool for passing on these important messages.

"We get the point across in two ways, with the video and the play," he said.

Matt Merritt can be reached at 434-2214 or by e-mail at :mailto:matt.merritt@austindailyherald.com