Upon completion, students will have a better understanding of depression and how it relates to their own lives. Begin with a brief discussion about depression. Give an example you might have in your lifetime when you felt depressed. The more symptoms of depression and the length of time you experience it will all help determine where it would be on the continuum. The closer you get to the right end, the more important it is to get help.
Clinical depression needs professional help.
Put students in small groups of 3-5 and have one person be the recorder. Brainstorm events or periods of time when the students have felt depressed. It can be their own experiences or those of others. List them on the board when completed. Limit this to 5-8 minutes.