SUICIDE PREVENTION

SHEDDING LIGHT ON MENTAL ILLNESS

In Virginia, we lose two adults every day, one older adult every three days, and one teenager a week to suicide. Early recognition of the warning signs of suicide, and active intervention and referral to those who can help are the keys to suicide prevention.

*** TIPS***

Depression is a biochemical imbalance in the brain that affects how people think and how they behave. Certain signs may indicate depression:

- Low self-esteem-----anger management problems
- Irritability-----Getting into trouble with the law
- Increased physical health problems
- Abusing alcohol or drugs
- Threatening suicide or homicide
- Significant change in appetite or weight
- Feelings of worthlessness or excess guilt
- Fatigue or loss of energy
- Recurrent thoughts of suicide

WHAT ACTION TO TAKE:

- If you think a person is at risk for depression or suicide, the next step is to actively intervene and
refer the person to proper help.
- Take immediate and sufficient steps to ensure safety, including eliminating access to firearms.
- Engage in individual, family, or group therapy.
- Enlist family and community support.
- Do not hesitate to involve mental health professionals trained to recognize and treat depression and related disorders.

If you, or someone you know, are having thoughts of suicide please call the national suicide hotline:

1-800-273-TALK or contact a friend or loved one who will come immediately to stay with you until you are able to get help. In many cases these helpers will make the necessary calls for you.

If you live with ongoing mental illness, keep a list of emergency numbers by your phone—these would include the suicide hotline number, your therapists name and number and the number for your nearest ER. It is also helpful to keep these numbers on an index card in your wallet.

HEAT AND MENTAL ILLNESS

When the mercury rises it brings the risk of a potentially fatal illness: heat stroke. Did you know that mental illness and some medications used to treat mental disorders actually increase the risk for heat stroke?

Heat stroke occurs when the body is unable to properly cool itself. Normally, the body will regulate temperature by sweating, but heat stroke impairs the body’s ability to do this. If heat stroke is not treated immediately, it can cause permanent disability, even death.

Disturbingly, individuals with mental illness may be particularly susceptible to it. Certain medications, including anti-psychotics and anti-cholinergics, are known to raise the risk for heat stroke because they inhibit the body’s ability to regulate its temperature. Additionally, people with mental illnesses who live in low-income housing without air conditioning are also at an increased risk for heat stroke. This combination is dangerous; during a 1999 heat wave in Cincinnati, Ohio, almost half of the 18 related deaths were individuals with a mental disorder.

To help protect yourself or a loved one from the dangers of heat stroke, read and put into effect the following lists.

DO: Educate yourself about the symptoms of heat stroke such as:
** An extremely high body temperature (above 103 degrees F.)
** Red, hot and dry skin (no sweating)
** Rapid, strong pulse
** Dizziness
** Nausea
** Confusion
** Unconsciousness

Stay indoors and use air conditioning if possible. If your home does not have A/C, go to a place that does such as a mall or public library. Also call your local health-department to see if there are any heat-relief shelters nearby.

Drink more fluids and don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink. Also, adjust your diet and include cold foods that are rich in water, such as fruit and salads.

Wear lightweight, light-colored and loose-fitting clothing.

Monitor loved ones and neighbors during a heat wave for signs of stroke.

Immediately seek medical attention if someone shows signs and symptoms of heat stroke.

DON’T:

Exercise vigorously outdoors. If you have to be outdoors, drink plenty of fluids frequently and sit in a shaded area. Limit your activity to early morning or evening hours.

Drink liquids that contain caffeine, alcohol, or large amounts of sugar—these can cause you to lose more body fluids.

Depend on electric fans to cool you once the temperatures hit the high 90’s. A cool shower or bath or going to an air-conditioned location is a much safer way to cool off.

NEVER leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle!

YOU AND YOUR DOCTOR

TEN TIPS FOR A DOCTOR VISIT

The time with the doctors is valuable and to help make it more organized and use the time more effectively, the following list is to use before the scheduled visit.

1. Take a notepad and pencil with you to jot down important information the doctor might give you.

2. You may find it helpful to take someone else with you when you go for your visit, especially if your symptoms are acute. The other person can help remind you of what you need to ask and can also take notes for you.

3. List any symptoms or side effects that you have experienced since the last visit. This will help the doctor to determine if your present treatment is working well, or not.

4. Ask your doctor if any of the newer treatments for your condition would be suitable for you. This is especially important if you have had side effects with other treatments.

5. Ask your doctor for information pamphlets about your medications.

6. Many people feel talk therapy is beneficial - ask your doctor if he thinks this would be helpful for you.

7. Ask if there are support groups in your area for you, your family and friends.

8. Don't forget about your physical health - for example, have your blood pressure and weight checked frequently.

9. Decide the three concerns most important to discuss with the doctor.

10. Write down any questions about the concerns you want to ask the doctor.

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION ABOUT DEPRESSION

-- IS DEPRESSION A MENTAL ILLNESS?
Depression is a serious, but treatable, mental illness. it is a medical problem, not a personal weakness. Depression is also very common, affecting 10% of America's population at any given time. Everyone at one point or another feels sadness as a reaction to grief, loss, etc., but major depressive disorder is a serious medical disorder which requires professional diagnosis and treatment.

--DO CHILDREN GET DEPRESSION?
Yes. Children are affected by the same factors which cause depression in adults. These can include: life events, heredity, environment and chemical disturbance in the brain. Depression in children differs from "normal" and the everyday emotions that children experience. Children who are depressed show persistent change in their behavior that disrupts their relationships with friends, schoolwork, family life and hobbies.

--CAN A LACK OF SLEEP CAUSE DEPRESSION?
No. A lack of sleep which results from some other medical illness or the presence of personal problems can intensify depression. A CHRONIC inability to sleep can be an important clue that someone might be depressed.

--WILL SOMEONE WHO HAS HAD DEPRESSION GET IT AGAIN?
Having one episode of depression increases the risk of having another episode. Depression is an illness which affects people over many years, and requires long periods of treatment. Some people may seem to recover but then relapse. Treatment can prevent this from happening. HOWEVER, this means that sometimes a person may feel well, but still needs to take medication to prevent symptoms from reappearing.

IF YOU, A LOVED ONE, OR A FRIEND ARE EXPERIENCING SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION, GET PROFESSIONAL HELP IMMEDIATELY. FOR SPIRITUAL SUPPORT, ONE ON ONE ADVOCACY, AND REFERRALS TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES, PLEASE CALL THE HIDDEN DISABILITIES MINISTRY AT 547-4692 OR 421-2597 AND ASK FOR MARYLOU. THERE IS HELP AND GUIDANCE TO HELP NAVIGATE THROUGH THE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM. YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO IT ALONE!

IN CHRIST,
MARYLOU