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

DEPRESSION: PART II

* THIS IS THE SECOND IN A SERIES OF INFORMATION ARTICLES

What is Depression?

A formal definition might read like this: Depression is an adjustment reaction to a life event; a mild long-standing state of sadness; or deep despair that makes it hard to function from day-to-day.

Depression is an illness, just like diabetes or heart disease. Depression is an illness that affects the entire body, not just the mind. Depression is an illness that one in five people will suffer from during their lifetime. Depression is the leading cause of alcoholism, drug abuse, and other addictions. Depression is an equal-opportunity illness - it affects all ages, both genders, all races and economic groups (However, women suffer from depression almost twice as much as men do).

Untreated depression is the number one cause of suicide.

What Depression is Not:

Depression is not something to be ashamed of. Depression is not the same thing as feeling "blue" or "down". Depression is not a character flaw or the sign of a weak personality. Depression is not a "mood" someone can just snap out of (we wouldn't ask someone who has diabetes to "snap out of it").

Some thoughts about how depression may feel (note: these are not "clinical" symptoms):

- You're having trouble making simple decisions
- Things seem to be "off" or "wrong"
- Getting up in the morning takes a great deal of effort
- You don't feel hopeful or happy about anything in your life
- You can't seem to carry on a normal conversation because you're having difficulty expressing yourself
- You're crying a lot, at things that are normally insignificant or at nothing at all
- You're anxious and worried a lot
- Your senses seem dulled; food tastes bland or you don't have an appetite, music doesn't seem to affect you, and you don't feel joy in your surroundings
- You have recurring thoughts of death and/or suicide. Suicide seems like a welcome relief

Clinical Symptoms of Depression:

- Losing interest or pleasure in most activities
- Feeling anxious or irritable
- Feeling miserable, sad, or very irritable almost every day
- Having trouble concentrating or remembering
- Feeling tired, sleeping too much or too little
- Thinking of death or suicide
- Having medically unexplained aches and pains

Can I ask if someone is suicidal?

Most people are afraid to ask if someone is contemplating suicide for fear that it might upset the person or put thoughts in their head. You CANNOT cause someone to commit suicide! If at any time your depressed family member or friend is occupied with thoughts of suicide or death, call their doctor or therapist right away. Always take this kind of talk seriously. If any of the following sings are apparent, get help immediately.

Signs of suicide:

- Talking about hopelessness and worthlessness
- Suddenly becoming happier and calmer during a depressive episode
- Making unusual visits or calling people one cares about
- Making arrangements or getting one's affairs in order
- Giving things away

Take the person to the local emergency room or call 911.

DEPRESSION

* THIS IS THE FIRST IN A SERIES OF INFORMATION ARTICLES

Depression is one of the most widely known of the mental illnesses. More than 19 million Americans a year suffer from a depressive illness. Depressive illnesses often interfere with normal functioning and serious depression can destroy family life as well as the life of the person who is ill. Thankfully there is help and hope available. It IS a treatable illness!

WHAT IS DEPRESSION ?

Depression is a medical condition that affects people of all genders, races, ages, and income levels. People who are depressed feel more than sadness or “the blues.” They feel hopeless and suffer deep emotional pain for prolonged periods. Depression can cause dysfunction in every aspect of one’s life.

TYPES OF DEPRESSION

Depressive disorders come in different forms, just like heart disease.

- MAJOR DEPRESSION: presents itself by a combination of symptoms that interfere with the ability to work, sleep, eat, study, or enjoy activities that were once a pleasure. A disabling episode might occur once, but more commonly appears several times in a life span.

- DYSTHYMIA: is a chronic, unremitting depression and is less severe. However, it does keep a person from feeling good and functioning well. Many people with this form generally experience at least one major depressive episode during their lifespan.

- BIPOLAR DISORDER: sometimes referred to as manic-depression. It is a series of cycling mood changes which include elated or irritable moods and increased energy. Mania affects thinking, social behavior and judgement in ways that cause serious problems. Mania left untreated can worsen to a psychotic state.

Major depression is more prevalent among women. One-in-four women and one-in-eight men will experience the condition at some point in their lives. Many factors can cause depression, including biochemistry (a chemical imbalance of mood regulation in the brain), genetics, family history, substance abuse, and an illness or other difficult life event.

PERSONAL NOTE: The subject of mental illness makes some people uncomfortable. People who don’t understand mental illnesses such as depression might mistakenly think the person affected by this mood disorder can simply “snap out of it.” Keep in mind that people who are depressed don’t choose to be that way. Depression is a medical illness, not a personal short-coming or character defect.


THE HIDDEN DISABILITIES MINISTRY of Apostles Lutheran Church provides spiritual support and advocacy to individuals, their families and friends, with depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and other mental illnesses. Please contact MaryLou for information, personal advocacy, or community resource references at 547-4692 to leave a message or 421-2597.

ALL CALLS ARE CONFIDENTIAL.

Just What Does Crazy Mean Anyway?

Stigma, Myths, and Facts about Mental Illness

Stigma is not just a matter of using the wrong word or action. Stigma is disrespect. It is the use of negative labels to identify a person living with mental illness. Stigma is a barrier. Fear of stigma and the resulting discrimination discourages individuals and their families from getting the help they need. Arising from superstition, lack of knowledge and empathy, old belief systems, and a tendency to fear and exclude people who are perceived as different, stigma and discrimination have existed throughout history. The word stigma comes from the ancient Greek. It means to mark someone—probably in those times with a tattoo or a brand. In that society “madness” was viewed as a source of shame and afflicted persons were shunned, locked up and on some occasions put to death. Medical specialists of ancient Greece thought mental illnesses were caused by an imbalance of the body’s fluids.

In 17th century American society the predominate Christian belief was that “madness” was a punishment from God. Mentally ill people were confined—chained, humiliated, and abused—and left in squalid institutions and jails for their entire lives. For many centuries, mental illnesses were thought to be caused by sinfulness or being possessed by demons. It was thought the victims were being punished by God for misbehavior or being disruptive. The common belief was that “these people” (sinners) should be shunned until they repented or died.

Pennsylvania Hospital was one of the first general hospitals in Colonial America to admit “lunatics.” In spite of a hospital setting abuse of the mentally ill continued—among other degrading acts, the public was allowed to come on weekends and view the “luny’s” for a small fee! Friends Hospital was the first hospital to provide moral treatment to mentally ill patients, which it still does today. With this kind of history it’s no wonder there is so much prejudice and stigma directed to people living with mental illness. Our attitudes much change and be replaced with kindness, empathy, and inclusion. Jesus tells us in Matthew “just as you did it to one of the least of those who are members of my family, you did it to me.”

MYTHS AND FACTS ABOUT MENTAL ILLNESS
Often people are afraid to talk about mental health because there are so many misconceptions about the subject. It’s important to learn the facts to stop discrimination and to begin treating people with mental illness with respect and dignity.

COMMON MYTHS AND FACTS

MYTH: There is no hope for the mentally ill.
FACT: Today there are available numerous treatments, medications, and community supports than ever before for help and support.

MYTH: People with mental illnesses are violent and unpredictable.
FACT: People with mental illness aren’t anymore violent than the general public and because of their vulnerability they tend to be the victim rather than the perpetrator. You probably know someone with a mental illness and don’t even realize it. The media, unfortunately, has shed a negative light on the mentally ill by portraying them as psychotic killers.

MYTH: Mental illness is the same as mental retardation.
FACT: The two are distinct disorders. A mental retardation diagnosis is characterized by limitations in intellectual functioning and difficulties with certain living skills. As a contrast those who have mental illnesses—conditions which cause changes in a person’s thinking, mood and behavior—have varied intellectual functioning, just like the general population.

MYTH: Children don’t experience mental illness. Their actions are the product of bad parenting.
FACT: In any given year 5-9 percent of children experience serious emotional disturbances. They are just as susceptible as adults to clinically diagnosable conditions which result from biological, psychological and even genetic factors.

PERSONAL NOTE: People with psychiatric disabilities need to know they are not alone and that others with the same kind of diagnosis have recovered their hopes and their lives. They need to know they can recover their identity as people. Better understanding of the nature of mental illness will reduce the destructive effects of stigma at every level. The challenge to church communities is to accept, include, value, love and equip the mentally ill for lives in the community.

If you have a brain you can have a mental illness. RESPECT, DON’T REJECT!

Hidden Disabilities ministry seeks to create an environment of acceptance and understanding for people with mental illness and their families. Please call MaryLou Taylor @ (757) 421-2597 or (757) 547-4692 for information about the HDLM and it’s resources.