SUICIDE IS PREVENTABLE, AND ‘EVERYBODY’S BUSINESS’

“Suicide is very, very complex,” said Itasca County Public Health Division Manager Kelly Chandler during a presentation to the Itasca County Board of Commissioners. On Tuesday, Oct. 23, Chandler provided the board with an exploration of suicide in Itasca County.

Tuesday’s presentation helped identify patterns in suicides, “with the goal of providing some upstream preventative work and early identification and treatment approaches to persons contemplating suicide or struggling with mental health in general,” said Chandler.

“There usually is not one single event that causes a suicide, and no single path leads someone to that place,” she explained. However, there can be some patterns or series of events that contribute to someone contemplating and completing a suicide.

“We often hear this narrative surrounding bullying, for example,” said Chandler. “Can bullying be a contributing factor? Yes, absolutely. Especially if the victim feels like they can’t escape what’s happening to them or they don’t feel like they’re receiving the help they need.” more

Five ways to enhance your mood and mental health

When someone is diagnosed with a mental health disorder such as depression or anxiety, first-line treatments usually include psychological therapies and medication. What’s not always discussed are the changeable lifestyle factors that influence our mental health.

Even those who don’t have a mental health condition may still be looking for ways to further improve their mood, reduce stress, and manage their day-to-day mental health.

It can be empowering to make positive life changes. While time restrictions and financial limitations may affect some people’s ability to make such changes, we all have the ability to make small meaningful changes.

Here are five lifestyle changes to get you started: more

Sleep, Gender, and Mental Health

Differences in how men and women sleep could explain differences in the neuropsychiatric illnesses they develop, and potentially influence treatment, explained Ruth Benca, MD, PhD, professor and chair of psychiatry and human behavior at the University of California Irvine, at a conference on sleep hosted by the National Institutes of Health.

If a patient presents with a sleeping problem, there’s a strong chance he or she has a psychiatric disorder as well, Benca said at the 2018 Research Conference on Sleep and the Health of Women on Tuesday.

Epidemiological evidence shows certain neurological or neuropsychiatric disorders are more common among men than women. For example schizophrenia is more common in men and Alzheimer’s disease is more common in women, Benca said. more

Heather Locklear Posts About Addiction and Recovery While Mourning a Friend: ‘Addiction Is Ferocious’

Heather Locklear shared a message about recovery as she paid tribute to a friend who seemingly lost his battle with addiction.

“Addiction is ferocious and will try to take you down. Recovery is the best revenge,” the 56-year-old Melrose Place alum wrote on Wednesday, September 19, via Instagram. “Be kind to everyone you meet, your light just might change their path.”

She added: “Rest in Peace Beautiful Josh. You touched my [heart].” more

This Is Why Every Day Should Be World Mental Health Day

Conversations about mental health are too few and far between at work. No surprise there. They can be awkward and often feel like an overshare. Just talking about talking about mental health can make some people anxious. But you have to start somewhere. The numbers of people affected by poor mental health are growing too fast, and they are too serious to ignore. The truth is that World Mental Health Day, which I completely applaud, should be every darn day.

To make a dent in the most difficult issues—chronic depression, suicide, anxiety, and addiction—employers need to create as many opportunities as possible to learn more about the serious issues facing our workforce and their families. But how can you get people’s attention when there’s so much information and so little time? By sharing amazing stories that will bring to light the issues facing one in four Americans right now….and who very well may be sitting at the desk next to you: more

Personal Stories

Personal stories highlight the experiences of people just like you. You’ll find stories from people who experience mental health or substance use problems, people who support a loved one, and people who work in mental health or substance use fields. They share their own experiences and perspectives, and describe their personal journeys to understanding, health and well-being.

Personal stories highlight hope and well-being, not treatment advice. Check out the Self-Help Resources section of this site for info sheet and workbooks, and talk to your doctor or health care provider to discuss treatment options that might be a good fit for you. more

Young people and mental health: blogs and stories

Soon I concluded that for me to get better, my friends and teachers needed to know what I was going through. Fortunately I was on good terms with my form tutor who appeared sensitive and understanding. Indeed, this proved to be the case when one day I stayed behind to discuss the problems that I had been having. (Matt)
Depression: “I am a stronger person… because I talked about it”

How can I help?

The aim of the Time to Change campaign is to encourage us all to be more open about our mental health, and to start conversations with those who might need our support.

Why not find out how you could start a conversation about mental health? more

One Patient’s Mission to Shatter Psych Ward Stigmas

A range of treatments, including inpatient stays, helped a young woman regain control of her life. By sharing her experience, she hopes to reach others in need.

When you hear the term “psych ward,” what first comes to mind?

Even if you’re pretty open-minded, you probably don’t picture me. I’m a composed young woman with perky, brown curls for days. I’m soft-spoken and you wouldn’t pick me out from a crowd. more

My Recovery Story

At school the other children laughed and played during recess while I watched from the shadows. When the other children raised their hands to answer the teacher’s questions, I held my breath trying to be invisible terrified I might be called on to speak out loud. I hated school. I couldn’t seem to make sense out of the math and grammar. I couldn’t focus enough to hear or remember anything even for a few minutes. When the teacher explained things all I seemed to hear was a dull senseless drone. The writing and diagrams on the blackboard just made my head swim. I didn’t get it and I felt stupid.

I don’t remember exactly how, but when I was in my early teens I discovered that I could get a buzz by sniffing gasoline. For a few magical minutes I escaped the constant pain and turmoil that was in my mind. From that day on my life was wrapped up in seeking even greater escapes. Within the next couple of years I discovered, glue, alcohol, drugs, food, sex, and just about every other means to moderate and control my feelings and thoughts. By the time I was 16, I was a seasoned drug user who was drunk and stoned on some substance or other nearly every day. more

True Story: April

Addiction has been a part of my family for as long as I can remember. It affected my life before I even had a choice. My sister was addicted, my mother was addicted…the list goes on and on. My parents got divorced when I was 12; around then is when I started using. I dropped acid, drank alcohol, and smoked a lot of pot. It wasn’t total dependency yet, but I was dabbling. I gave birth to my daughter Jessica when I was 19; the love for her is what motivated me to get my life together. more