Depression and Suicide Awareness
September was National Suicide Awareness Month, so I thought it would be important to touch on a very real condition that takes many lives every day. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, “more than 41,000 individuals die by suicide each year.” What we often don’t think about is that the majority of these individuals are suffering from emotional, psychological and/or physical pain…and their pain is real. “Depression is the leading cause of disability in the U.S” and when left untreated, a major cause for suicide (ADAA, 2018). But why is it such a debilitating and dangerous condition? There are many answers to this question, but here’s what I think and what research has also shown: depression shows up in different ways, with both physical and psychological symptoms, and so it can go unrecognized, undiagnosed, and untreated. Also, there is still so much stigma around mental health and this prevents many people from seeking help. I’m here to tell you, that there is no shame in having this condition and that it’s ok to ask for help. It’s OK to NOT be OK. By removing the stigma and being able to recognize the signs and symptoms of depression, we can potentially save many lives. Here are some of the signs and symptoms of depression: o Feeling sad, empty, hopeless, crying, or being irritable (in kids and teens, they tend to have irritable mood) most days o Losing interest or pleasure in all or most activities you used to enjoy o Feelings of worthlessness or excessive feelings of guilt o Difficulty concentrating, making decisions and/or completing tasks o Thinking about dying or suiciding, or coming up with a specific plan to end your life o Loss of appetite or eating more than usual o Weight loss or gain that happens quickly o Feeling fatigued and tired almost every day o Difficulty sleeping, either having insomnia or sleeping too much If you or someone you know is experiencing some of these symptoms, it is important to get help early in order to prevent symptoms from getting worse. How to get help? o Seek help from a professional:- this can be your primary doctor, a therapist, social worker, or a psychiatrist.
