Desperate Measures

“Suicide by cop” is a phrase that popped up in the news recently and is one that conjures up disturbing images.

It is a term used to describe a scenario in which a would-be suicide intentionally behaves in a threatening manner so as to provoke responding law enforcement personnel to use deadly force.

Police officers are trained to respond in a measured way to each situation they encounter. That response escalates as the threat escalates with deadly force being the final option.

A would-be suicide who has recognized that they are unable to take their own life will force a confrontation with the police and then escalate the situation until either the officer or bystander is threatened and deadly force is the only response remaining.

Suicide is the 11^th leading cause of death, claiming more than 30,000 Americans each year.

The average number of suicides in Licking County is 15 per 100,000 people per year. In just 8 months, there have been 18 suicides, 3 more than the 12 month average. A recent event, the car chase, has motivated me to write an article about suicide, and what can be done about it.

It is important that people know what can lead to suicide, why people see suicide as their only option, and what resources are available to those who may be having suicidal thoughts. Suicide is often a preventable situation, if people learn the warning signs to recognize.

The most common warning signs are:

• Withdrawing from friends, family, and/or society.
• Changes in sleep patterns; sleeping too much or too little.
• Acting recklessly or engaging in high risk behaviors (driving dangerously, doing “stunts”, disregarding own personal safety).
• An increase in drug and/or alcohol use.
• Talking and/or writing about death or suicide.
• Seeking access to firearms, medications, or other suicide means
• Saying things like “I can’t go on anymore” or “Everyone would be better off without me” or “I wish I was dead”
• Experiencing feelings of hopelessness, emptiness, or purposelessness.
• Anxiousness, irritability, or moodiness.
• Reading or writing about death or suicide.
• Suddenly happier or calmer.
• Giving away possessions or saying good-byes.
• Making arrangements or setting affairs in order.

People having suicidal thoughts do not want to die; they want an end to the pain and suffering that they are experiencing. They do not realize that suicide is a permanent end to a temporary problem. If they get the help they need while they are having these thoughts they realize they really don’t want to die.

The number one reason that people complete suicide is that they have an untreated mental illness such as depression. Other common reasons include: the death of a loved one, a breakup of a relationship, losing custody of children, or feeling that a child custody decision is not fair, serious loss, terminal illness, accident, physical or emotional pain, physical, verbal, or sexual abuse, legal problems, alcohol or drug abuse .

It is important that people who are experiencing suicidal thoughts understand that there are alternative responses other than suicide.

Some things people can do instead are: take a deep breath and try to identify feelings, write down all of the feelings as a record for later, try and do things that help them feel better for at least 30 minutes, write down individual negative thoughts and provide an alternative response that changes the perspective, and most importantly talk to someone.

Talking to someone helps communicate what you are feeling to someone that can help them. There are several resources that people can call, as well as visit on the internet. Locally, the local crisis line 211 or 345-HELP is the best resource to call if someone is experiencing suicidal thoughts. There are several national hotlines including 1-800-999-9999.

--Ashley Shaw

Suicide Prevention Coordinator

Thumb Crack

For me, the word “Facebook” conjures images of books of mug shots at the police station or high school yearbooks. No one looks good there.

I‘ve watched too many Lifetime Channel movies in which someone like Kimberly Williams or Valerie Bertinelli harmlessly post a photo online and they have their identity stolen, or become a victim of stalking, or some other horrible thing happens to them or someone they love (almost certainly to their beloved pet).

I’m not a luddite. I like my privacy. My friends don’t even have my cell phone number. And I never twitter or tweet.

So, when one of my dearest friends, who lives three states away, sent me one of those automated pleas to join Facebook so we could be “Facebook Friends,” I declined, three times.

I was a late convert to email. And don’t get me started on texting! (Thumb crack!)

An old roommate told me that he had posted photos of his recent trip to Israel on Facebook and I should look at them, so I accessed them through someone else’s Facebook account. There, we found a list of photos showing some of my roomate’s “Facebook Friends.” I looked in horror at what could have been a photo of me for all the scary computer criminal world of pet snatchers to see. My nightmare!

To my surprise, I found a link to a long lost friend from college, who is now considering becoming a nun! She is one of the last women I would have expected to be blogging from a South African convent. You think you know someone, and twenty years later they are out nun spotting.

There have got to be easier ways to meet like-minded people than the humiliation of a poor picture posting!

By chance, I was sent a notice today about a web service which matches individuals who experience mental illness on the theory that it is easier for people to meet someone who accept them as they are, if they disclose upfront that they have experienced mental illness. The site is http://www.trueacceptance.com and for now, its services are free. In addition to social matchmaking, the site has a number of links to resources for individuals who experience mental illness.

In Licking County, there is a program which will not find you a mate, but will find you a friend. There is an application process, but, membership is free. The Compeer Program not only matches trained, compassionate volunteers from the community with individuals in recovery from mental illness, it also provides monthly opportunities in which they can meet and enjoy social activities. Last week, we had a Hawaiian Party. Next month, we have four different activities planned and they are all free of charge.

I will continue to meet my friends at the Compeer Socials. You will not be seeing me on Facebook in the near future. I still use the United States Postal Service and UPS. My dog, however, is considering opening his own webpage.

--Kristen Frame
Compeer Coordinator

Volunteers Are Like Elves

You may remember the fairytale about the elves who made shoes at night while the shoemaker slept? When he awoke, all these marvelous shoes were lined up in his workshop. I've always secretly wanted elves.

Well, having volunteers is like having elves. Take Jodi Neal. She might find it more flattering if I compare her "Radar O'Reilly," the character from MASH (TV reruns and old movie) who knows what the general wants before the general knows it.

Elf or "Radar," 90+% of the time, when I ask Jodi to enter data, call someone, copy something, whatever--she's already taken care of it. Jodi volunteered over 500 hours between September and October. I can't imagine what our Parent Support and Getting Ahead programs would have been like without her. With her help, we were able to stretch the dollars we received from United Way and other donations to serve many more people than we ever could have without her.

Same with Peg Wachenschwanz. Peg donated over 100 hours co-facilitating our Getting Ahead classes, calling participants, giving them rides, helping with paperwork, who-knows-what-all. And Fatina Evans and Betty Van Gundy, who teach parenting programs in the jail. And Susan Jones, who teaches How to Talk So Kids Will Listen programs at MHALC. And Darcy Oakleaf, who updates our database, photographs our kids' programs, and fixes my file cabinet when the drawers stick.

These are just 6 of the elves, I mean volunteers, in our Volunteer Brigade. Other volunteer jobs range from stickering newsletters to running a support group, depending on your interests, skills and availability. You can check out over 50 job descriptions for MHA volunteer opportunities at http://tinyurl.com/2vm88o.

By the way, when do elves sleep? I'll have to remember to ask Jodi. She'll probably tell me before I ask her. It's downright spooky sometimes.

--Judith Waite Allee

Parent Support Coordinator

Testing 1,2,3

You have probably heard of seasonal affective disorder affecting people as the seasons shift towards fall and winter. Did you know some people experience symptoms of depression in response to the longer, warmer days of spring and summer? This reverse seasonal affective disorder (also known as summer depression) has physical symptoms that are the opposite of the winter version such as poor appetite, insomnia, agitation and anxiety.

You may be surprised to learn about summer depression as everyone seems so happy this time of year. Vacations are in full swing, workloads are often lighter, and kids are spending their days playing outside. Do you feel like you are the only one who is not caught up in the fun?

Whether it is due to the weather change or the expectations of the season many times people feel depressed, anxious, or restless during the summer months. For this reason Mental Health America of Licking County invites you to take a few moments to complete a free, anonymous online mental health screening. The screening can be accessed by visiting www.mentalhealthscreening.org/screening and entering the keyword MHALC. Upon completing the screening you will receive immediate feedback as well as the opportunity to schedule an appointment for further evaluation if necessary.

The staff at Mental Health America of Licking County wants you to enjoy this last month of summer. If you aren’t feeling your best take a screening as the first step to feeling better.

For more information, please contact us at 740-522-1341, or by email.

EXTRA, EXTRA, READ ALL ABOUT IT!

Did you know that exercise can change your brain chemistry in a positive way? The research proves it and now we are offering an opportunity for you to look after your mental health as well as your physical health, all while we are raising some bucks during these tough economic times. You can even bring your dog to this one because we have partnered with Angel Paws (they need money too). We will share in the proceeds from your $15.00 pre-registration fee.

Mental Health America of Licking County promotes good mental health and wellness, so we also want you to eat right, sleep right, have good relationships, work on a positive attitude and be happy. We have free brochures on many mental health conditions, coping with stress, coping on the job, suicide prevention, stigma busting, teen issues, grief and more. Visit us at our office at the rear of Moundview Center, 65 Messimer Drive in Newark (off W. Main Street). Go online at our website www.mhalc.org and click on W 4 W to register or call us at 522-1341and we will help you register.

Thank you so much and please know that we appreciate you.

--Paddy Kutz

Executive Director