Suicide Prevention Week a Success!

Phew, I can finally breathe!

Last week was National Suicide Prevention week, and as suicide prevention coordinator I was very busy.

The annual candle light vigil was last week, and the turn out was great. There were over forty people there, along with media coverage from The Advocate and WCLT.

The suicide prevention quilt was debuted to the public, as well as a call for more photos to add to the quilt. Anyone who would like to include their loved one on the quilt can contact me for more information.

Besides suicide prevention week, I have been busy researching and writing grants for the program because the grant that currently funds the program ends on December 31 with no option to renew it. It has been very stressful trying to fund funding because the suicide prevention program is needed in Licking County. I have also been presenting in area middle and high schools on the warning signs of suicide and depression.

I want to end with a thank you to all of you who made the vigil such a success. I look forward to seeing you all soon!

--Ashley Shaw
Suicide Prevention Coordinator

Responding After Suicide

Paddy Kutz, Executive Director, Mental Health America of Licking County

For all the talk about it, suicide is still a fairly rare event, but if you lost someone to suicide, there are some things you need to know.

• Most people won’t ever know anyone who ended his or her own life, so most people don’t think about it very much. Most people don’t have to.
• Most people have never thought about what it is like to “survive” the death of a loved one, relative, friend or co-worker.
• If you are like most people, you probably didn’t think that much about it either, so it’s little wonder that you may be confused and uncertain about what to do should you experience a suicide. You may wonder:

What to say to others?

What to expect as you grieve?

What to expect from others who are also grieving?

How to explain this to someone else?

How to explain this to yourself?

Why did this happen?

etc. etc. etc.

There will be a mixture of sadness, bewilderment, and uncertainty and lots of questions and concerns.

Unfortunately, most people don’t know this and there aren’t any easy solutions to the difficult situations a death by suicide presents. Sometimes there aren’t any answers for the questions raised.

• “Why didn’t I see any warning signs?” They may not be easy to spot. Many signs such as changes in behavior, may develop slowly – if at all. People who are planning a suicide may hide their feelings and plans from others.
• “How could he or she have done it?” It is natural to feel angry and resentful toward the person who died. Acknowledging these feelings can be an important part of the healthy process.
• “Was it my fault?” You may feel guilty or wonder if you could have done more to help the person. Or you might worry that you somehow caused the person to choose suicide. Remember, it is NOT your fault.

Understanding Your Feelings

A person grieving after a suicide often experiences:

• Shock and denial – at first, you may feel emotionally numb or have a hard time believing the person is truly gone. You may even try to deny the cause of death.
• Anger – you may feel angry with yourself and others for not being able to “save” the person. You may also feel angry with the person who died by suicide.
• Guilt – it’s common for suicide survivors to blame themselves for things they did or didn’t do. But remember, you couldn’t know what would happen.
• Shame – you may worry that others will criticize you or judge you harshly.
• Loneliness and fear – as initial feelings of shock wear off, you must begin to face the finality of your loss. You may feel insecure and afraid to face the future.
• Hopelessness and sadness – feelings of hopelessness and sadness may seem overwhelming. You may wonder if you’ll ever feel joy and pleasure again. Watch out for depression setting in. Grieving is natural, but depression is a treatable illness, which you must deal with appropriately. Get help!
• Acceptance and hope – with time you will learn to accept your loss and feel hopeful again.

Your feelings may surprise you, but they are a natural part of the grieving process. Most people feel strong emotions when they lose someone and the shock of a death by suicide may cause even more intense feelings. Trying to hide or ignore your feelings won’t make them go away. It may take time, but you can learn to copy with these intense, and sometimes confusing, feelings.

“Why suicide? There is no single cause. Generally, the answer is that the person felt trapped by what they saw as a hopeless situation, worthlessness, they felt isolated and cut off from life. They felt intense pain and anguish. They probably weren’t choosing death as much as choosing to end the unbearable pain, whether from problems and losses or from the symptoms of a mental illness or both.

Mental Health America of Licking County has a Survivors After Suicide support group. It is free and can be so helpful in the healing process. The group meets at our office at the rear of 65 Messimer Drive the third Tuesday of the month at 7 pm. We have many suggestions on how to handle these difficult situations. You can call us at 740-522-1341 or email at mhalc@alink.com. Our website is www.mhalc.org for information and resources as well.

What to do When Depression Follows a Heart Attack

by Paddy Kutz, Executive Director, Mental Health America of Licking County

In some cases, the trauma caused by a heart attack may actually trigger a major depression. Recent studies have indicated a high rate of depression among cardiac patients, which may increase their risk for further cardiac events.

Two possible reasons for this are: 1) depressed patients are less likely to stick to treatment and 2) the functional changes brought on by the symptoms of depression itself. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to the “down” mood following a health crisis if it persists for more than several weeks and interferes with normal daily activities.

The “Blues” vs. Major Depression: feelings of depression are normal following a health crisis; however, when these symptoms are prolonged, serious problems can occur. In other words, a major depression is more than a brief or transitory change in mood. It is important to distinguish between normal feelings of sadness (“blues”) and the more serious condition of major depression. In the “blues” state, time heals, the mood lifts, and people continue to function. In contrast, major depression is not a passing mood; however with treatment, most individuals return to full and productive lives.

Know the Symptoms: Individuals experiencing 4 or more of the following symptoms for more than 2 weeks or whose usual functioning has become impaired by such symptoms, should seek an evaluation for depressive illness.

• Persistent low, anxious or “empty” feelings.
• Decreased energy, fatigue.
• Loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities.
• Sleep disturbances.
• Appetite and weight changes (either gain or loss).
• Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism.
• Thoughts of death or suicide, suicide attempts.
• Difficulty in concentrating, remembering, making decisions.
• Chronic aches or persistent bodily symptoms that are not caused by physical disease.

Message of Hope: With treatment, over 80% of individuals with depressive illness can improve and return to daily activities, usually in a matter of weeks. There is a choice of treatments available, including medications, therapy, or a combination of both. If you or someone you know shows signs of depression, it is important to talk with the physician and/or a local mental health professional.

Friends and Family Can Help: The very nature of depression can keep individuals from seeking help. Perhaps the most important way family and friends can help is by encouraging the individual to get appropriate treatment. Because depression destroys self-esteem and confidence, family and friends need to provide support, love and encouragement. In addition, they can help in the following ways:

1. Maintain as normal a relationship as possible.
2. Point out, without being critical or disapproving, distorted negative thinking.
3. Smile and encourage honest effort.
4. Acknowledge that the person is suffering and in pain.
5. Offer kind words and pay compliments.
6. Show that you care, respect, and value the depressed person.
7. Until the depression lifts, assist the individual in following the cardiac treatment regimen.

Remember there are many places in the community where people with depression can be diagnosed. In fact, Mental Health America of Licking County provides free depression screening that you can take to your doctor or you can screen for depression on-line at www.mhalc.org and click below the Danger sign located in the left hand column.

Mental Health America of Licking County is a member agency of Licking County United Way and the Community Mental Health & Recovery Board. My email is paddykutz@alink.com.

International Talk Like a Pirate Day 2009

Why not? Ye land lubbing bilge rats have sumpin’ agin’ pirates?

Who hasn’t imagined themselves at the wheel of the Black Pearl with their best parrot at their side sailing the Spanish Main in search of booty…, er , bounty?

What began almost a decade ago as a challenge between two friends has grown to see if they could make their friends talk like pirates, has become an international phenomenon.

Can you think of a better way to celebrate an ex-wife’s birthday?

You don’t need a wooden leg, or an eye patch, just a few key phrases. End a sentence with “Arrr!” every now and then and you’re on your way.

Pirates are very social—they are always happy to meet others and share in the romance of the high seas—so be a pirate, seize the day and make all your prisoners talk like pirates!

--Kristen Frame, Compeer Coordinator, has been learning how to tell bilge rats from scurvy dogs