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.

Spring Is On Its Way!

(Although a little bird told me it’s supposed to snow next week)

One of the first facts that surprised me when I became the Suicide Prevention Coordinator was that the rate of suicide is highest during the months of spring—not winter like I had assumed. So although I am excited for spring because I enjoy the nice weather and the chance to work in my garden, I also think we must be vigilant of the attitudes and behaviors of those around us during the coming months, and keep an eye out for the signs of depression and/or suicide.

We have started up a Survivors After Suicide support group for people who have survived the loss of a loved one due to suicide. Attendance has fluctuated since the first meeting in January. Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of every month at 7:00 pm at Mental Health America of Licking County in the conference room. We welcome friends of survivors to meetings as well. During the meeting, anything that is shared is strictly confidential, and people who attend are welcome to share their stories or experiences, or not say anything at all and just listen. If childcare is a concern, please contact me, Brittany Schumann, at 740-522-1341 and we will see if we can arrange something for you.

Also, we are still collecting photographs with dates, etc. for the Suicide Prevention Quilt until June 1, 2009. You can send the photograph to us by mail and it will be returned to you within two weeks (Attn: Brittany Schumann, 65 Messimer Drive, Newark, OH 43055), or you can send photographs by email to bschumann@mhalc.org. Please feel free to include dates and/or brief quotes/memories with your photograph and we will include them on the quilt! Our hope is that this quilt will provide hope for people with thoughts of suicide that their life is worth living because people do care about them, and the lives of those who have died by suicide will be commemorated.

If you have any questions about depression, suicide, the support group or the quilt, please feel free to contact me!

--Brittany Schumann
Suicide Prevention Coordinator