Facts

FACT:

Every

60 Minutes

More Than

People

Die by Suicide

FACT:

Talking about suicide

Does NOT

cause someone to be suicidal!

Kimberly A. Spencer

FACT:

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for teenagers between the ages of 14-19.

FACT:

Each day approximately 14 people between the ages of 14-24 die by suicide.

FACT:

Suicide rates for children, between the ages of 10-14, have tripled in the last decade.

FACT:

Up to 60% of high school students report having suicidal ideation.

FACT:

Most suicidal persons desperately want to live. They are just unable to see alternatives to their problems.

PROJECT JUSTIFICATION

1. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for teenagers between the ages of 15-19

2. Suicide claims more lives in this country than AIDS, murder and many genetic diseases

3. More than 30,000 people in the United States die by suicide each year

4. The U.S. Surgeon General calls suicide the most preventable form of death in the country and has called on communities across the nation to tackle this problem

5. One out of 3 girls are sexually abused by age 19

6. For every 2 girls abused there is 1 sexually abused boy

7. Suicide is preventable

8. Suicide transfers pain to the loved ones left behind

9. Talking about suicide does NOT cause someone to suicide

10. More than 765,000 people attempt suicide each year in the U.S.

Facts/Myths...Information comes from the www.nostigma.org site!

Important campaign and message.......Check it out when you can!

Dispelling the Myths

The National Mental Health Awareness Campaign is dedicated to reducing the stigma associated with mental illnesses of all kinds in America. Fear and shame thrive in dark corners. What follows are some very popular myths, along with the facts to debunk them. Our purpose here is to shed some light -- and urge people to seek treatment.

Kids & Adolescents:

	Myth: Teenagers don't suffer from "real" mental illnesses; they are just moody.
	Fact: One in ten children and adolescents suffer from mental illness.
	Myth: Talk about suicide is an idle threat that need not be taken seriously.
	Fact: 90% (or more) of all suicide victims have a mental illness and/or a substance abuse problem. For people ages 15 to 24, suicide is the third leading cause of death.
	Myth: Childhood mental health problems are really the result of poor parenting, and lack of discipline in the home.
	Fact: Mental illnesses are often inherited from one generation to another, and generally have little or nothing to do with parenting.

Mental Illness -- "Just snap out of it."

	Myth: Mental illness are not real, and cannot be treated.
	Fact: According to the U.S. Surgeon General, mental disorders are as easy to diagnose as asthma, diabetes, and cancer. Treatments are effective 60% to 80% of the time!!
	Myth: We're good people. Mental illness doesn't happen to me and my family.
	Fact: One in five Americans will suffer at some point from a mental health problem. These Americans are from ALL backgrounds.

Depression -- "It's just the blues."

	Myth: Depression is a normal part of life (aka the "blues") that can be overcome without seeking treatment.
	Fact: Depression is a real, treatable illness that effects 19 million adult Americans every year. It is the leading cause of disability in the United States -- over back problems, heart disease and liver failure.
	Myth: Depression is a normal and expected part of aging.
	Fact: Five million older Americans suffer from clinical depression; whereas seniors comprise 13% of the population, they account for 20% of all suicides.

Health Insurance -

"I can't afford mental health care"

	Myth: Private health insurance routinely does not cover mental health services.
	Fact: Well over 90% of companies with health insurance cover some mental health care, but often in discriminatory ways.

Violence & Mental Illness

	Myth: Stay away from people with mental illness because they're violent.
	Fact: Virtually every study shows that persons with mental disorders are no more violent than other Americans, assuming that they don't abuse alcohol or illegal drugs, and are receiving treatment.

Homelessness

	Myth: A homeless person suffering from mental illness has little chance of recovery.
	Fact: Homelessness can be significantly decreased when people with untreated mental illnesses are connected to case management, supported housing, and related services.

There Is Hope

	Myth: There is no hope for people with mental illness.
	Fact: Mental illnesses are successfully treated at a much higher rate than other chronic health conditions.

Warning Signs

Changes in feelings such as fear and anger are a normal part of life. In fact, learning about your own mood changes, like what triggers them and when, is important to knowing who you are.

There are many situations, such as a divorce in the family or strained relationships with friends that can cause emotional stress. Difficult situations may make you feel sad or "blue" for a while. That's different than having a mental health problem like depression. See www.ndmda.org for more information.

Young people suffering from depression often feel an overwhelming sense of helplessness and hopelessness for long periods. This depression may lead to suicidal feelings.

Certain experiences, thoughts, and feelings signal the presence of mental health problems or the need for help. The following signs are important to recognize:

	finding little or no pleasure in life
	feeling worthless or extremely guilty
	crying a lot for no particular reason
	withdrawing from other people
	experiencing severe anxiety, panic, or fear
	having big mood swings
	experiencing a change in eating or sleeping patterns
	having very low energy
	losing interest in hobbies and pleasurable activities
	having too much energy, having trouble concentrating or following through on plans
	feeling easily irritated or angry
	experiencing racing thoughts or agitation
	hearing voices or seeing images that other people do not experience
	believing that others are plotting against you
	wanting to harm yourself or someone else

It's not necessarily easy to spot these signs, or to figure out what they mean. Qualified mental health professionals are skilled in making an accurate diagnosis.

As a general rule: the longer the signs last, the more serious they are, and the more they interfere with daily life, the greater the chance that professional treatment is needed.

When dealing with mental health or emotional problems, it's important not to go at it alone.

First step: reach out to people you trust.

Think of all the people you can turn to for support. These are people who are concerned about you and can help comfort you, who will listen to you and encourage you, and who can help arrange for treatment. In other words, find the caring people in your life who can help you.

These people might include:

	friends
	parents and other family members
	someone who seems "like a parent" to you
	other adults whose advice you would value - perhaps a favorite teacher or coach, a member of your church or other place of worship, or a good friend's parent

Research shows that males are more reluctant to look for help and receive it than females are. While some people may have difficulty reaching out to others they trust, taking this first step in getting help is important for everyone to do.

Some families have health insurance that helps them get the services they need from mental health professionals. Insurance may cover some of the cost of these services. Many insurance companies provide a list of licensed mental health professionals in your area.

How to Get Help

There are at least four national numbers where you will get help accessing mental health care in your community. Please note two things: First, the National Mental Health Awareness Campaign is not endorsing any of these numbers.

Second, this is not meant to be an exhaustive list. These are just the most obvious places to look. AND REMEMBER: THE SINGLE BEST PLACE TO ACCESS MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IS THROUGH YOUR OWN PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE POLICY IF YOU HAVE ONE -- OR YOUR PARENTS' POLICY (WITH THEIR HELP).

1) Knowledge Exchange Network (KEN)

Number/Web Site: 1-800-789-2647 or www.mentalhealth.org

Description: This is a toll-free call -- and can also be accessed by dialing 1-877-495-0009. Live operators are available from 8:30am to 5:00pm Eastern Standard Time (EST). The operator will first ask you if you've tried to obtain help through your private health insurance plan. However, this number also provides referral to public mental health clinics near your home; you'll have to hang up and re-dial to the local number they give you. The KEN line is run by the Federal Government's Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS).

2) American Psychological Association Public Education Line

Number/WebSite: 1-800-964-2000 or www.helping.apa.org.

Description: This is a toll-free call, and the number has a live operator answering 24 hours a day, seven days a week (if you press "10"). After an initial discussion, they will connect you to the American Psychological Association chapter in your state, who will give you a local referral to PSYCHOLOGISTS ONLY. Most state APA chapters keep normal business hours.

3) American Psychiatric Association Answer Center

Number/WebSite: 202-682-6000 or www.psych.org.

Description: Contacting this number is a toll call, and live operators are only available from 8:30am to 6:00pm EST. Otherwise it's somewhat similar to the 1-800 line discussed immediately before. The operator will refer you to the American Psychiatric Association chapter in your state, but you are required to hang up and dial that number; they cannot automatically connect you. The state chapters, which are open during normal business hours, can refer you to PSYCHIATRISTS ONLY.

4) 1-800-THERAPIST

Number/WebSite: 1-800-843-7274 or www.1-800-THERAPIST.com.

Description: This is a toll-free number, and it's a free referral service. It appears you can only talk to a "referral resource counselor" during normal business hours. The advantage to using this service is that after an initial telephone evaluation, they can refer you to the full range of mental clinicians including a psychiatrist, psychologist, marriage or family therapist, clinical social worker, licensed professional counselor, or psychiatric nurse.

5) National Hopeline Network

Number/WebSite: 1-800-SUICIDE or www.hopeline.org

Description: The Hope Line connects people in immediate distress to a Crisis Center. Certified counselors answer calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week. When the system is fully operational, your call should be routed to a center nearest your home. A trained counselor should answer within two or three rings, or about 20 to 30 seconds, from the moment you dial 1-800-SUICIDE.

Click Here for More On-line Mental Health Links

Sometimes people don't get the help they need because they don't know where to turn. When you're not feeling well, it can be a struggle to take the necessary steps to help yourself get better.

When dealing with mental health or emotional problems, it's important not to go at it alone. Healing is a combination of helping yourself and letting others help you. Comfort and support, information and advice, and professional treatment are all forms of help.

There are free self-help and support groups in many communities for dealing with specific mental health problems.

Health professionals who specialize in helping individuals and their families with mental health problems include psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, counselors, and psychiatric nurses. Psychotherapy, sometimes known as talk therapy, is often an important part of mental health treatment by qualified professionals. In some situations, physicians may recommend the use of medication for an individual with mental health problems. Health professionals often work together, for example, as members of a treatment team. Family members may also be asked to support an individual in his or her treatment.

Sometimes being able to get the help you need is a matter of changing your mind.

The more you know, the easier it is. Libraries are an excellent source of information about mental health. Bookstores often have "self-help" or "psychology" sections.

There are many web sites related to health and mental health. Some are better in quality than others. It is important to know if the information on a site comes from sources you can trust. Use caution whenever you're sharing or exchanging information online, there's a chance that it will not be kept private.

Nothing is worse than doing nothing.

The consequences of not getting help for mental health problems can be serious. Untreated problems often continue and become worse, and new problems may occur. For example, someone with panic attacks might begin drinking too much alcohol with the mistaken hope that it will help relieve his or her emotional pain.

One final word: to be a good friend, never keep talk of suicide a secret. Friends often confide in one another about their problems. But if a friend mentions suicide, take it seriously and seek help immediately from a trusted adult or health professional. Never keep talk of suicide a secret, even if a friend asks you to. It's better to risk losing a friendship than to risk losing a friend forever.