We Can Do Something About Teen Suicide

Many parents are, unfortunately, not aware of how common the problem of teen suicide is. In America, it’s estimated there is an average of more than 3,000 suicide attempts every day by young people in grades 9 to 12. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people ages 10 to 24, killing more teens and young adults than cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke, pneumonia, influenza and chronic lung disease combined.

Studies have found that four out of five teens who attempt suicide have given clear warning signs, yet too often such signs are ignored or simply not noticed or recognized.

Life today can seem overwhelming for many adolescents. Young people are confronted with physical and hormonal changes, school grade anxieties, being socially accepted and making life decisions about college or employment choices. Other factors, such as a parental divorce, a seriously ill relative or even moving to a new home can bring added levels of stress and anxiety. Being bullied, whether in person or online, will also contribute to the negative feelings a teen may be experiencing.

Teens affected by such factors are often suffering from depression and suicide may simply seem the easiest way to escape the blackness they are feeling.  Depression is a mental health issue that doesn’t cure itself, but it does have a number of signs that can help a parent spot a teen in trouble.

Teens suffering from depression will often exhibit changes in eating and sleeping habits. They often are withdrawn, losing interest in friends and family, and no longer participating in favorite activities.  Their school work may be suffering, they may have difficulty concentrating, and may not pay much attention to their personal hygiene and appearance.

In some cases the teen may verbalize feelings of wanting to die or simply outright threaten suicide. The warnings given may be more subtle, like saying “I won’t be a problem much longer.” Any such references to death or suicide are clear cries for help and shouldn’t be ignored.

Depression, whether in a teen or adult, is a mental health problem that can be treated. Any signs that a teen may be considering suicide should call for immediate action. Talk to your family physician or a professional counselor.

At RTGTROY we want to help families struggling with adolescent issues, such as depression. Please reach out. We are passionate about helping teens through crisis.

There’s also information and help from the National Suicide Prevention hotline at 1-800-273-8255. Acting early can help save a young life.

-Reprinted in full or in part with attribution to the American Counseling Association’s Counseling Corner Blog.

Are The Winter Blues Getting You Down? #SeasonalCare #MentalWellness

With winter here, perhaps you’re not quite feeling your normal self.  Maybe you’re a bit sluggish, a little irritable, sleeping longer, or just feeling a little down in general? Welcome to what’s commonly called the “winter blues” or the “winter blahs.”

This is a fairly common problem and while it’s often minor, there are times when it can be a quite serious issue.  Some people find winter weather affects them strongly enough that it makes daily life difficult.  Severe cases are known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and can be serious enough to warrant treatment by a mental health professional.

But for most of us these winter blues are just a minor inconvenience and, fortunately, one that you can do something about.

One contributing factor is the shorter days and lack of sunlight in winter. The obvious cure is to increase the amount of light in your life.  If it’s a bright, sunny day, bundle up and get outside for a bit.  If it’s gray and dreary, try turning on extra lights to brighten things up and use broad spectrum bulbs (often sold as “therapy lights”) that simulate natural sunlight.

Exercise also helps fight those tired and sluggish feelings. Just a short daily walk or gym workout can help your body and mind overcome feelings of low energy.

And even small changes can make a difference. When you’re feeling down, give a friend a call and talk about happy things. Watch a favorite funny TV show or movie. Read a book that you know you’ll enjoy, or spend some time on a hobby that makes you feel good.

Getting involved with others is another way to feel better. Start going out more, whether it’s socializing with friends or volunteering at your church, a local shelter, or nonprofit agency. Helping others almost always brings better feelings, and when you combine that good work with a nice bright smile, you may find you just don’t have time to feel blue.

Of course, there are many things that can cause sad feelings besides cold, gray skies. If you find that you just can’t overcome such feelings, and they’re interfering with your enjoyment of a normal life, seek help. A professional counselor can both help pinpoint the cause of your feelings and suggest ways to overcome the problem. At RTGTROY we have specially trained professionals who truly care about helping clients find answers to difficult questions and devoloping clear paths for growth.

Bottom line?  Take action and don’t let the winter blues take the fun out of your life.

– Reprinted in full or part with attribution to the American Counseling Association’s Counseling Corner Blog.

Steps Toward A Mentally Healthier You #StressReduction #MentalHealth

It’s true that most of us don’t give our mental health much attention unless we’re facing a serious problem.  That’s too bad, because in today’s complicated world most of us could stand to reduce our stress and worry, and to feel better about ourselves.

Think of improving your mental health as similar to improving your physical health. Just as exercise gets your muscles in better shape, there are things you can do to get your feelings and attitudes into better shape.

A good starting point is simply to make time for yourself. In today’s busy world, it’s easy to fill our days with work, family and social obligations, leaving little or no time for ourselves.

The fix for that is to include “you” in your daily schedule. Create a real schedule that includes time each day for at least one thing you find pleasant and enjoyable.  Maybe it’s reading a book, working at a hobby, or just taking a relaxing walk. Put it on your calendar and make sure it happens.

Getting involved with others is another way to reduce stress and feel better about yourself.  Community, civic and religious organizations are always eager for volunteers to help carry out their work.

Giving something back to the community can offer a meaningful escape from your own problems (and often puts such problems in a better perspective) while also providing a sense of fulfillment and self-worth that’s essential for good mental health.

And don’t ignore staying physically fit as a means to improve mental health. Studies find  regular exercise is a great way to fight depression, for example. Plus, as we get ourselves into better shape, we usually start to feel more confident about ourselves — everything from how we look to what we can do. And that’s good mental health.

There’s no magic way to make stress and problems just disappear but building a little relaxation into your life, helping those in need, and staying physically active can all improve mental health and make it easier to cope with the problems you will face.

If you find that your actions don’t have you feeling better, check out the assistance that a professional counselor can offer. You do not have to go through this alone. RTGTROY has trained professionals who can help you strategize ways to defeat your stress.

There are many fixes for better mental health. Whether it’s steps you take on your own, or help you get from a professional counselor, good mental health is a goal worth achieving.

-Reprinted in full or in part with attribution to the American Counseling Association’s Counseling Corner Blog.

It’s Time To Understand Depression #Depression #Counseling

People commonly say, “I don’t know, I’m just a little depressed today.” We all have days when things seem off and we’re feeling a little blue. But, in most cases, the sun shines the following day, what was bothering us has disappeared and we’re feeling fine again. However, in some cases, those feelings of sadness don’t just go away. It’s important to be able to recognize what true depression is and to get it treated.

Why does it matter? For starters, untreated depression greatly increases an individual’s risk of suicide, and suicide is this nation’s 10th leading cause of death and the 2nd leading cause of death among young people ages 15 to 24.  Almost half a million people visited U.S. hospitals last year due to self-inflicted harm.

So while it’s obvious that serious depression can be a health problem not to be ignored, far too few people recognize depression in themselves, or someone close to them, and seek treatment. That’s unfortunate because most serious depression is highly treatable and, unlike a cold or the flu, is not simply going to away on its own.

What is depression? Actually, it can come in several forms, some more serious than others. Around this time of the year, for example, many people will experience “seasonal depression,” those sad or blue feelings that accompany the coming of autumn, shorter days and cooler weather.  It’s usually a mild form of depression and one that’s relatively easy to treat.

“Postpartum depression” is a common problem for many women after giving birth. They tend to experience stress, sadness, loneliness and exhaustion, especially during the first couple of weeks after the new baby’s arrival.  Again, it’s a form of depression that can be treated.

“Clinical depression” can be a very serious problem. It’s not only feeling sad, but is usually characterized by a lack of energy to do even routine tasks. It can make ordinary life difficult or impossible to live successfully.

Seek help if you, or someone close to you, and especially if that someone is a young person, is experiencing feelings of sadness, worthlessness and loss of interest in normal life, and it has been going on for several weeks.  A counseling professional can offer a wide range of techniques and tools to help overcome the problems that depression brings, and to help the person return to a happy, productive life.

At RTG-Troy, we have professional counselors who have been trained to help people experiencing depression.  You do not have to go through this alone.  There are treatments available that can help.

-Reprinted  in full or in part with attribution to the American Counseling Association’s Counseling Corner Blog.