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 They often are withdrawn, losing interest in friends and family, and no longer participating in favorite activities.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.

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.

Worry Shouldn’t Get The Best Of You #Worry #Stress

In today’s world, countless things can cause us to worry.  Our health, job security, financial issues, school shootings, current politics… the list of potential worries seems endless.

While we can’t eliminate all our stresses, being worried about real things can and does perform a needed function in our lives — it can lead to action.

On the other hand, needless worry can actually be harmful.  Needless worry adds unwanted stress to our lives and can even dramatically increase the health risks we face. The secret, of course, is identifying whether a thing causing worry is a real or a needless worry, and learning how to deal with each one.

When faced with anxiety and worry,  our body reacts by pumping out a variety of chemicals, such as adrenaline, that cause various physiological  reactions. These chemicals fueled our ancestors’  “fight or flee” reaction when that bear attacked. Although we seldom face angry bears today, yet our bodies still react the same way. Sustained, chronic worry can raise our risk of heart attack and stroke, increase blood pressure, lead to high cholesterol levels, and give us stomach aches, headaches and even back pain.

The starting point is identifying if the worry bothering us is real or needless. Often it helps to discuss the cause of your worry with someone else.  If it is a real concern, one that you can do something about, then you want to channel that worry into action.  Begin by making a plan for dealing with the cause of your worry, then carry it through. When you react this way you’re making a positive use of worry.

But if the cause of your worry is something beyond your control, you need to act to counter that worry rather than letting it build up inside you.  Sometimes that simply means thinking about something over which you do have control or taking a simple action to take your mind off of that needless worry.

If watching the news, for example, makes you stressed and worried, stop watching. If the worry is still with you, refocus by doing something positive. Go for a walk, call a friend, or take a long bath.  Your goal is to stop dwelling on those things you really can’t do anything about.

If chronic, especially needless worry is negatively affecting your daily life, consider seeking assistance from a professional counselor who can help you get worry under control. Contact RTG-Troy today for help. We offer many tools to assist you. You are not alone, you matter here!

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

Holiday Celebrating Without The Guilt #HappyHolidays #StressLess

The holidays are a fairly emotional time of the year for most of us. For some people, the holiday period brings memories of warm family gatherings and happy times. For others, it may bring feelings of depression related to loved ones who have passed on, or simply of childhood memories and experiences that weren’t very pleasant.

While our memories and experiences of holidays past are not something we can change, we can  try to ensure that the current holidays don’t add to any emotional burden we may already have.  That may sound complicated, but actually all it means is having a little more awareness of the emotions we face at this time of the year, and of taking a little more control of our lives and actions so that we don’t end up feeling bad about this year’s holiday season.

An easy starting point? Pay more attention to your food and drink intake. Yes, Thanksgiving dinner and holiday parties offer many opportunities to over-indulge. But, remember, you are the one in control of your actions and choices. Limiting yourself to one helping of dessert, or refusing Uncle Waldo’s constant offers of more wine, doesn’t mean that you’re depriving yourself, but rather simply enjoying the holiday in moderation.

And, most importantly, you won’t feel guilty the day after, or face January with the problem of an expanded waistline.  For most of us, the holiday period can be a stressful time. Your job is to try to be sensible and not add more anxiety and stress to what you may already be feeling.

That’s especially true when it comes to holiday parties. Yes, these are additional opportunities to be tempted by too much of too many wrong things to eat, but far too often a bigger problem is  the opportunity to consume too much alcohol. All it takes is one office party and one drink too many and suddenly you’ve said or done something that you’ll not only regret the next day but that may negatively affect your career.

Yes, you want to enjoy this holiday season, but it’s important to remember that you, at all times, are the one in control of you. Keeping your actions sensible and reasonable doesn’t mean you can’t have a great time, but hopefully can mean you won’t have anything to regret. 

For more tips on having a happy Holiday Season, contact RTG-Troy today.  We are committed to assisting others reduce stress and anxiety.  Sometimes having another person to bounce thoughts off of can ease your burden.  We are here to help.

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

Making Holiday Travel A Better Experience #TravelStress #HolidayStress

We are entering one of the busiest, and most stressful,  travel periods of the year. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, travel to a destination 50 miles or more away increases by over 50 percent for Thanksgiving and by almost 25% for Christmas and New Year’s.

While that adds up to even more cars on the road, and usually longer lines at airport TSA, it doesn’t  necessarily have to mean more holiday travel stress for you.

You can actually lower your travel stress by simply accepting that there are some things you can’t control. Bad weather, airport delays, traffic jams or long waits at airport security are all outside your control, no matter how frustrated they may make you feel.

Instead, focus on the things you can control, including your own feelings. Start by planning as much as you can. If it’s a driving trip, check the weather reports and if a bad storm is looming, see if you could depart earlier or later to miss the worst of it.

Planning can also minimize airport delays. Experts advise booking an early flight, for example. Airports are often less crowded then and it leaves you extra time for a later flight if your flight is delayed, cancelled or over-booked. Also know the rules. Is your carry-on the right size? What time do you need to get to the airport? Can you bring wrapped presents?

A little attitude adjustment can even help with a seemingly endless TSA security line. Instead of feeling frustrated, do something silly like checking out your fellow passengers. Try guessing silently where they’re going, what their line of work is, or even why they’re dressed like that out in public.

The best way to handle stress and frustration is simply to refocus your mind away from the thing that is upsetting you. If it’s a traffic jam, getting mad doesn’t make other cars disappear, but playing something on the radio, telling the kids a story, or doing anything else that takes the focus off the immediate problem will make you feel better.
And most importantly, keep your kids happy, or at least occupied. Don’t forget their games, a couple of books, or snacks for when they’re suddenly starving. Happy kids mean less stressed out parents.

Holiday travel may not always be fun, but there’s no reason it has to be high stress. For more tips and tricks on handling stress contact RTG-Troy today. We are here to help.

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

Don’t Let Tests Overwhelm Your Child #TestAnxiety #AdolescentCounseling

Testing is a fact of life for students from elementary through high school. Whether it’s a school system required standardized test, or simply an exam or quiz from the teacher to measure progress and understanding, tests can be a major source of stress and anxiety for many students.

There is no magic cure to remove all the anxiety from testing, but there are strategies to reduce stress levels and to maximize test performance.

A great starting point is being physically prepared. That can help with not only test-taking, but with all aspects of the school day. And all being physically prepared means is that your child should be well-rested and eating healthy foods.

Studies find that the average teen should be getting eight to ten hours of sleep per night, especially on school nights. Those studies, however, find that only about 15% of teens actually get at least 8 hours of sleep on most school nights. That doesn’t make for a well-rested brain when that algebra pop quiz appears in the morning.

Similarly, good nutrition plays a very important role in brain function. Skipping breakfast will always impair brain function. Junk and high-sugar foods almost always guarantee a sugar high that will be followed by a crash during the school day. Drinks high in caffeine, like coffee, soda and energy drinks, may help a student feel alert but can also make him or her feel jittery and nervous and then concentrating is much more difficult.

While getting enough sleep and eating well are important, another critical key to reducing test anxiety is to be prepared. This means staying on top of the subject, keeping up with assigned readings, and being aware of when tests are coming up. By maintaining a more constant understanding of the subject matter your student can avoid having to do last-minute “cramming,” which almost always raises anxiety levels and doesn’t improve grades much.

You can also help your child by teaching them some relaxation techniques. Simply taking a few deep breaths before and even during the exam, and thinking positive thoughts about doing well, can actually make a real difference.

Doing well on tests requires planning, studying and relaxing. But if these things don’t help your child, he or she may be suffering from some degree of test anxiety. In such cases, the school counselor, or an outside professional counselor, can provide help in overcoming the problem.

If you think your child is struggling and needs help with anxiety support a professional counselor can provide tools to ease the strain.  Please contact RTG-Troy today if you need assistance in this area.  We are here to help.

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

How To Tell When A Marriage Is In Trouble #MarriageCounseling

Divorce is a fairly common reality in the U.S. While the most-often cited statistic is that 50 percent of marriages will end in divorce, current estimates are that the number is actually in the range of 42 to 45.

That’s still a very large number of divorces and it’s a figure that is growing even higher among those aged 55 to 64 where divorce rates have quadrupled over the past three decades.

One would think that it’s fairly easy to spot when a marriage is in trouble, but, in fact, marriage problems often tend to grow slowly over time rather than suddenly seeming to burst out of nowhere. It’s important to be aware of the potential problems facing any marriage, since early intervention and the seeking of assistance can often help avoid divorce as a final outcome.

While there will always be small trouble spots and disagreements in even the best of relationships, it’s when the disagreements become almost constant that there are real problems underlying the marriage.

One sign that serious troubles are brewing is when one partner feels he or she is giving more than is being received over an extended period of time.  It can be a job, outside family, the children or any of numerous other issues that has one partner feeling he or she is unfairly carrying the bulk of the load.

When a couple is experiencing severe disagreements that are happening frequently and are coupled with an unwillingness or inability to resolve those disagreements, there’s a good chance that permanent damage is being done to the relationship.

Such problems are usually a sign that outside help, in the form of a professional counselor, is needed. While seeking assistance for marital problems doesn’t mean that every marriage will be saved, it does increase the chances of working out solutions. And in some cases that solution might mean the couple is better off being apart.

A counseling professional can facilitate communication between the couple, help them see the reality of their situation and offer techniques to help in resolving the problems being faced.  Your family clergy may be trained in marriage counseling, or you can consult a counseling professional specializing in relationship and marriage counseling. If you are looking for help and support in marriage counseling reach out to RTG-Troy today.  We have trained counselors who are here to help.

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

Can The News Affect Your Waistline? #WeightManagement #Counseling

Today’s headlines often carry an overwhelming amount of bad news. Whether your information is coming from TV news, your local paper, the Internet or conversations with friends, odds are good that most isn’t good news.

All that bad news can bring stress that can certainly affect your waistline and other factors in your life. Simply hearing about bad things can raise the levels of anxiety and stress you’re experiencing.

When our stress levels increase, it’s a natural reaction that we look to things that will comfort us, even if we don’t consciously realize we’re doing that. And one of the easiest and most common ways to find a little comfort is to reach for some food.

It’s called “stress eating” because it feeds an emotional rather than a physical hunger. Food, especially sweet things, triggers emotional and chemical reactions in our bodies that make us feel better. Another negative story out of Washington? I think I need maybe just one more donut.

Stress eating is one of the most common sources of excessive weight gain. And while it may offer a temporary “good” feeling, it also directly affects our health and self-image.

The key to fighting stress eating is to recognize that it’s happening to you. Try to analyze why you’re eating the next time you reach for a snack. Are you physically hungry, or simply stressed, bored, worried or unhappy?

When it’s emotional eating that is adding those extra pounds, try to find other activities to help calm you down without adding calories. Exercise, for example, is one of the best. It not only burns calories and improves muscle tone but also boosts the action of feel-good neurotransmitters in your body. Something as quick and simple as a walk around the block will do the job.

Other substitutes for that unneeded snack can include reading a book, listening to music or talking to a friend. Any activity that helps calm you down without reaching for food is a step in the right direction.

And if you find you really must have a snack, make it a healthy one such as a piece of fruit. Eating in response to stress is a common but very fixable problem. Often simply becoming aware of stress eating can help in minimizing the problem. If you need help in overcoming stress eating, consider seeking the help of a professional counselor.

At RTG-Troy we offer a Certified Weight Loss Specialist who is specifically qualified to treat this type of problem.  You are not alone.  Contact us today for more information on Weight Management Therapy. Stop letting stress impact your eating and your all around health. We can help.

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

Helping Your Teen Deal With Peer Pressure #PeerPressure #Counseling

As parents we like to think we’re the most important influence in our children’s lives. And that’s probably true up to a certain age but then the outside world, in the form of school and friends, intrudes. By the time your child is a teenager it’s almost a certainty that the opinions and actions of other teens are playing a large role in decisions about everything from clothing choices to hair styles to academic efforts.

 

Peer pressure is natural and, in many cases, can be a positive thing. But it can also be a negative, especially for a teen lacking in self-confidence and self-esteem who is anxious to be accepted by others.

As a parent you can’t control the pressures your teen is going to be experiencing, but you can play a big role in helping him or her overcome negative peer pressure.

Your starting point is to try and build confidence and self-esteem for your teen. A child who is self-confident and has high self-esteem is much more able to say no to harmful behaviors.

Help build that self-esteem by looking for positive accomplishments and praising work that is being well done. At the same time, try to limit criticism when a teen’s efforts fall short.

You want to take a genuine interest in your teen’s life. Ask questions about what he or she is doing and feeling. Learn to respect your teen’s thinking even when it’s counter to your own. Try to be respectful of your teen’s decisions in friends, music and appearance.  Getting your teen to really talk to you can often be difficult, but showing a real interest in your teen’s life can produce results.

This doesn’t mean that everything and everyone your teen values gets your approval. You are still the parent and need to sometimes set rules and boundaries.  While “forbidding” certain friends seldom works, if  you build a respectful relationship with your teen you should be able to express your concerns and work together to set reasonable limits.

Strengthening the family relationships also helps. Insist on homework and chores being done. Set curfews and stick to them. Spend time with your teen, have family dinners together and find quiet times when you really can talk to each other.

Not all peer pressure is negative but as a parent, part of your job is to help your teen learn how to evaluate friendships. If your teen is struggling, and you need help navigating the world of adolescence stress, reach out to RTG-Troy.  We have counselors who are trained to help teens in crisis.

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

Is It Time For That Career Change? #CareerAdvice #Counseling

Current news reports seem to show that in many areas of the country the economy is performing strongly. Housing prices are up, corporate profits are increasing and unemployment rates in most places are at historic lows.

An environment like this can be a good time to evaluate your own employment situation and how satisfied you are with both where you’re working and the kind of work you’re doing. If the answers you find show you aren’t enjoying your career, this might be the time to consider a change.

While making a mid-life career change can seem frightening for most people, if the alternative is staying in your current position where you’re feeling unhappy and unsatisfied, then such a change is at least worth considering.

Start by asking yourself some questions about your current career:

–  Do you find you dread going to work each day?

–  Does Sunday afternoon leave you depressed because Monday morning and work are approaching?

–  Is your current work providing a sense of contentment or accomplishment?

–  Are there things you enjoy about your work, or do you find it difficult to be interested and motivated in your job or field of work?

–  Do you feel your abilities and experience are being underused?

If you’re answering yes to the majority of such questions, it’s a strong sign you may be ready for a career change. That doesn’t mean you should head for work tomorrow and hand in your resignation, but rather that it’s time to start researching options.

Your library or local bookstore is a good starting place. There are numerous books on career change that can help you identify your abilities, interests and values.

You may also want to consider meeting with a professional counselor specializing in career and employment guidance. Such counselors can provide resources such as interest and personality tests that can help you clarify your goals and identify possible careers. A counselor will work with you to help you narrow your focus and to develop a plan for action.

Making a major career change can seem daunting but staying in a job that leaves you unhappy and dissatisfied can lead to serious problems. Done correctly, a career change can give you a better sense of control over your life, and excitement about the opportunities in your future.

For more tips or career counseling contact RTG-TROY today. You do not have to navigate career/employment stress alone. We have tools to help. Don’t wait until you are overwhelmed, reach out, and make positive action steps. We are here to help.

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