Today is time to talk day, in regards to Mental Health, because of the importance of Mental Health and people's misunderstanding and misconceptions about this issue/
I was reading in today's edition of the Daily Mail about the high levels of anti-depressant medication such as Prozac prescribed to residents of some sea-side resorts such as Blackpool.
I was reading in today's edition of the Daily Mail about the high levels of anti-depressant medication such as Prozac prescribed to residents of some sea-side resorts such as Blackpool.
I
was reading recently in Daily Express newspaper here in the UK, when Prince
William, The Duke of Cambridge spoke
of his high regard for those charities that help those facing mental health
challenges and suicide.
Habakkuk 3:17-18New
American Standard Bible (NASB)
17
Though
the fig tree should not blossom
And
there be no [a]fruit on the vines,
Though
the yield of the olive should fail
And
the fields produce no food,
Though
the flock should be cut off from the fold
And
there be no cattle in the stalls,
18
Yet
I will exult in the Lord,
I
will rejoice in the God of my salvation.
Many
both in the Church and outside the Church suffer from various forms of
depression and other mental health issues, more often or not we have not dealt in the
best way with Christians and non-Christians who cope with various degrees of
success and failure with these issues, some have self-medicated through
alcohol, drugs and food, it’s easy for us who either say we have never
or never will have depression and or we successfully or unsuccessfully try to
hide or camouflage our own battles with mental health issues such as depression,
and to not realise the effects that depression and mental health issues that
effect our friends, neighbours and family members and ourselves.
It
is not my place to say what we can do to deal with our own mental health
battles or the battles the people we love and care about, we can give glib and easy answers, but it’s time that we tackled mental health
issues with honesty, integrity and commitment.
There are many excellent books and resources available for those who
want to enter this ministry and avenues for personal study, please feel to look these up. I have included one link that has helped me
to consider the effects of depression. If you or someone you love is going through a battle with depression I would
advise you to consider counselling . In
my personal journey, I will prayerfully look through books and other resources
in order to fully equip myself to help
those with depression.
“What
is depression?
First
we need to clarify what we are talking about. In order to distinguish severe or
"major depression" from everyday blues, the American Psychiatric
Association offers the following diagnostic criteria:
Major
depression is diagnosed when an adult exhibits one or both of two core symptoms
(depressed mood and lack of interest), along with four or more of the following
symptoms, for at least two weeks: feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate
guilt; diminished ability to concentrate or make decisions; fatigue;
psychomotor agitation (cannot sit still) or retardation (just sitting around);
insomnia or hypersomnia (sleeping too much); significant decrease or increase
in weight or appetite; and recurrent thoughts of death or suicidal ideation.
This
clinical definition is sterile, however, and fails to capture the unique
quality of the severely depressed person's suffering.
Deep
depression is embodied emotional suffering. It is not simply a state of mind or
a negative view of life but something that affects our physical being as well.
Signs of a severe episode of depression include unfounded negative evaluations
of friends, family, and oneself, emotional "pain," physical problems
such as lethargy, difficulty getting one's thoughts together, and virtually no
interest in one's surroundings. Though most of us know at least an acquaintance
who has committed suicide, this tragic act baffles us perhaps as much as it
pains us. "I just don't understand," we say. The irony is that
survivors of serious suicide attempts frequently reflect on those attempts with
a similar attitude: "I have no idea what came over me." The pain and
mental dysfunction of major depression are that deep.”
WHAT
IS DEPRESSION?
Depression
is one of the most common mental disorders in the UK, according to the mental
health foundation.
But
despite how common the illness is, many people do not understand exactly what
it means to have depression, and often think of it as being the same as sadness
- however the two are completely different.
Sadness
is something we all experience; it’s a normal, human emotion we feel when
something unpleasant happens to us. It can occur at regular intervals in our
everyday lives, but it is not constant.
Depression
on the other hand is more than simply feeling unhappy or fed up for a few days.
When
you're depressed you feel persistently sad for weeks, months or even years and
it is not due to 'bad' things happening.
It
is a genuine health condition with real symptoms, and it's not a sign of
weakness or something you can snap out of by pulling yourself together.
It
is a constant feeling of sadness and hopelessness every moment of every day.
DEPRESSION
SYMPTOMS?
The
symptoms can range from lasting feelings of sadness, to losing interest in the
things you used to enjoy and feeling very tearful.
Many
people with depression also have symptoms of anxiety.
There
can be physical symptoms too, such as feeling constantly tired, sleeping badly,
having no appetite or sex drive, and complaining of various aches and pains.
The
severity of the symptoms can vary. At its mildest, you may simply feel
persistently low in spirit, while at its most severe depression can make you
feel suicidal and that life is no longer worth living.
DEPRESSION
IN MEN AND WOMEN
One
in four women in the UK will suffer from depression at some point in their
lives compared to one in 10 men, according to the mental health foundation.
However
because depression symptoms in men can go longer without being diagnosed or
treated, the condition might develop into a more devastating mental health
problem.
And
statistics show that men are more likely to have an alcohol or drug problem
relating to depression and are more likely to commit suicide.
In
fact, around 75 per cent of suicides in the UK are men and it still remains the
most common cause of death in men under the age of 35, according to the mental
health foundation.
SUICIDE
AND HOW TO SPOT PEOPLE AT RISK
Around
4,400 people end their own lives in the UK each year - that's one death every
two hours - and at least 10 times that number attempt suicide.
The
International Association for Suicide Prevention says: "Suicidal behaviour
is a complex phenomenon that usually occurs along a continuum, progressing from
suicidal thoughts, to planning, to attempting suicide, and finally dying by
suicide."
A
suicidal person may not ask for help, but that doesn't mean that help isn't
wanted.
Most
people who commit suicide don't want to die - they just want to stop hurting.
Suicide
prevention starts with recognising the warning signs and taking them seriously.
If
you think a friend or family member is considering suicide, you might be afraid
to bring up the subject. But talking openly about suicidal thoughts and
feelings can save a life.
SPOTTING
THE SIGNS:
Talking
about suicide
Any
talk about suicide, dying, or self-harm, such as "I wish I hadn't been
born", "If I see you again..." and "I'd be better off
dead".
Seeking
out lethal means
Seeking
access to guns, pills, knives or other objects that could be used in a suicide
attempt.
Preoccupation
with death
Unusual
focus on death, dying, or violence. Writing poems or stories about death.
No
hope for the future
Feelings
of helplessness, hopelessness, and being trapped ("There's no way
out"). Belief that things will never get better or change.
Self-loathing,
self-hatred
Feelings
of worthlessness, guilt, shame, and self-hatred. Feeling like a burden
("Everyone would be better off without me").
Getting
affairs in order
Making
out a will. Giving away prized possessions. Making arrangements for family
members.
Saying
goodbye
Unusual
or unexpected visits or calls to family and friends. Saying goodbye to people
as if they won't be seen again.
Withdrawing
from others
Withdrawing
from friends and family. Increasing social isolation. Desire to be left alone.
Self-destructive
behaviour
Increased
alcohol or drug use, reckless driving, unsafe sex. Taking unnecessary risks as
if they have a "death wish."
Sudden
sense of calm
A
sudden sense of calm and happiness after being extremely depressed can mean
that the person has made a decision to commit suicide.
For
more information on what to do if you think someone is suicidal go to
helpguide.org.
For
confidential support call the Samaritans in the UK on 08457 90 90 90 or visit a
local Samaritans branch.
“If
you know someone who’s depressed, please resolve never to ask them why.
Depression isn’t a straightforward response to a bad situation; depression just
is, like the weather.
Try
to understand the blackness, lethargy, hopelessness, and loneliness they’re
going through. Be there for them when they come through the other side. It’s
hard to be a friend to someone who’s depressed, but it is one of the kindest,
noblest, and best things you will ever do.”
Stephen Fry
Yours
in His Grace
Blair
Humphreys
Southport,
Merseyside
