Suicide Awareness

Millions of Americans suffer from anxiety and depression. Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Also called a major depressive disorder or clinical depression, it affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. You may have trouble doing normal day-to-day activities, and sometimes you may feel as if life isn't worth living. 

More than just about the blues, depression isn't a weakness and you can't simply "snap out" of it. Depression may require long-term treatment.    

Depression and anxiety are real and the percentage of people affected is rising daily.  

The psychological symptoms of depression include: 

• continuous low mood or sadness 
• feeling hopeless and helpless 
• having low self-esteem 
• feeling tearful 
• feeling guilt-ridden 
• feeling irritable and intolerant of others 
• having no motivation or interest in things 
• finding it difficult to make decisions 
• not getting any enjoyment out of life 
• feeling anxious or worried 
• having suicidal thoughts or thoughts of harming yourself 

The psychological symptoms for anxiety include: 

• Feeling nervous, restless or tense. 
• Having a sense of impending danger, panic or doom. 
• Having an increased heart rate. 
• Breathing rapidly (hyperventilation) 
• Sweating. 
• Trembling. 
• Feeling weak or tired. 
• Trouble concentrating or thinking about anything other than the present worry. 

Symptoms of both conditions usually improve with psychological counseling (psychotherapy), medications, such as antidepressants, or both. Lifestyle changes, such as improving sleep habits, increasing social support, using stress-reduction techniques, or getting regular exercise, also may help. If you have either condition, avoid alcohol, smoking, and recreational drugs. They can make both conditions worse and interfere with treatment.   

Unfortunately, depression and anxiety can lead to thoughts of suicide.  

Individual Impact: 

• 78% of all people who die by suicide are male. 
• Although more women than men attempt suicide, men are nearly 4x more likely to die by suicide. 
• Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10–34 and the 10th leading cause of death overall in the U.S. 
• The overall suicide rate in the U.S. has increased by 35% since 1999. 
• 46% of people who die by suicide had a diagnosed mental health condition.

While nearly half of individuals who die by suicide have a diagnosed mental health condition, research shows that 90% experienced symptoms. 

Community Impact: 

Annual prevalence of serious thoughts of suicide, by U.S. demographic group: 

• 4.8% of all adults 
• 11.8% of young adults aged 18-25 
• 18.8% of high school students 
• 46.8% of lesbian, gay, and bisexual high school students 
• Some of the highest rates of suicide in the U.S. are among American Indian/Alaska Native and non-Hispanic white communities. 
• Lesbian, gay and bisexual youth are 4x more likely to attempt suicide than straight youth. 
• Transgender adults are nearly 12x more likely to attempt suicide than the general population. 
• Suicide is the leading cause of death for people held in local jails. 

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and Sept. 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day. Suicidal thoughts, although common, should not be considered normal and often indicate more serious issues. 

Our goal is to ensure that individuals, friends, and families have access to the resources they need to discuss suicide prevention and to seek help. 

The truth is, we can all benefit from honest conversations about mental health conditions and suicide because just one conversation can change a life.

If you or a loved one suffer from anxiety or depression please contact Forward Care Family Practice today at 602-718-1962 for treatment or schedule an appointment by visiting our website www.fwdcare.com. We are here to help!