September is SUICIDE prevention month.

Depression is a real thing and know there is treatment for it; know what considerations with red flags to look for and what the key factor is for the person who has depression must have to take the first step in controlling it if not resolving depression completely.

Treatments

Treatment for anger and depression is based on the risk factors present, and is individualized for your specific needs. Treatment may include group therapy to discuss and rationalize anger, stress management exercises or even medications. Learning what causes anger and what can be done to avoid becoming angry are among the main focuses of treatment. Also important is learning what to do when becoming angry, and positive ways to focus feelings instead of becoming aggressive in response.

Considerations

It’s important to consider all options when deciding to deal with feelings of depression and anger. A physician can make recommendations as to which type of treatment may be best, or he can refer individuals to someone else. People shouldn’t be embarrassed or feel inadequate because they need help but should focus on the strength shown to solicit the help.

Warnings

Constant feelings of anger and depression can have a negative effect on overall health. People who are depressed and angry more than most are much more likely to suffer from heart-related problems. Anyone who experiences thoughts of harming themselves or suicide should contact a physician immediately for the appropriate treatment.  If you know someone who maybe with this REACH OUT and SPEAK UP to someone significant to that individual and bring that person to an expert to help this individual.  Look what happen to Robin Williams but alcoholism was the key factor in this unique talented man’s cause of suicide, by media.  Now lets look at the average American; the majority of us are not millionaires to billionaires who have everything financially going for us and more.  Now unless the millionaire or billionaire puts themselves in a situation that they gamble their money away and lose everything remember they could have put away a safe chest of money if that happened but if not done that was their choice.  Unfortunately they have to deal with that poor judgment call caused a crash financially but life does not have to be over.   It is the choice of everyone at an adult age (21 y/o and up)  in where they let their  money go but to those not in that situation  going through depression its up to you to make your priorities regarding what is most important to you and making them reachable.  That step to make priorities in what most important to you is all up to you starting it.  Those things bringing you down, reach out to yourself and list what is bringing you down and address them.  If its work search for something new but don’t walk out until you have s0mething new (but money doesn’t make you happy alone).  Again look at Robin Williams, who at one point had everything going for him.  If its your marriage well it takes not 1 but 2 to work on it.  One thing you both could do that would only help you understand each other better is both address their hurts, needs, desires with each other and if none to express to each other with both parties not wanting to work on it or ending line no resolution than part to allow each one live life to its fullest with letting misery start to heal.   If your in the scenario staying together just for the children if you think fighting and being unhappy in front of them all the time; you may want to think twice (their not blind).  If parting to stay on a friends note is better for everyone maybe that is the choice.  Of course without question if its stay together because of quilt or embarrassed in front of others if you split; just FYI these people are not blind in seeing you happy or unhappy with each other and over a long time of seeing the couple fight or unhappy they might even be thinking to themselves they wish you guys were so each individual could be possible happier.  The key factor in starting to figure out what’s best for yourself is to use self discipline and give yourself a chance to figure out the best way to go to resolve it or control it is get HELP.  Where the MD, or group, or psychologist, etc… can assist you whether the depression be alone or with a significant other you might be having depression over (Ex. Marriage).  Ending line if you could have resolved it on your own you wouldn’t still be in depression.   If this is the situation your in at this time of your life,  set up what your top 3 to 5 things most important in your life is that would make life better for you and DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT don’t stay in the dark hole!  Your just drowning yourself in misery.  It may sound easier than it actually is but it initially takes YOU to make the first move (if you can’t help yourself than who can you help-Noone).  So make yourself a happier individual to some extent to be a good impact to others or those who would want to be around you.  First to reach there its advised to go to a professional (from MD to counselor to group meetings but not simply yourself (its not recommended to try to resolve this on your own if this depression has been going on for a longtime or over 6mths after a devastating situation in your life.)  It’s better than doing nothing to allow yourself and others around you to be happier.  Good luck.

The current data available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.    In 2013, there were 41,149 deaths by suicide in the United States. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death; homicide ranks 16th.  It is the second leading cause of death for 15 – 24 year olds.  *                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         The chart above which shows the Ten Leading Causes of Death in the U.S. in 2013.  For more data, you may visit  www.cdc.gov or www.who.int.  For more comprehensive data, visit the CDC website’s Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS)

 

General Statistics

• Suicide is the 10^th leading cause of death in the US for all ages. (CDC)
• The suicide rates decreased from 1990-2000 from 12.5 suicides per 100,000 to 10.4 per 100,000.  Over the past decade, however, the rate has again increased to 12.1 per 100,000. Every day, approximately 105 Americans die by suicide. (CDC)
• There is one death by suicide in the US every 13 minutes. (CDC)
• Depression affects 20-25% of Americans ages 18+ in a given year. (CDC)
• Suicide takes the lives of over 38,000 Americans every year. (CDC)
• Only half of all Americans experiencing an episode of major depression receive treatment. (NAMI)
• 80% -90% of people that seek treatment for depression are treated successfully using therapy and/or medication. (TAPS study)
• An estimated quarter million people each year become suicide survivors (AAS).
• There is one suicide for every estimated 25 suicide attempts. (CDC)
• There is one suicide for every estimated 4 suicide attempts in the elderly. (CDC)

Gender Disparaties

• Suicide among males is 4x’s higher than among females. Male deaths represent 79% of all US suicides. (CDC)
• Firearms are the most commonly used method of suicide among males (51%). (CDC)
• Access to firearms is associated with a significantly increased risk of suicide. (NAMI)
• Females are more likely than males to have had suicidal thoughts. (CDC)
• Females experience depression at roughly 2x’s the rate of men.(SMH)
• Females attempt suicide 3x’s as often as males. (CDC)
• Poisoning is the most common method of suicide for females. (CDC)

Age Disparaties

• 1 in 100,000 children ages 10 to 14 die by suicide each year. (NIMH)
• 7 in 100,000 youth ages 15 to 19 die by suicide each year. (NIMH)
• 12.7 in 100,000 young adults ages 20-24 die by suicide each year. (NIMH)
• The prevalence of suicidal thoughts, suicidal planning and suicide attempts is significantly higher among adults aged 18-29 than among adults aged 30+. (CDC)
• Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for 15 to 24 year old Americans. (CDC)
• Suicide is the 4^th leading cause of death for adults ages 18-65. (CDC)
• The highest increase in suicide is in males 50+ (30 per 100,000). (CDC)
• Suicide rates for females are highest among those aged 45-54 (9 per 100,000). (CDC)
• Suicide rates for males are highest among those aged 75+ (36 per 100,000). (CDC)
• Suicide rates among the elderly are highest for those who are divorced or widowed. (SMH)

Racial and Ethnic Disparaties

• The highest suicide rates in the US are among Whites, American Indians and Alaska Natives.

Worldwide

• Over 800,000 people die by suicide every year.  (WHO)
• There is one death by suicide in the world every 40 seconds. (WHO)
• Suicide is the 3^rd leading cause of death in the world for those aged 15-44 years. (WHO)
• Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide. (WHO)

 

(Sources: CDC – Center for Disease Control, WHO – World Health Organization, AAS – American Association of Suicidology, NAMI- National Alliance on Mental Illness, NIMH – National Institute of Mental Health, SMH – Screening for Mental Health).