September 5, 2011

Hopeless & Suicide


Ever feel like you are the only one who is sad in a world of happy people? Everyone experiences stress, sadness and anxiety from time to time – it's part of life. Even Charlie Brown would hold his head and say "good grief" and pay a nickel a week for therapy sessions from a little girl in a booth on her front lawn. Charlie Brown’s situation may have been a source of our entertainment for over 50 years, but depression is one of the most common and serious issues in our society.
These feelings often happen when you lose a job, children move away from home, during divorce, with a death in the family, or during retirement. But when changes in mood and behavior interfere with one’s ability to work, sleep, eat, and enjoy pleasurable activities, it could be a sign of depression. National Depression Screening Day (NDSD) October 6th, gives people the opportunity to take a free, anonymous questionnaire assessing their risk for mood and anxiety disorders and provides referral information for treatment. Call the Community Christian Counseling Center (561)622-5423 to set up a free confidential assessment and referral. Or you could even visit www.HelpYourSelfHelpOthers.org to take a screening online today or go to their Facebook page located at: http://www.facebook.com/HelpYourselfHelpOthers?sk=wall .
The common misconception about depression is that it's not a serious issue. The word "depression" is sometimes used too loosely; it's used to describe a sad feeling in response to disappointment, loss, stress, etc. These are common situations, and a feeling of sadness is natural but depression can be more serious than that. It's a physical condition that can control your everyday life if you ignore the signs and don't seek help. 
 
You may be depressed if you feel hopeless or worthless or are losing interest in activities you used to enjoy. Maybe you've lost your appetite or you're having difficulty sleeping. You may have problems concentrating, may not have very much energy or perhaps find yourself constantly irritated by things that never used to upset you. You may have had thoughts that life isn't worth living and you might even have thought about how you would end it. If this is the case, you should seek help immediately. 
If you, or someone you know, is thinking about SUICIDE, there is help! The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK is available 24 hours a day, every day and is available to anyone. Family, friends and co-workers can be supportive and many companies have employee assistance programs for their employees free of charge. Talk to a professional, such as a therapist or counselor, to share your struggles and feelings. If you think someone is suicidal, do not leave them alone. Take them to the closest hospital emergency room or call 911 to keep them safe.

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