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Suicide is the second leading cause of death among teens in Nebraska
FINDING THE BALANCE
Local psychiatrists are reaching out to schools in an attempt to change the statistic. students admitted to attempting suicide at least once. One out of every nine students made a plan to end his or her life, and one out of every seven students seriously considered suicide. “In Nebraska, the suicide rate for teens is nine out of 100,000 people,” Sullivan said. “It’s the second most common cause of death in the state among 15 to 24-year-olds. The top is accidents.” The rate in Lincoln County is worse than the state average — ending up at 16 out of 100,000 people. “I don’t know why that is. My guess is drugs,” Sullivan said. “Lincoln Count y’s rate is not the highest in Nebraska, but the counties around it all have lower rates.” By HEATHER JOHNSON hjohnson@nptelegraph.com Books about suicide prevention started going out this week to area high schools. Great Plains Psychiatric Services distributed them to help school officials identify and react to warning signs before a suicide occurs. “Having a network open to the idea that something could be happening here and open to addressing it is crucial,” said Dr. Randall Sullivan, board certified psychiatrist. “Schools are a big component of intervening. If they have a plan of action in place, it could make all the difference.” Statistics in the book include those from a Youth Risk Behavior Survey. One out of every 53 high school students surveyed reported having made a suicide attempt serious enough to require medical attention. The data also showed one out of every 16 high school
According to Sullivan, some but not all cases are preventable. “Most people who successfully commit suicide don’t tell anyone beforehand,” Sullivan said. “Others will drop hints or exhibit certain behaviors.” He said at-risk teens tend to have increased complaints about physical ailments, such as headaches or fatigue. They may become isolated and depressed, have anxiety, give away personal items, lose interest in hobbies, have no appetite, experience changes in sleep patterns and receive failing grades in school. “Alcohol increases the risk of suicide quite a bit,” Sullivan said. “When people are intoxicated, they aren’t thinking straight. Probably one-third of teens who commit suicide are drunk at the time.” Teens who use drugs, have been bullied or abused, have a family history of suicide, have been in trouble with the law, who struggle in school and who have low self-esteem, are also at-risk.
“Suicide is a very complicated thing because many times biological vulnerability and environmental factors both play into it,” Sullivan said. “Exactly how they intertwine is not always known. People kill themselves for all sorts of reasons.” According to Sullivan, the most common reason is that people think they are worthless and a burden on everyone else. Others may suffer from humiliation. “Trying to identif y the right person for the right intervention is challenging,” Sullivan said. “Most kids will listen if their kids are straightforward about the issue.” He recommends parents stay informed of who their children are hanging out with and what they are doing. Behavior patterns should be monitored, and if a teen is exhibiting signs of being at-risk, the family doctor should be contacted. “People who make threats of suicide usually end up doing it,” Sullivan said. “Parents can’t be afraid to address the issue. If they think something is wrong, they need to act on it.” He said restricting access to firearms is important. “Most suicides in North Platte and the surrounding area are the result of guns or hanging,” Sullivan said. “Some are overdoses.” He cautions that people also need to realize they can only do so much. Intervention efforts might not help at all. In other cases, there may be no signs that they need to intervene. “Sometimes people get so delusional and fixated on suicide that they can’t be talked out of it,” Sullivan said. “The ones that do it as a spur of the moment thing are harder to predict. The majority of people who commit suicide, however, have been thinking about it for awhile.”
3 • FINDING THE BALANCE
FINDING THE BALANCE
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Mental Health Myths and Facts Mental Health Problems Affect Everyone Myth: Mental health problems don't affect me. Fact:
Mental health problems are actually very common. In 2011, about: •One in five American adults experienced a mental health issue •One in 10 young people experienced a period of major depression •One in 20 Americans lived with a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression
people with mental health problems are highly active and productive members of our communities. Myth: People with mental health needs, even those who are managing their mental illness, cannot tolerate the stress of holding down a job. Fact: People with mental health problems are just as productive as other employees. Employers who hire people with mental health problems report good attendance and punctuality as well as motivation, good work, and job tenure on par with or greater than other employees. When employees with mental health problems receive effective treatment, it can result in:
Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. It accounts for the loss of more than 38,000 American lives each year, more than double the number of lives lost to homicide. Learn more about mental health problems.
•Lower total medical costs •Increased productivity •Lower absenteeism •Decreased disability costs
Myth: Children don't experience mental health problems. Fact:
Even very young children may show early warning signs of mental health concerns. These mental health problems are often clinically diagnosable, and can be a product of the interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors.
Myth: Personality weakness or character flaws cause mental health problems. People with mental health problems can snap out of it if they try hard enough. Fact:
Half of all mental health disorders show first signs before a person turns 14 years old, and three quarters of mental health disorders begin before age 24. Unfortunately, less than 20% of children and adolescents with diagnosable mental health problems receive the treatment they need. Early mental health support can help a child before problems interfere with other developmental needs.
Mental health problems have nothing to do with being lazy or weak and many people need help to get better. Many factors contribute to mental health problems, including: •Biological factors, such as genes, physical illness, injury, or brain chemistry •Life experiences, such as trauma or a history of abuse •Family history of mental health problems
People with mental health problems can get better and many recover completely. Helping Individuals with Mental Health Problems
Myth: People with mental health problems are violent and unpredictable. Fact:
The vast majority of people with mental health problems are no more likely to be violent than anyone else. Most people with mental illness are not violent and only 3%-5% of violent acts can be attributed to individuals living with a serious mental illness. In fact, people with severe mental illnesses are over 10 times more likely to be victims of violent crime than the general population. You probably know someone with a mental health problem and don't even realize it, because many
Myth: There is no hope for people with mental health problems. Once a friend or family member develops mental health problems, he or she will never recover. Fact:
Studies show that people with mental health problems get better and many recover completely. Recovery refers to the process in which people are able to live, work, learn, and participate fully in their communities. There are more treatments, services, and community
Fact:
Treatment for mental health problems varies depending on the individual and could include medication, therapy, or both. Many individuals work with a support system during the healing and recovery process.
Myth: I can't do anything for a person with a mental health problem. Fact:
Friends and loved ones can make a big difference. Only 38% of adults with diagnosable mental health problems and less than 20% of children and adolescents receive needed treatment. Friends and family can be important influences to help someone get the treatment and services they need by: •Reaching out and letting them know you are available to help •Helping them access mental health services •Learning and sharing the facts about mental health, especially something that isn't true •Treating them with respect, just as you would anyone else •Refusing to define them by their diagnosis or using labels such as "crazy"
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Myth: Prevention doesn’t work. It is impossible to prevent mental illnesses. Fact:
Prevention of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders focuses on addressing known risk factors such as exposure to trauma that can affect the chances that children, youth, and young adults will develop mental health problems. Promoting the social-emotional wellbeing of children and youth leads to: •Higher overall productivity •Better educational outcomes •Lower crime rates •Stronger economies •Lower health care costs •Improved quality of life •Increased lifespan •Improved family life
Emergency Medical Services - 911 If the situation is potentially life-threatening, get immediate emergency assistance by calling 911, available 24 hours a day. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-TALK (8255) If you or someone you know is suicidal or in emotional distress, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Site exit disclaimer. Trained crisis workers are available to talk 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Your confidential and toll-free call goes to the nearest crisis center in the Lifeline national network. These centers provide crisis counseling and mental health referrals. SAMHSA Treatment Referral Helpline – 1-877-SAMHSA7 (1-877-726-4727) Get general information on mental health and locate treatment services in your area. Speak to a live person, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST.
hear
MS — Master of Science degree CPC — Certified Professional Counselor LIMHP — Independent Mental Health Practitioner LMHP — Licensed Mental Health Practitioner MA — Master of Arts PsyD — Doctorate of Psychology BS — Bachelor of Science LADC — Licenced Alcohol and Drug Counselor PhD — Doctorate of Philosophy PLMHP — Provisionally Licensed Mental Health Practitioner PLADC — Provisional Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor CMFT — Certified Marriage and Family Therapist LMFT — Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist — Source: The Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services, dhhs.ne.gov
5 • FINDING THE BALANCE
Mental Health Myths and Facts
GET IMMEDIATE HELP
FINDING THE BALANCE
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Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) By SHERI SHORE Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has been brought to the forefront in the past by returning Veterans of War who experience extreme trauma and stress related to their exposure to actual events or witnessing of situations where death, serious injury and extreme abuse occur. Symptoms include distressing memories and dreams of the event, flashbacks, anger outbursts or irritabilit y, exaggerated startle responses, high emotion and difficult y processing through the experience. "This diagnosis is now being utilized for events such as a sexual assault, witnessing others being abused, childhood events and first responders in death or exposure to victims", reported Shari Shore, of Family Matters Counseling Services of North Platte, a licensed mental health therapist. These events can change the way people think, act and feel towards themselves, others and the world in
general. Treatment for PTSD can include learning relaxation techniques, learning to decrease anxiety and talking through the experience to better cope with the symptoms. Some neurologists have suggested that PTSD and trauma are the primary causes of many mental health conditions. "People don't always realize that their past ways of coping or surviving trauma may get in the way of them dealing with life's ups and downs today", Shore states. Mental health counseling is recommended for individuals who are having difficulty coping with day to day stressors triggered by past abuse and help them learn to manage their reactions in a healthier way. "People can learn to break out of their victim stance and become survivors and thrivers in their present lives again after a trauma," Shore stressed. For more information on PTSD and treatment contact your local mental health center or Family Matters Counseling Services at (308) 534-3351.
Mental Health Treatment By LIZ MCCUE liz.mccue@nptelegraph.com
counseling, substance abuse counseling, psychiatric assistance for medication, etc.
Seeking treatment for mental health illnesses is never easy. Nor is treating it.
Region II works with several different organizations to provide help in 17 counties. Along with partnering with Great Plains Health for emergency protective custody, which is used if a person threatens to harm themselves or others, Region II works with Lutheran Family Services for outpatient programs.
But for several organizations in the North Platte area, treatment of an illness is just one piece in assessing the needs of the person seeking help. For some, it might be battling addiction. For others, it could be trauma from past experiences. Sometimes it’s both, said Kathy Seacrest, regional administrator of Nebraska’s Region II Human Services. Seacrest said there can be both situational and biological aspects to mental health, and treatment involves finding how both impact an individual. “I think more and more, our world is understanding that mental illness is an illness,” Seacrest said. She said she thinks it is easier now for people to seek treatment — that the stigma attached to mental illness has decreased. There are more options available for treatment, if a person needs relationship
LFS provides professional counseling services for North Platte, from marriage counseling to emergency support. They run the Josiah Place, a 10-room apartment building for clients with chronic mental illness and low income. It opened in 2007. LFS also provides therapy for general mental health illnesses, those affected by sexual abuse and those facing substance or gambling addictions. The programs and services offered across North Platte vary from specific to general. Seacrest said if they’re in the Yellow Pages, the office will have certified counselors or therapists.
Nearly everyone feels down at one point or another. But when feelings of sadness stretch on and are accompanied by other symptoms, normal sadness might have given way to depression. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate depression affects one in 10 American adults at different levels, while Statistics Canada says around 5 percent of Canadians have reported symptoms that meet the criteria for a mood disorder, including depression. Many sufferers of depression believe it is a personal weakness and something they should be able to control, but mood disorders are recognized mental illnesses that say nothing about a person's strength of character. Often brought on unexpectedly, mood disorders like depression cannot be traced to a single root cause. Many within the medical community believe depression is genetic, and oftentimes doctors treating patients for depression discover a history of depression among their patients' immediate family members. Many different genes may act in combination to cause a mood disorder. In 2011, a British team isolated a gene that appears to be prevalent in families in which multiple members suffer from depression. The chromosome, 3p25-26, was found in more than 800 families with recurrent depression. External factors also can play a role in the onset of depression. According to the CDC, certain groups are more likely to meet criteria for depression than others. These include women, people ages 45-64, African-Americans, Hispanics, and people with less than a high school education. There are unique symptoms associated with depression. Not every person with this mood disorder will exhibit each and every symptom, but the following symptoms appearing together is often an indicator of depression: * feelings of sadness and loss * feelings of irritability * loss of pleasure in usually enjoyed activities * changes in sleeping patterns, such as insomnia or sleeping too much * difficulty concentrating * frequent headaches * noticeable lack of motivation * anxiety and panic attacks * withdrawal from friends and family * inability to make decisions * recurring thoughts of suicide or self-harm People exhibiting symptoms of depression should first reach out to their primary care physicians, who can begin a preliminary diagnosis and look for symptoms indicative of
depression. A doctor also can perform blood work to rule out other conditions that may be contributing to problems with mood, such as hormonal changes or illnesses. Some doctors may refer patients to a mental health professional who is much more qualified to treat mood disorders. A mental health professional will likely conduct an interview with the patient and pay considerable attention to the patient's medical history. Gaining a stronger grasp of a patient's symptoms enables doctors to prescribe the most effective courses of treatment. Treatments range from medication to talk therapy to cognitive-behavioral therapy. Those who do not respond to more conventional treatments can discuss further options with their doctors. Patients who are prescribed an antidepressant medication should expect several weeks to pass before the medication is fully effective. Antidepressants are not universally effective, and people being treated for depression or another mood disorder should not grow discouraged if one course of treatment is ineffective. Many treatment options are available to people with mood disorders. Those who think they may be suffering from depression should first remember that they are not alone. Millions of people have depression at points in their lives or may experience recurrences of the condition. Visiting a doctor promptly can help sufferers of mood disorders address their conditions more quickly.
FINDING THE BALANCE
Get on the road to recovery by identifying depression
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Gothenburg women spearheads local programs. By JOB VIGIL jvigil@nptelegraph.com
“A couple of years had gone by when Mitch had confided in me again. He said he was an alcoholic and was asking for help.”
Creating awareness and looking for solutions to help prevent suicide is the theme for the Walk to Prevent Suicide on Sept. 27.
Murphy went into rehab at that time and following rehab, once again his family thought everything was under control.
Statistics from the Out of the Darkness website show that suicide claimed 39,518 lives in 2011 in the United States. Suicide attempts are made every minute of every day across the country and the effort to raise money for research and education programs is ongoing. One such fundraiser is coming up at Centennial Park in North Platte.
“But on Sept. 20, 1995, the horrible truth had presented itself in a way no one could have thought or even dreamed could be possible,” Millard shares. “I had gone to the store to get a few things for dinner because some friends were coming over. So, on my way back I drove by Mitch’s to say hello and like any other time, we visited for a few minutes and in his usual fashion, he gave me a big hug and said, ‘I love you little sister,’ and I will see you later.
“I lost my brother to suicide 19 years ago,” said Melissa Millard, chairperson for local walk and field advocate for suicide prevention. “Fifteen years after my brother, I lost a cousin and 60 days later I lost my cousin’s friend to suicide in 2010. So, I decided that if I had that many suicides that touched my life, there were other people out there who were experiencing the same.” Millard, of Gothenburg, goes to Washington, D.C., every year to lobby for suiciden prevention and mental health bills. She also goes to the Nebraska state Legislature to encourage legislation for education on these subjects. Millard has helped push through bill LB 923, which will be effective for the school year 2015-16. The legislation requires Nebraska school districts to provide suicide awareness and prevention training for counselors, administration, teachers and other appropriate personnel. “My goals are to try and spend more time educating and bringing awareness,” Millard said. “This is the first step. With this education bill that passed, [the state] is re-doing our training. I will be able to go into youth groups and schools and I’m looking forward to the education and using the same program the state has approved for the educators.” The goal of the suicide prevention and awareness community is to reduce suicide by 20 percent by 2018. The Out of the Darkness walk is one program that is a nationwide effort to help accomplish that goal. On Sept. 10, Millard went before a congressional staff briefing sponsored by Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) titled, “Realizing the Promis of Mental Health and Substance Use Parity: New Tools for Navigating Mental Health Coverage.” The panel included Patrick Kennedy,
“Little did I know that it would be the last time I would see him alive again.”
Mitch Murphy, shown in this undated photo, committed suicide on Sept. 20, 1995. The circumstances leading up to the tragic event were difficult on his family to assess. His sister, Melissa Millard, of Gothenburg, is an advocate for suicide prevention and awareness and she speaks regularly to the Nebraska state Legislature and the U.S. Congress on the subject.
former U.S. Representative and founder of the Kennedy Forum; Chuck Ingoglia, senior vice president of Public Police and Pracitce Improvement, National Council for Behavioral Health; and Robert Gebbia, chief executive officer of American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Since the loss of her brother, Millard said her family has drifted apart due the feelings of loss, blame, confusion and resentment of not being able to help him when he needed it the most. “My family’s lives will never be the same without Mitch,” Millard says in closing her presentation to the panel. “But I hope that through our tragedy, I can bring awareness and prevention to others in my community.”
North Platte 4th Annual Out of the Darkness Community Walk
Millard shared the story of her brother, Mitch Murphy. “Mitch was a very loving person and would give the shirt off his back to help a friend,” Millard states in her presentation. “He would often find peace in fishing or spending quality time with his son. Throughout his life, he had many ups and downs but no matter how bad it got, he always found a way to rise above it. “Mitch’s battle with depression started before he was 16,” Millard says. “One night while we were home, I walked in and saw him sitting on his bed with a gun in his mouth. He started crying and said he wanted to end his life. I took the gun away from him and promised not to tell our parents. Well, I told them immediately. He started getting counseling and was put on medication. At that time, my family thought he had his depression under control.
Saturday, Sept. 27 Registration: 9-10 a.m. Walk: 10 a.m. to noon *Online registration closes at noon (local time) the Friday before the walk. However, anyone who would like to participate can register in person at the walk during the check-in times listed above. Walk donations are accepted until Dec. 31. The Out of the Darkness Community Walks are the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s (AFSP) signature fundraising campaign, bringing together family, friends, colleagues, and supporters at 3-5 mile walks in hundreds of communities across the country.