YOU recognise that someone you know, a friend or loved one, is not coping well, but don't have a clue as to what to say or do?
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It can be hard to know how to help someone you think might be depressed.
People with depression often donft see the point of seeking help. They may not even really see that there is a problem.
EVERYONE needs help sometimes. There is no shame in that.
Wednesday, September 10, is World Suicide Prevention Day.
Your mental health, and the mental health of those around you, is not something to be taken lightly or hidden away.
The 2535 suicides across Australia in 2012 were almost double that of road deaths (1310), according to the latest figures.
That equates to about seven lives lost each day.
It doesn't take into account the 62,000 Australian who attempted to end their own lives.
Depression has been identified as a major cause of suicide.
It is vitally important to manage stress successfully because long periods of stress place people at risk of developing depression or other mental illnesses.
Some coping techniques include:
- Staying connected with friends, family and community.
- Seeking good advice on business, finances and relationships, etc.
- Exercising, eating and sleeping well.
- Get help if you notice symptoms of depression, stress or not coping which last for longer than two weeks.
The following services might be helpful:
Visit your doctor and ask for a longer appointment so that you can discuss how you are feeling.
They may manage your care or refer you to a psychologist or counsellor.
Call the Murrumbidgee Local Health District AccessLine.
Available 24 hours, ever day of the year, on free number 1800 800 944. AccessLine provides a telephone-based risk assessment, triage, referral, consultation and support service.
Go to the hospital. The emergency department is open 24 hours a day and provides support for people with mental health issues and arranges emergency mental health assessments.
Local schools have to a counsellor or a MLHD Mental Health Clinician.
The Better Access to Mental Health Care Initiative is a free service.
Your doctor can refer you for six initial sessions with a counsellor. Those sessions are followed by a review, after which you can be referred for a further six or 12 counselling sessions.
The Murrumbidgee Local Health District AccessLine is the single point of access for local mental health services.
Depending on the identified risks and needs of the caller, AccessLine may send a referral to the local community mental health service, advise the caller to go to the nearest emergency department or refer to other appropriate services if mental health services are not required.
If extreme risk is identified, the qualified mental health professionals, also trained in drug and alcohol issues, who staff the service may call emergency services.
If you, or someone you know, is having thoughts of self-harm, ring AcessLine on 1800 800 944 or 000 or go to the local hospital's emergency department.
Here are a few tips that might prove helpful:
- Depressed people simply cannot snap out of it, cheer up or stay busy. Don't pressure them.
- Don't stay away or avoid them. Staying connected is very important to renewed mental health.
- Do not assume that the problem will just go away.
- Spend time listening to them talking about their experiences, but don't judge. Listening is enough.
- Indicate that you have noticed a change in their behaviour.
- Suggest they see a doctor or health professional and assist them make the appointment.
- Offer to go with them to the appointment or ask about it afterwards.
- Talk openly, using direct language, about depression. Don't tip-toe around the issue.
- Encourage them to become involved in social activities. Take them with you.
- Encourage them to exercise and eat well.
- Encourage other friends and family to adopt the same supportive approach.
ARE you OK?
It seems like such a simple question, yet it could be the one that stops someone taking that last step to taking their own life.
Suicide is not something that happens to other people’s families any more.
More and more, just like cancer, suicide is affecting families from all walks of life, regardless of race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, education or upbringing. People who commit suicide are not all drug-taking rock’n’rollers or from low socio-economic backgrounds.
Most of them are just like you – a father, mother, aunt, uncle, brother, sister, daughter, son, grandchild, farmer, student, doctor, gardener. The list goes on.
It is important to know how your friends and family are coping. Now is not the time to remain silent while they struggle with life. Make the time to ask if they are OK.
Rotary Club Griffith is sponsoring a breakfast at Peeches Coffee Terrace at Griffith Central on September 11, from 7.30am to 9.30am as part of R U OK Day.
Call Karen on 0400 298 579 or Greg on 6960 1100 to book in for a full breaky or a coffee and muffin.
Rope in a friend, enjoy a delicious breakfast and ask the question that could very well change a life.
IF YOU, or someone you know, has felt sad, down or miserable for a while recently or has lost interest or pleasure in usual activities for more than two weeks, and has experienced several of the signs and symptoms across at least three of the categories listed below, you may be depressed.
Everyone experiences some of these symptoms from time to time and it may not necessarily mean they are depressed.
Not every person experiencing depression will have all of the symptoms, either.
Behaviour:
- Not going out anymore
- Not getting things done at work/school
- Withdrawing from close family and friends
- Relying on alcohol or sedatives
- Not doing usual enjoyable activities
- Unable to concentrate
Feelings:
- Overwhelmed
- Guilty
- Irritable
- Frustrated
- Lacking in confidence
- Unhappy
- Indecisive
- Disappointed
- Miserable
- Sad
Thoughts:
- I'm a failure.
- It's my fault.
- Nothing good ever happens to me.
- I'm worthless.
- Life's not worth living.
- People would be better off without me.
Physical:
- Tired all the time.
- Sick and run down.
- Headaches and muscle pains.
- Churning gut.
- Sleep problems.
- Loss or change of appetite.
- Significant weight loss or gain.
