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| contacts:
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Older Adults-Fuqua Center for Late-Life Depression 404.728.6302
Georgia Crises & Access Line 1.800.715.4225 Prayer Hotline 678.405.2444 For more information or to schedule a speaker for your group, please contact Marti Vogt, 678.405.2277 Free mental health assessments are offered at Peachford Hospital and Ridgeview Hospital. |
| things you can do: | Listen
Ask about it if you recognize signs and let them know that you care and don’t want them to die. Find out if they have a Plan for suicide (if they do, this makes it more lethal) Help them search out alternatives Stay with the person if they are at high risk Get others involved who are potentially helpful Let them know help is available 24/7 Offer to take them to counseling Pray for them and let them know it. Know that early intervention is the key to success! |
| things you can say to help:
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See It-Say It (From Minnesota Institute of Public Health)
When a friend or family member engages in risky, unhealthy, or suicidal behaviors here is a simple caring, but assertive way to talk to them.
(From Sources of Strength, Inc.) |
| why seek counseling?
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Counseling makes sense when you
are having trouble coping with any situation or personal problem. It
offers emotional support, new perspectives, and help in considering
possible solutions.
So if you just want someone to talk to, are having a lot of changes, are in distress or feel overwhelmed by a concern, or find that you keep repeating the same mistakes, then you might consider counseling. Some people don‘t succeed at counseling at first because of fear of change, unwillingness to deal with their problems, or it was not the right counselor for them. Often, people do not present the problem as it truly is but instead pick and choose what they wish to share. Some want the counselor to do an instant fix or do the work for them. While some individuals who seek counseling services may have serious problems, it is also recommended for any life challenge and adjustment issues that a person may face. The role of the counselor is not to “tell” you what to do, but rather, to present informed choices, direct you to resources, supply you with information that you may not readily have and also support you in understanding how to meet your needs. Weakness is actually the feeling that you can have when you are overwhelmed and are not getting help. It takes courage and strength to be able to get the help that you need. (From Savannah State University) |
| sources of strength:
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This is a check list of things that you must be doing to keep your mental health in check:
Which Sources of strength do you feel need to be strengthed? If you were going to pick one or two to strengthen in the next two weeks, which would they be? |
| do not:
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Deny the persons feelings
Falsely reassure them Challenge them Not take seriously Don’t keep it a secret (better to lose a friendship than a friend) |
| facts:
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Approximately 30,000 people complete suicide in the United States each
year. Researchers tell us that this figure may be three times greater
because of inaccurate reporting.
Depressive illness can prevent a person from thinking clearly. Depression can be treated. In order to save lives, we must recognize warning signs. Stigma associated with depression can deter a person from getting help. More men die by suicide than women More women attempt suicide Talking about suicide does not give people ideas. It actually opens up communication and lets them know that you are comfortable hearing about it. 80% of people who complete suicide give warning signs Suicide and depression can touch anyone Suicidal people are not crazy, that is a cruel word. Most are just depressed. Depression can be treated with or without medication depending on the nature and other factors Suicide is not contagious, however, depression and mental illness can be inherited |