A suicide prevention safety plan is a written set of instructions that you create for yourself as a contingency plan should you begin to experience thoughts about harming yourself. It will contain a series of gradually escalating steps that you will follow, proceeding from one step to the next, until […]
“If you don’t do things to keep your cup full, you have nothing left to give others.” This seems like a pretty practical and obvious “life lesson”. Unfortunately, it’s all too easy to forget when you’re caring for a someone experiencing suicidal ideation. It seems impossible to think of self-care […]
Everyone has felt afraid of something at one point or another. A phobia, however, is very different from normal fear and can be quite difficult to overcome. According to healthline.com, “A phobia is an excessive and irrational fear reaction. If you have a phobia, you may experience a deep sense […]
Listen to Peer Support Specialist Drew Hahn discuss the isolation faced by many mental health patients. Drew talks frankly about his own struggles with mental illness, his experience as a suicide attempt survivor and the need for greater awareness of mental health issues.
Listen to Drew Hahn describe the role of Peer Support Specialists (PSS’s) in Mental Health. A PSS offers clients the opportunity to talk to someone who has shared the experience of mental illness. A Peer Support Specialist isn’t a therapist and doesn’t take the place of one. However, a PSS […]
Most people associate youth suicides with the teenage years, but pre-teens are also vulnerable. In 2018, suicide was the second leading cause of death for children aged 10 to 14 in the United States. It’s important for parents to be prepared to discuss suicidal ideation with preteens as well as older adolescents. […]
Sometimes a caregiving situation is short-lived, for instance when an injury or illness heals quickly. At other times, caregiving can last for years, or even decades. No two caregiving journeys are exactly the same. Caregiving challenges can include: Sleep deprivation. Having a living space that is cluttered with medical equipment. Being obliged to take someone else’s special diet into consideration at every meal. Being responsible […]
A 2007 study involving interviews with 153 attempt survivors revealed that most suicidal crises are short-lived. Participants were asked how long they thought about suicide before making their attempt. The results were: Less than 5 minutes: 24% 5 to 19 minutes: 24% 2-8 hours: 16% 1 or more days: 13% Another […]
Teens are famous for having moods that go up and down. When the “downs” become the norm, however, parents need to ask themselves: “Is this a normal mood swing? Or is it clinical depression?” Symptoms of depression include: Sadness Irritability An abnormal decline in school performance Losing interest in activities […]
Financial Stress of Farming Say the word “farmer” and many people picture a guy in a ball cap driving a shiny new tractor across a lush green field on a sunny spring day. While these sorts of days happen, they are the exception rather than the rule. Weather, finances and […]
