The Kim Foundation Blog features insights, news and resources on mental health and suicide prevention. Check back often to stay updated and informed.
It’s hard to believe that 2015 is coming to a close and that 2016 is upon us. This year has been full of great accomplishments and memorable moments meeting families impacted by mental illness and suicide, as well as interacting with partners who are carrying out impactful work in this field.
According to the American Association of Suicidology, there is a suicide in the United States every 12.8 minutes. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for individuals ages 15-24 years old, and it is the 10th leading cause of death overall (AAS.org). While other causes of death have decreased due to advances in medicine and technology, suicide sadly has not.
As 2015 is winding down, I wanted to take a moment and reflect on the many successes that the Metro Area LOSS Team has accomplished during its first year.
The Atlantic published an article by Hanna Rosin entitled “The Silicon Valley Suicides: Why are so many kids with bright futures killing themselves in Palo Alto?” Rosin paints a picture of a place of affluence, success, and high expectations. However, at Gunn High School in Palo Alto, California, the 10 year suicide rate is four to five times the national average.
After a very successful 2015, Region 6 Behavioral Healthcare is heading out again to promote Mental Health First Aid courses throughout the region. This coming year they will have some new offerings. Region 6 is now able to offer the specialized Youth Mental Health First Aid curriculum in addition to the adult curriculum courses already available.
Society has deemed displays of emotion as weak and non-masculine, so it is no wonder that when young men feel depressed, they mask their emotions. Young men often exhibit depression through behaviors rather than emotion.
We can barely escape Halloween before we begin to see the Christmas classics playing on TV, twinkle lights brightening up our favorite department stores, and the constant reminders that the holiday season has arrived. It is supposed to be the happiest season of all, but for many, the holidays are anything but jolly.
Gratitude . . . a word that we hear often, but may not put into practice enough. I know that I certainly don’t. That is one of my goals moving forward, to live with more intentional gratitude. Thanksgiving is the perfect time to reflect on all of the things that we are grateful for in our lives, but I would encourage all of us to continue our gratitude and thankfulness well beyond this holiday season; because as the saying goes, “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.”
The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2015 was introduced in February 2015, by Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), along with Representatives Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI), and Tim Ryan (D-OH).
Recently there have been headlines about actress Hayden Penettierre’s struggle with Postpartum Depression. Not unlike clinical depression, it is often a mental disorder that is misunderstood and is often left untreated.
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