Adult Suicide Prevention
Men and Depression
An estimated six million men in the United States have a depressive disorder-major depression, dysthymia (chronic, less severe depression), or bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness) every year. (2004).
The facts about men and depression
An estimated six million men in the United States have a depressive disorder-major depression, dysthymia (chronic, less severe depression), or bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness)-every year. Although these illnesses are highly treatable, many men do not recognize, acknowledge, or seek help for their depression.While both men and women may develop the standard symptoms of depression, they often experience depression differently and may have different ways of coping. Men may be more willing to report fatigue, irritability, loss of interest in work or hobbies, and sleep disturbances rather than feelings of sadness, worthlessness, and excessive guilt, which are commonly associated with depression in women. Also, tragically, four times as many men as women die by suicide, even though women make more suicide attempts during their lives.
The truth is, depression is a real and treatable illness. It can strike at any age, from childhood into late life. With proper diagnosis and treatment, the vast majority of men with depression can be helped.
What makes depression different from the blues?
Depression is a serious medical condition that involves the body, mood, and thoughts. It affects how you eat and sleep. It alters your self-perception. It changes the way you think and feel. Men with a depressive illness can't just "snap out of it" or "pull themselves together," because depression isn't the same as a passing mood. Left untreated, depression may last for weeks, months, or years at a time.Depressive illnesses can make routine tasks unbearably difficult. Pleasures that make life worth living-watching a football game, playing with children, even making love-can be drained of joy. Depression brings pain and disruption not only to the person who has it, but also to his family and others who care about him.
If you are experiencing some of the following symptoms, you may have a depressive illness. Ask yourself if you are feeling: sad or "empty"; irritable or angry; guilty or worthless; pessimistic or hopeless; tired or "slowed down"; restless or agitated; like no one cares about you; or like life is not worth living. You may also: sleep more or less than usual; eat more or less than usual; have persistent headaches, stomachaches or chronic pain; have trouble concentrating, remembering things or making decisions; lose interest in work or hobbies; or lose interest in sex.
If these symptoms are familiar, it's time to talk with your doctor. Depression is a real, medical illness that can be successfully treated, most often with medication, psychotherapy ("talk" therapy), or a combination of both. Support from family and friends plays an important role as well.
It takes courage to ask for help
The feelings and behaviors that are part of depression can hinder a person's ability to seek help. In addition, men in particular may find it difficult to admit depressive symptoms and ask for help. It's important to remember, however, that depression is a real, treatable illness and is nothing to be ashamed about.Thanks to years of research, a variety of effective treatments including medications and short-term psychotherapies are available for depressive disorders. Treatment choice will depend on the patient's diagnosis, severity of symptoms, and preference. In general, severe depressive illnesses, particularly those that are recurrent, will require a combination of treatments for the best outcome.
If you are feeling depressed, tell someone about your symptoms. Speak with a doctor, nurse, psychologist, social worker, or employee assistance professional. Asking for help takes courage, but it can make all the difference.
If you are in crisis and need to speak to someone, call Crisis Intervention Service (NC): 302-577-2484; (KE/SU): 800-652-2929.
Risk Factors for Suicide
- Psychiatric Disorders
At least 90 percent of people who kill themselves have a diagnosable and treatable psychiatric illnesses -- such as major depression, bipolar depression, or some other depressive illness - Past History of Attempted Suicide
Between 20 and 50 percent of people who kill themselves had previously attempted suicide. Those who have made serious suicide attempts are at a much higher risk for actually taking their lives. - Genetic Predisposition
Family history of suicide, suicide attempts, depression or other psychiatric illness. - Neurotransmitters
A clear relationship has been demonstrated between low concentrations of the serotonin metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleactic acid (5-HIAA) in cerebrospinal fluid and an increased incidence of attempted and completed suicide in psychiatric patients. - Impulsivity
Impulsive individuals are more apt to act on suicidal impulses. - Demographics
Sex: Males are three to five times more likely to commit suicide than females.
Age: Elderly Caucasian males have the highest suicide rates
Warning Signs of Suicide
- Observable signs of serious depression:
Unrelenting low mood
Pessimism
Hopelessness
Desperation
Anxiety, psychic pain and inner tension
Withdrawal
Sleep problems - Increased alcohol and/or other drug use
- Recent impulsiveness and taking unnecessary risks
- Threatening suicide or expressing a strong wish to die
- Making a plan:
Giving away prized possessions
Sudden or impulsive purchase of a firearm
Obtaining other means of killing oneself such as poisons or medications
VA Suicide Prevention Campaign Expands With On-Line Chat Service
On July 3, 2009, the Department of Veterans Affairs launched a pilot on-line Chat Service, in partnership with Lifeline. The Veterans Chat Service is located at the VA National Suicide Prevention Hotline.
Veterans Chat enables Veterans, their families and friends to go online where they can anonymously chat with a trained VA counselor. If the chats are determined to be a crisis, the counselor can take immediate steps to transfer the chatter to the VA Suicide Prevention Hotline, where further counseling and referral services are provided and crisis intervention steps can be taken.
The online feature is intended to reach out to all Veterans who may or may not be enrolled in the VA health care system and provide them with online access to the Suicide Prevention Lifeline and provides Veterans with an anonymous way to access VA’s suicide prevention services.
Veterans (and family members or friends) can access Veterans Chat through the Lifeline suicide prevention website.
The Veteran retains anonymity by entering whatever name they choose once they enter the one-on-one chat. They are then joined by a counselor who is trained to provide information and respond to the requests and concerns of the caller.
Chat responders are trained in an intervention method specifically developed for the Chat to assist people with emotional distress and concerns and we have procedures they can use to transfer chatters in crisis to the Hotline for more immediate assistance. If the Veteran is in crisis, the counselor will encourage the Veteran to provide a phone number, so that further crisis intervention and referral can be provided.
Since becoming operational, VA’s Suicide Prevention Hotline has received more than 150,000 calls, resulting in 4,000 rescues.
At the Delaware Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Wilmington, the VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Dover and the VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Georgetown, social workers (Kent Johnson LCSW and David Parsons LCSW-C) are assigned to follow-up local referrals from the VA National Suicide Prevention Hotline.
Questions can be addressed by calling:
Kent Johnson LCSW
Suicide Prevention Coordinator
Wilmington VAMC
(302-275-5676)
David Parsons LCSW-C
Suicide Prevention Case Manager
Dover CBOC and Georgetown CBOC
(302-354-7052)
Interview with Ihsan Hines, aka “Purpose”
In 2007, Ishan Hines’ younger brother, Atif Hines, died by suicide. Ishan describes his brother as a dedicated father and hard worker. He believes his brother struggled with depression for years but did not seek help. Afif’s death came as a shock to everyone in his community, because he always “appeared” upbeat and stress-free. Ishan, now known as Purpose, has begun sharing his brother’s story and educating youth on the risks and warning signs of suicide.
Q: Why did you change your name to Purpose?A: Living with purpose instead of dying for nothing is the main reason for the change. I believe that God has a purpose for everyone. I feel that my purpose is to help those who may be experiencing emotional, mental, physical difficulties, and to share my brother’s story all over the world to educate the youth about suicide.Q: What are your personal views on suicide?A: I can understand why people commit suicide. I feel that it is a bad decision that affects everyone and I also think that it is a selfish act. However again, I can understand why people can feel like giving up on life. I believe that pain can cause a person to think irrationally and have suicidal ideation, especially if that person does not have a good support system or is receiving any treatment.Q: How has this experience change your view about your own life?A: Suicide became an option where as, it had never had been before, in my own life. My life is still very stressful, with raising my brother’s daughter, helping family cope with the death of my younger brother. I had to seek mental health counseling for myself which I received from my home church located in Philadelphia. At times, it is still very hard for me to continue living on without my brother. This experience also has opened my eyes to see how important mental health counselors are. Prior to the death of my brother, I felt that “shrinks” were for crazy people. Now I understand that they are not just for crazy people but for all people.Q: How have you maintained yourself emotionally and mentally?A: Mentally, I continue going to church and journaling my thoughts. I also write music, and read the Bible on a daily basis. Emotionally, I am still damaged; I have begun the grieving process, but I have not yet accepted the death of my brother. I think that if he had just died naturally, it would not be so hard on me. But because he died by suicide, it’s just really hard to accept. I still desire to see him, hang out with him and talk with him. So emotionally, I am on my way, but I still have ways to go.Q: Do you think there is stigma attached to suicide that prevents minorities from seeking mental health service?A: Yes. I think that because African Americans are usually faith-based people, suicide is rarely an option. I say that because African American folks rely heavily on religion; we believe that God can solve any problem. But the misperception is that suicide only affects whites. In my opinion, I don’t feel that color is the issue, but it helps me realize how people deal with pain. It gave me compassion about how people are all different and how they process things differently. I don’t think the color of your skin determines a person at greater risk for suicide. However, unresolved pain and depression does determine who will commit suicide.
New Castle - (302) 577-2484 - Kent/Sussex - (800) 345-6785
or go the nearest hospital or emergency center, or call 911.