September Newsletter from ICT

SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER 2014

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MENTAL HEALTH SPOTLIGHT: SUICIDE

With the recent media coverage of Robin Williams’ suicide, September being Suicide Prevention month couldn’t come at a better time. The statistics on suicide are alarming:

Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S. and the SECOND, SECOND in those ages 15-24!!!
Each suicide intimately effects 6 other people
Someone attempts suicide every 32 seconds
Males are 3.6x more likely to commit suicide than females BUT females are 3x more likely to attempt suicide than males
Nationwide, an average of 1 person kills themselves every 13.3 minutes

So, what can YOU do?? If you are concerned someone is thinking of suicide:

ASK about it...that’s right, they are already thinking about it, so GO AHEAD, ask “Are you thinking of killing yourself?”
LISTEN without judgment or advice
STAY WITH THEM as they go to their mental health provider, doctor, or hospital ER.

How do you know when you should do something? …by knowing the warning signs:

I Ideation (thoughts/ threats)
S Substance Abuse (alcohol, pills, drugs)

P Purposelessness (no care about future)
A Anxiety (agitation, sleep problems)
T Trapped (no way out)
H Hopelessness

W Withdrawal (being alone)
A Anger (rage, seeking revenge)
R Recklessness (acting w/o thinking)
M Mood Changes (moody or mood swings)

If you notice the warning signs in your child, friend, or family member, do something!!! ALWAYS err on the side of caution!!! Remember, talking about suicide helps prevent it. If you are worried about someone's safety or need someone to talk to yourself, the Suicide Prevention line is available 24/7 at: (800) 237-TALK

At Home “Therapy Tool”

This month’s at home tool is about gratitude. Those who practice positive psychology regularly & consistently tend to have less depression, less stress, and more sense of purpose all of which combat some of the warning signs of suicide.

Keep a GRATITUDE JOURNAL– write down one thing you are thankful for everyday.
CREATE A MENTAL PICTURE in your head of your favorite memory or vacation spot including what you heard, saw, smelled, tasted, and felt.

RESOURCES FOR THERAPISTS

As a therapist, I LOVE free resources. This month I am highlighting two free resources that therapists can use:

1. Flourish ‘N Thrive– my personal resource blog for therapists www.flourishnthrive.wordpress.com

2. Therapistaid– they offer lots of different worksheets and resources, including a suicide assessment form and a safety plan.
http://www.therapistaid.com/therapy-worksheets/suicide/none

Practical Parenting

This month’s practical parenting tip is two fold:

1. Make sure you have your child’s attention via eye contact BEFORE giving a command or asking them to do something

2.Say it in ONE (short) sentence if possible.

If you do these two things, your child’s compliance with what you want them to do should go up!!

Forward

Study Tips

I often get complaints from youth about the amount of homework they have and feeling overwhelmed. This month’s study tip is to help combat that feeling of being overwhelmed.

TIP:Break down big assignments and projects into their smaller parts by writing the different steps out and then Rchecking them off as you complete each one!

This month’s at home tool is about gratitude. Those who practice positive psychology regularly & consistently tend to have less depression, less stress, and more sense of purpose all of which combat some of the warning signs of suicide.

Keep a GRATITUDE JOURNAL– write down one thing you are thankful for everyday.

CREATE A MENTAL PICTURE in your head of your favorite memory or vacation spot including what you heard, saw, smelled, tasted, and felt.