Breaking the Stigma of Mental Illness

 

Pastors Rick and Kay Warren are the parents of a young man who suffered from mental illness and committed suicide. They are committed to destigmatizing this illness and helping other families cope.

 

Suicide seems random but is predictable. The majority of people who commit suicide have suffered from mental illness for a long time, and may even have had previous attempts;  unfortunately, acquaintances, friends, even family may not know this.

Here are some facts  about suicide

  • Most suicide victims in the United States are white men.
  • Guns are the most common means of suicide, followed by suffocation and poison.
  • There is often a family history of mental illness and suicide .
  • Major depression is the most common cause of suicide- 90% of victims.
  • Suicide may be triggered by recent or prolonged stress and loss, serious health problems and chronic pain.

Don’t be afraid to reach out to someone who you think may be at risk of suicide. You may save that person’s life. Here are some resources to help you know what to do.

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

National Alliance on Mental Health

Books

New Light on Depression

51h3gxqaiyl-_sx387_bo1204203200_

Night Falls Fast; Understanding Suicide

41x0n2bccatl-_sx319_bo1204203200_

Finding Your Way after the Suicide of Someone You Love

41ro1r5k-4l-_sx329_bo1204203200_

Loved Back to Life

51t5s2-tl2l-_sx325_bo1204203200_

Exploring the HEART of Health

Links to the books listed are affiliate links that can result in a commission to this blog.

I appreciate your time reading this post and invite you to follow this blog and me on social media.

I share information and inspiration to help you transform challenges into opportunities for learning and growth.

Add your name to the subscribe box to be notified of new posts by email. Click the link to read the post and browse other content. It’s that simple. No spam.

I enjoy seeing who is new to Watercress Words. When you subscribe, I will visit your blog or website. Thanks and see you next time.

Dr. Aletha

Books for Health and Fitness

I like books and reading.  As a child, I visited my local library weekly, and I still do.(Note that several affiliate links are in this post. )

I’ve reviewed these books on this blog.

A Natural Woman, a memoir by singer/songwriter Carole King

Working Stiff, a memoir by medical examiner Dr. Judy Melinek

What are you reading?

Will reading about health make you healthier?

The China Study: The Most Comprehensive Study of Nutrition Ever Conducted And the Startling Implications for Diet, Weight Loss, And Long-term Health 

by  T. Colin Campbell, 2006

Referred to as the “Grand Prix of epidemiology” by The New York Times, this study examines more than 350 variables of health and nutrition with surveys from 6,500 adults in more than 2,500 counties across China and Taiwan, and conclusively demonstrates the link between nutrition and heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.

HEART HEALTH

While revealing that proper nutrition can have a dramatic effect on reducing and reversing these ailments as well as curbing obesity, this text calls into question the practices of many of the current dietary programs, such as the Atkins diet, that are widely popular in the West.

Do No Harm

Stories of Life, Death, and Brain Surgery

MRI OF THE BRAIN
an MRI image of the human brain (photo from Pixabay)

 

by Dr. Henry Marsh, 2015

A leading neurosurgeon offers a revealing look into his life and work, discussing the triumphs, disasters, and regrets of a medical practice that carries grave risks and often requires agonizing decisions.

Sex, Food, Love, and Being Comfortable in your Skin…every Inch of It

by  Brittany Gibbons, 2015

someone standing on a scale

A plus-sized blogger shares anecdotes about her life as a weird, overweight girl growing up in rural Ohio, including stories about dating, relationships, dieting, and finally accepting her curves.

Grain of Truth

The Real Case for and Against Wheat and Glutendrawings of wheat stalks

by  Stephen H. Yafa, 2015

Analyzes the current trend against wheat consumption, tracing its role in history and science to share facts about how wheat has been wrongly demonized and holds an important and nutritious role in dietary health

Exploring the HEART of Health

I appreciate your time reading this post and invite you to follow this blog and me on social media.

I share information and inspiration to help you transform challenges into opportunities for learning and growth.

Add your name to the subscribe box to be notified of new posts by email. Click the link to read the post and browse other content. It’s that simple. No spam.

I enjoy seeing who is new to Watercress Words. When you subscribe, I will visit your blog or website. Thanks and see you next time.

 Dr. Aletha