It sure seems like we're hearing a lot lately about mental health. On my drive to work on Monday morning (I always have the dial set to NPR), Steve Inskeep announced a new series on depression. Then, this morning, I found out KCPT will begin a four part series on suicide starting tonight at 7:30. Marcia Epstein (who will also be featured on the show) posted about the program earlier. As the communications specialist for the Bert Nash Center, I'm glad that these topics are being explored in such a public way. It helps combat the negative stigma associated with mental illness.
Many of you remember, from last year, John McClure, the executive chef and owner of Starker’s Restaurant on the Plaza, took his own life. Then around Thanksgiving, Fox 4 meteorologist Don Harmon took his life as well. Both of these men were in the public eye, yet both of these men kept their depression a secret. Perhaps there were warning signs, and perhaps there weren't. Suicide is an awful thing on many levels and for all the many people affected by it.
No one saw it coming... by talktobert
On a positive note, we here at the Bert Nash Center have been training people for the last three years to learn to recognize the warning signs and perhaps save the life of a friend, family member, co-worker, or even a stranger. Our Mental Health First Aid program is a 12-hour course in which participants learn a single 5-step strategy that includes assessing risk, respectfully listening to and supporting the individual in crisis, and identifying appropriate professional help and other supports. The goal of MHFA is to increase mental health literacy. Participants are also introduced to risk factors and warning signs for mental health or substance use problems, engage in experiential activities that build understanding of the impact of illness on individuals and families; and learn information about evidence-supported treatment and self-help strategies.
To learn more about the MHFA program or to sign up for an upcoming course, visit our MHFA website. Our MHFA program was also on same program on KCPT as the one on suicide tonight (see video below)!
Please watch or listen to these current programs, and stay safe and healthy out there.
Tagged: Bert Nash Center, Suicide, Depression, Mental Health First Aid
Comments
DaniB (Danielle Brunin) says…
There was also a great documentary on KTWU called "Living with Schizophrenia: A Call for Hope and Recovery." Rebecca Lyn Phillips, who has a regular blog on cjonline.com is featured along with her mother. She completely blows away the stereotypes of those afflicted with schizophrenia. Definitely worth checking out!
http://cjonline.com/blog-post/rlynph/...
IndusRiver (anonymous) says…
All mental health, everywhere, is state sponsored terrorism. So many of the drugs that are injected into patients are 1) banned throughout the rest of the world, 2) under FDA alerts/warnings, and 3) create the many myriad of "mental illnesses" that are said to be hallucinations, delirium, schizophrenia, paranoia, suicide, depression, anxiety, etc., also known as "side effects," many permanent.
It's very big business. But it is also stupendous human carnage until no family is left, no money is left, no individual person is left, and no life is left.
I really get tired of all of the glossy coats this de facto organization presents to the public, but I'm not ready to say that the public is so dumb as to buy it at face value.