Tag: suicide loss

Family Care Center,

Mental Health and Behavioral Health

Mental health and behavioral health are often used interchangeably, but they can refer to slightly different concepts.

Mental health refers to a person's overall psychological well-being. It is the state of being emotionally and cognitively healthy, and it is an essential part of overall health and well-being. Mental health includes a person's ability to manage their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors, and it can be affected by a wide range of factors, including genetics, environment, and life experiences.

Behavioral health, on the other hand, is a broad term that refers to the behavior of individuals and the impact of that behavior on their overall health and well-being. It includes mental health, as well as substance abuse and addiction. Behavioral health encompasses a person's behaviors, thoughts, and feelings that can affect their physical health, as well as their social, economic, and environmental well-being.

In summary, mental health refers to a person's overall psychological well-being, while behavioral health refers to the behaviors, thoughts, and feelings that can affect a person's overall health and well-being. Both mental health and behavioral health are important for overall health and well-being, and they can be interconnected. Family Care Center is proud to be the #1 provider of behavioral health outpatient services in Colorado, and we are  expanding our reach to the states of Tennessee and Texas!

CONTACT US TODAY TO SCHEDULE YOUR FIRST APPOINTMENT.

Family Care Center,

World Teen Mental Wellness Day 2023

World Teen Mental Wellness Day is observed on March 2 every year to raise awareness about the mental health challenges faced by teenagers across the globe. Mental health is a crucial aspect of overall well-being, and it is essential to address mental health issues early in life to prevent them from escalating into severe problems later on. This day is dedicated to promoting the importance of mental health and wellness among teenagers, providing support and resources for those struggling with mental health issues, and reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness.

Adolescence is a crucial period in a person's life, and it is a time when teenagers undergo several physical, emotional, and psychological changes. Teenagers often find themselves navigating new environments, facing academic and social pressures, and dealing with personal issues such as identity, relationships, and self-esteem. All these factors can contribute to stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues, which can have a significant impact on their overall well-being.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 10-20% of adolescents worldwide experience mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, and substance abuse. However, many of these conditions go undetected and untreated due to lack of awareness, stigma, and limited access to mental health services. This highlights the need to prioritize mental health and wellness among teenagers and provide them with the support they need to thrive.

World Teen Mental Wellness Day aims to achieve this by promoting mental health literacy, encouraging open and honest conversations about mental health, and providing access to resources and services. The day also focuses on empowering teenagers to take care of their mental health by developing healthy habits such as exercise, meditation, and mindfulness.

One of the primary goals of World Teen Mental Wellness Day is to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues. Stigma is a significant barrier to seeking help for mental health problems, and it can prevent teenagers from accessing the care they need. By raising awareness about mental health and promoting a culture of acceptance and understanding, we can break down these barriers and ensure that all teenagers receive the support they need to maintain their mental health and well-being.

Another important aspect of World Teen Mental Wellness Day is providing access to mental health resources and services. Many teenagers may not have access to mental health services due to factors such as cost, lack of availability, or social stigma. By providing access to affordable and accessible mental health services, we can ensure that all teenagers receive the care they need to manage their mental health.

World Teen Mental Wellness Day is an important occasion that highlights the significance of mental health and wellness among teenagers. By promoting mental health literacy, reducing stigma, and providing access to resources and services, we can ensure that all teenagers receive the support they need to thrive. As individuals and as a society, we must prioritize mental health and work towards creating a world where all teenagers have the opportunity to lead healthy, happy, and fulfilling lives.

If you, or anyone you know, needs to talk, Family Care Center is here. Click here to learn more about our mental health services. 

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Dr. Kartiki Churi, M.D.

Grieving a Suicide Loss

International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day is held on Saturday before Thanksgiving each year. In the year 2022, it occurs on November 19^th.  It is sponsored annually by The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). ⁽¹⁾ It is the day when people affected by suicide loss gather at events in their local communities to find comfort as they share stories of healing and hope.  

As we head into a busy holiday season, it is important to be aware that this time can be very challenging for people who have lost a loved one to suicide. Suicide is the 12^th leading cause of death in the U.S. In the year 2020, 45,979 Americans died by suicide and there were estimated 1.2 million suicide attempts. ⁽¹⁾ Current statistics indicate that each incident of suicide results in 135 acquaintances being impacted and 25 in the category of suicide survivors- these are individuals who are profoundly impacted and bereaved. Each loss leaves the family and friends grieving and struggling to understand and cope. Some individuals may feel guilty and wonder how they did not see the signs and what could they have done to prevent it. For others there could be feelings of extreme sadness and anger about their loved one loss.  Yet because of the stigma around suicide and mental illness, and difficult emotions surrounding suicide loss, many of us hesitate to reach out for support or get needed help to cope with the tragic loss. Most of us are not aware of the resources available and some of us may struggle with the motivation to seek support. This can lead to feelings of isolation and further complicate the grieving process.

The highly stressful ramifications due to losing a loved one to suicide, can put the survivors at high risk for developing anxiety and depression, including pathological complicated grief. Complicated grief is defined as prolonged, unresolved, or traumatic grief characterized by intense feelings associated with acute grief. ⁽²⁾ If unaddressed, complicated grief can cause significant distress and, persistent feelings of longing and yearning, eventually resulting in substantial deficiencies in their occupational, social, and interpersonal functioning. Furthermore, they may experience increased rates of psychiatric co-morbidities, increased medical issues, insomnia, and substance abuse. One may start to suffer from recurrent major depression, suicidal thoughts, and suicidal behavior.

A study completed in 2019, inferred that the interpersonal factors of belonging, self-disclosure, and social support play a very important role in facilitating growth for those who have experienced traumatic suicide loss of a loved one. ⁽³⁾  Self-disclosure is the process of sharing one’s personal feelings and has been found to be an important component of dealing with grief.  Utilizing appropriate tools and support systems can help us identify and understand our emotions to promote a healthy healing journey. Talking to a network of people who you feel safe with, who will understand your sense of loss or connecting with a network who might have shared a similar experience of loss, can be immensely helpful. Not rushing yourself through the process of grief and allowing you the time, space and grace needed to address the trauma of suicide loss is important. If the grief persists for a prolonged period, and there are feelings of unrelenting anguish, depression, hopelessness, or suicidal thoughts, seeking professional help can be helpful and necessary. Selfcare, wellbeing, joy, or laughter do not mean less grief, but it means giving yourself the permission to heal and grow, despite the grief.

References:

1. https://afsp.org/ive-lost-someone
2. Levi-Belz Y, Lev-Ari L. "Let's Talk About It": The Moderating Role of Self-Disclosure on Complicated Grief over Time among Suicide Survivors. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019 Oct 4;16(19):3740. doi: 10.3390/ijerph16193740. PMID: 31590225; PMCID: PMC6801618.
3. Levi-Belz Y. Growing together: interpersonal predictors of posttraumatic growth trajectory among suicide-loss survivors. Anxiety Stress Coping. 2022 May;35(3):284-297. doi: 10.1080/10615806.2021.1958791. Epub 2021 Jul 27. PMID: 34314267.