Mike, a mental health professional with extensive experience in this area and kiteboarder worked to put together the following document to help people suffering with depression and perhaps thoughts of suicide.
Depression
What is depression?
Depression is a common mental disorder that presents with depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, low energy, and poor concentration. These problems can become chronic or recurrent and lead to substantial impairments in an individual's ability to take care of his or her everyday responsibilities. At its worst, depression can lead to suicide, a tragic fatality associated with the loss of about 850,000 thousand lives worldwide every year.
Depression is the leading cause of disability as measured by YLD* (years lived with disability) and the 4th leading contributor to the global burden of disease (DALYs**) in 2000. By the year 2020, depression is projected to reach 2nd place of the ranking of DALYs calcuated for all ages, both sexes. Today, depression is already the 2nd cause of DALYs in the age category 15-44 years for both sexes combined.
" There is always hope. Depression blinds us to that fact. If we can somehow hold on to our hope, just maybe we can find a way to get through."
http://home.blarg.net/~charlatn/Depression.html***
Depression occurs in persons of all genders, ages, and backgrounds.
Signs and Symptoms of Depression
www.nimh.nih.gov/healthinformation/depressionmenu.cfm ****
?Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood
?Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism
?Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
?Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed
Facts
?Depression is common, affecting about 121 million people worldwide.
?Depression is among the leading causes of disability worldwide.
?Depression can be reliably diagnosed and treated in primary care.
?Fewer than 25 % of those affected have access to effective treatments.
Depression can be reliably diagnosed in primary care. Antidepressant medications and brief, structured forms of psychotherapy are effective for 60-80 % of those affected and can be delivered in primary care. However, fewer than 25 % of those affected (in some countries fewer than 10 %) receive such treatments. Barriers to effective care include the lack of resources, lack of trained providers, and the social stigma associated with mental disorders including depression.
Adaptive sports can provide a productive outlet for new challenges and accomplishments for disabled athletes. Physical activity has been documented to relieve depression.
More information can be found at:
www.dsusa.org/www.northeastcenter.com/links_adaptive_sports.htm* YLD Years Lived with Disability
** DALY Disability Adjusted Life Years
The sum of years of potential life lost due to premature
mortality and the years of productive life lost due to disability
(Source: WHO website)
Suicide
The World Health Organization estimates that in the year 2000 approximately one million people will die from suicide. A global mortality rate of 16 per 100,000. One death every 40 seconds.
The WHO further reports that:
?In the last 45 years suicide rates have increased by 60% worldwide. Suicide is now among the three leading causes of death among those aged 15-44 (both sexes). Suicide attempts are up to 20 times more frequent than completed suicides.
?Although suicide rates have traditionally been highest among elderly males, rates among young people have been increasing to such an extent that they are now the group at highest risk in a third of all countries.
?Mental disorders (particularly depression and substance abuse) are associated with more than 90% of all cases of suicide. However, suicide results from many complex sociocultural factors and is more likely to occur during periods of socioeconomic, family and individual crisis (e.g. loss of a loved one, employment, honour).
In the US, the Centers for Disease Control reports that:
?More people die from suicide than from homicide. In 1997, there were 1.5 times as many suicides as homicides.
?Overall, suicide is the eighth leading cause of death for all Americans, and is the third leading cause of death for young people aged 15-24.
?Males are four times more likely to die from suicide than are females. However, females are more likely to attempt suicide than are males.
Risk Factors
www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/suifacts.htm *****
The first step in preventing suicide is to identify and understand the risk factors. A risk factor is anything that increases the likelihood that persons will harm themselves. However, risk factors are not necessarily causes. Research has identified the following risk factors for suicide (DHHS 1999):
?Previous suicide attempt(s)
?History of mental disorders, particularly depression
?History of alcohol and substance abuse
?Family history of suicide
?Family history of child maltreatment
?Feelings of hopelessness
?Impulsive or aggressive tendencies
?Barriers to accessing mental health treatment
?Loss (relational, social, work, or financial)
?Physical illness and disability
?Easy access to lethal methods
?Unwillingness to seek help because of the stigma attached to mental health and substance abuse disorders or suicidal thoughts
?Cultural and religious beliefs-for instance, the belief that suicide is a noble resolution of a personal dilemma
?Local epidemics of suicide
?Isolation, a feeling of being cut off from other people
?Loss of mobility
How to get help
?The best place to get help for depression is your local GP/family doctor. They will be able to initially treat you and/or provide referral to another specialist.
?In emergency you can present to your local hospital emergency department.
?If you are fearful of a friend's safety because they have been verbalising intent to suicide, you can contact police to perform a welfare check or contact your local community based mental health service for further direction. These centres are usually listed in the local phone directory.
?If you have a family member or friend who is suicidal, do not leave him or her alone.
?Try to get the person to seek help immediately from an emergency room, physician, or mental health professional.
?Take seriously any comments about suicide or wishing to die. Even if you do not believe your family member or friend will actually attempt suicide, the person is clearly in distress and can benefit from your help in receiving mental health treatment.
?There are of course a myriad of websites on the net that can provide further information for those interested in researching depression and suicide. Some are listed below.
Links
Australia
www.depressionet.com.au/www.beyondblue.org.au/bluepages.anu.edu.au/www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Suicide_Preventionwww.suicidepreventionaust.org/USA
www.psycom.net/depression.central.sites.htmlwww.nimh.nih.gov/healthinformation/depressionmenu.cfmmenanddepression.nimh.nih.gov/personal.asp www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/suifacts.htmwww.nimh.nih.gov/suicidePrevention/sui911.cfmsportsmedicine.about.com/cs/head/a/aa060103a.htm UK
www.depressionalliance.org/www.clinical-depression.co.uk/www.sane.org.uk/public_html/About_Mental_Illness/Depression.shtmInternational
www.befrienders.org/
, who started to get a bit depressed (but not suicidal mind you) because I suddenly couldn't kite or do any of the other s**t I live for 
, I worked out early on what I need to do. Recognise what the pain killers are doing to my head 
with yellow hair and a mako tooth necklace who won't help you launch or land your kite, just know that he would if he could.
