Coping

At some point I need to sit down with my "go to therapist" to discuss the events of this Fall. In the meantime, I am in Car Therapy. Like many working Mommies, I spend a great deal of time in my car going to and from clients as well as kid destinations. I think during these drives. Allot.

I am thinking about mental illness. How we as individuals are not well equipped to truly help our loved ones. How we as a society are dismissive. How self-medicating with whatever is around is the coping mechanism. How the pain seeps onto all those touching your life. How the despondency is so gigantic that leaving this world becomes the only option left.

In 2012, an estimated 16 million adults age 18 and older has at least one major depressive episode in the last year - 6.9% of all adults.

A mood disorder describes a problem affecting a person's persistent emotional state or mood. A 12 month prevalence shows that 9.5% of the adult population suffers from a mood disorder and 45% of these are severe. Average age of onset is 30 years old and women are 50% more likely to have a mood disorder over their lifetime. 56.4% are getting treatment which is often minimally adequate.

Adults living with mental illness die on average 25 years earlier than other other adults, largely due to treatable medical conditions. Suicide is the 4th leading cause of death in adults in the USA over the age of 18. It is only behind malignant neoplasms, heart disease and unintentional injury. There were almost 29,000 adult suicides in 2007. And even more disturbing, suicide is the third leading cause of death for ages 15 to 24.

And on and on ... here is what is depressing ... these statistics. Browse These. Read Them.
CLICK HERE NIMH Statistics
CLICK HERE Fact Sheet

Many people with mental illness die of suicide. My statement. My opinion. My heartbreak. Although "My" is not really the correct modifier. When you talk to people, the stories come out ... brothers, sisters, cousins, friends, teachers, boyfriends, so many. Too many.

An internet search on "how do we help those with mental illness" reveals many items of which several are from just one hour ago. I also found this site:
CLICK HERE Suicide & Crisis Center of North Texas
I sent in a form to see if I can get information on how to Volunteer on Crisis Line. Let's see what happens.

Thinking of those whose torment is quieted ...  

CLICK HERE Somewhere over the Rainbow - Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwoʻole

Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high
And the dreams that you dreamed of
Once in a lullaby

Somewhere over the rainbow
Blue birds fly
And the dreams that you dreamed of
Dreams really do come true ooh oh

Someday I'll wish upon a star
Wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where trouble melts like lemon drops
High above the chimney tops
That's where you'll find me

Oh, somewhere over the rainbow bluebirds fly
And the dream that you dare to,
Oh why, oh why can't I?

Well I see trees of green and red roses too,
I'll watch them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world

Well I see skies of blue
And I see clouds of white
And the brightness of day
I like the dark
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world

The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people passing by
I see friends shaking hands
Saying, "How do you do?"
They're really saying, I...I love you

I hear babies cry and I watch them grow,
They'll learn much more than we'll know
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world world

Someday I'll wish upon a star,
Wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where trouble melts like lemon drops
High above the chimney top
That's where you'll find me

Oh, somewhere over the rainbow way up high
And the dream that you dare to, why, oh why can't I? I?