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This year MWR Family Advocacy & Fitness Center are partnering to bring the you the De-Stress Your Life Series and Challenge 22. We will be sharing statistics and ways to reach help if needed. We have created a page for you to visit and we will continue to post more resources.
De-Stress Your Life Series
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Individual Challenge
Exercise option you can do 1 exercise or combine them for the month:
- 22 Pushups. Fitness level options wall pushups, inclined or knee pushups
- 22 Squats:
- 22 Second Planks:
- 22 Minutes of Walking,
- 22 Second Sprints,
Combine: 22 pushups, 22 squats, 22 second plank, 22 minutes walking 22 second sprints.
Team options:
Invite a friend, family member, neighbor, or coworkers.
- Walk for 22 minutes for 22 days.
- Bike ride for 22 minutes for 22 days
- Strength training for 22 days.
- Meditation 22 minutes for 22 days.
For More information and registration: Contact the Fitness Center Staff at 269-961-5350
Ask
Be There
Individuals are more likely to feel less depressed, less suicidal, less overwhelmed, and more hopeful after speaking to someone who listens without judgment.
Community Impact
In 2017, suicide was:
- the second leading cause of death for American Indian/Alaska Natives between the ages of 10-34.
- The second leading cause of death for African Americans, ages 15-24.
- the leading cause of death for Asian Americans, ages 15-34.
- The second leading cause of death for Hispanic people in the U.S., ages 15-34.
- Lesbian, gay and bisexual youth are four times more likely to attempt suicide than straight youth.
- Transgender people are nearly 12 times more likely to attempt suicide than the general population.
- 11.8% of young adults aged 18-25 say they experienced suicidal thoughts in the past year.
National Alliance on Mental Illness www.nami.org
Help Them Stay Connected
Studies indicate that helping someone at risk create a network of resources and individuals for support and safety can help them take positive action and reduce feelings of hopelessness.
Individual Impact
- Suicide is the second leading cause of death for people age 10-34, and the 4th leading cause of death for people 35-54.
- The overall suicide rate in the U.S. has increased by 35% since 1999.
- While nearly half of individuals who die by suicide have a diagnosed mental health condition, research shows that 90% experienced symptoms.
It’s Okay to Ask for Help.
As summer fades and autumn leaves start falling, it’s a time of big changes: new schedules, a return to school, and for many of us, returning to the office. Daylight hours are getting shorter. Anxiety and depression symptoms become more prevalent. And we’re still not rid of Covid-19! We find ourselves SAD. Not just in the literal sense, but many of us also deal with Seasonal Affective Disorder. We become kind of like autumn, fading, and falling.
Sometimes, that fading and falling lead us to dark places, or we see a friend or family member headed to that deep, dark place. What do we do? It is easy to forget that we aren’t alone when we are in that place. But – people DO care.
If we see someone we know who is exhibiting warning signs that they might be contemplating suicide, reach out to them. Ask them if they are okay. Ask if they need help. It’s easy to look past someone else when they’re struggling. We don’t want to get involved. But just a simple question: “Are you okay?” could save a life.
Here are some things to look out for in others:
- Talks or writes about suicide, death or ways to die
- Threatens to hurt or kill themselves
- Tries to obtain pills, guns or other means of self-harm
- Suffers a sudden or dramatic change in mood or behavior
- Expresses feeling hopeless or trapped
- Begins preparing a will, giving away possessions or making arrangements for pets
- Suffers from intense rage or desire for revenge
- Increases alcohol or drug use
(Taken from https://www.militaryonesource.mil/health-wellness/mental-health/suicide/suicide-awareness/)
Keep Them Safe
A number of studies have indicated that when lethal means are made less available, suicide rates decline.
Learn to Recognize Red Flags
- Appearing sad or depressed most of the time
- Hopelessness; feeling like there’s no way out
- Anxiety, agitation, sleeplessness, or mood swings
- Feeling as if there is no reason to live
- Feeling excessive guilt, shame, or sense of failure
- Rage or anger
- Losing interest in hobbies, work, or school
- Self-destructive behavior such as drug or alcohol abuse, weapons, etc.
- Neglecting personal welfare; a deteriorating physical appearance
- Withdrawing from family and friends
- Giving away prized possessions
- Getting affairs in order, tying up loose ends, or writing a will
- Thinking about or looking for ways to kill yourself
- Talking about death, dying, or suicide
You do not need to be an expert or to have training to care about somebody
You do not need to be an expert or to have training to care about somebody who is suicidal. According to Kevin Hines, author of Cracked Not Broken, when he attempted suicide, he just wanted to hear these words, “Are you okay?” “Is something wrong?” or “Can I help you?” Anyone is able to ask someone one of these questions; say these three or four little words. Never silence your pain! Your pain matters! When you bury your pain, it grows and festers. Talk about it and tell someone!
