Recognizing Depression and the Warning Signs of Suicide " Jonathan is a 38-year-old long haul truck driver who feels tired and hopeless "

Recognizing Depression and the Warning Signs of Suicide " Jonathan is a 38-year-old long haul truck driver who feels tired and hopeless "

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  Michelle Kaarto, BScK, CSEP CEP 22 March 2016

  I think we tend to tie our depressive feelings to situations/hardships that we are going through, and it makes it easier to avoid really dealing with our mental health. If Jonathan has several 'reasons' why he is currently feeling the way he is, like his divorce and financial strain, then it's simple to pass off his feelings as temporary. It sounds to me that his mental health absolutely needs some attention, especially since he has admitted to thoughts of suicide. If I was Jonathan's friend he was confessing to, I would be doing everything possible to bring him to the emergency department or to his family doctor.

  Reply to: Recognizing Depression and the Warning Signs of Suicide " Jonathan is a 38-year-old long haul truck driver who feels tired and hopeless "

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  AllieS 06 January 2016

  Some really good points have been made about the difficulty there can be getting the appropriate help from health services. However, I think it's especially important to recognize that not everyone who goes through depression or has suicidal thoughts even wants to seek out "official" help. Although we don't know where Jonathan stands on seeking professional advice, a good place to start may be to continue talking with the friend he has already confided in. Having a friend there for support may be more comfortable, and may help him eventually make those lifestyle changes.

  Reply to: Recognizing Depression and the Warning Signs of Suicide " Jonathan is a 38-year-old long haul truck driver who feels tired and hopeless "

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    Mr. Jackson Sayers BSc., Kinesiologist, Vancouver, BC 07 January 2016

    I agree with Allie in that not everyone who goes through depression or has suicidal thoughts even wants to seek out "official" help, My take is that often people need to take the time to calm down and find a place of calm before they make decisions about seeking professional help for things like Depression and the Warning Signs of Suicide. Certainly if they have had thoughts this way in the past that would bean indicator that professional help might be more valuable.

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  ShirleyG 05 January 2016

  Mental illnesses are a growing concern in our society and having the means to find support is very important. Sometimes a person who is depressed or having suicidal thoughts is not assisted in the correct capacity. When you read some of the side affects of medications used for depression medication some state suicidal thoughts. How can these medication work if they make people feel this way ?

  Reply to: Recognizing Depression and the Warning Signs of Suicide " Jonathan is a 38-year-old long haul truck driver who feels tired and hopeless "

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    K. Michael 07 April 2016

    I agree ShirleyG. Unfortunately it seems like trying regulate the chemicals in the brain that lead to depression is a trial and error process. And people often don't have the level of support and monitoring they need so feelings are enhanced instead of leveled and they feel worse than they did.

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  Chantal Sayers Vancouver, BC 18 December 2015

  I've always heard that the suicide rates are much higher in men. In fact I can think of 6 instances where I have either known a man, or a friend has known a man that has taken his own life. Is there any evidence out there as to why? It seems to be on the increase and is quite worrying.

  Reply to: Recognizing Depression and the Warning Signs of Suicide " Jonathan is a 38-year-old long haul truck driver who feels tired and hopeless "

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    K. Michael 01 March 2016

    I think that women are much more likely to take mental illness seriously. To talk to friends, doctors, family about their thoughts. There seems to still be a huge stigma involving men and mental illness that needs to be addressed

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  K. Michael 12 December 2015

  I think that the advice to speak to his doctor or other health care professional about his suicidal thoughts is a very good one. However our health care system doesn't seem set up to properly support people with mental health issues

  Reply to: Recognizing Depression and the Warning Signs of Suicide " Jonathan is a 38-year-old long haul truck driver who feels tired and hopeless "

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    K. Michael 11 January 2016

    @ShirleyG that's exactly what I meant. There seems to be a real lack of resources for people with mental illnesses like depression

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    ShirleyG 05 January 2016

    There has been an influx of information in the media surrounding mental health issues, however there needs to be more doctors available to treat patients. It is one thing to say there is help and it is another to have the resources to help.

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    Michelle Kaarto, BScK, CSEP CEP 17 December 2015

    There does seem to be frequent public health campaigns around the recognition of mental health issues, and the importance in addressing symptoms in people. I would hope these would start to raise more awareness of the warning signs of suicide and depression, and help support our primary care providers in treating those that are suffering.