ReDiscover’s Dr. Nancy Osborn on Fox 4 This Morning

Rediscover: Tackling Teenage Suicide Issues

http://www.myfoxkc.com/myfox/pages/ContentDetail?contentId=6309390

Kansas City News  Related Items Rediscover helps people tackle difficult issues, like suicide.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report suicide as the third leading cause of death for people ages 15 to 24, exceeded only by accidents and homicide. Adults can easily disregard the level of pain felt by teens. But for teens the pain is real, and sometimes it can seem like too much.  What are some warning signs?  Lack of interest in activities Trouble concentrating Feeling hopeless/guilty Changes in eating or sleeping habits Talk about death or “going away” When should we be alarmed? Begins collecting weapons Researches ways to die Gives away personal items Threatens suicide verbally Shows increased irritability Becomes happy for no reason after depression DON’T'T FORGET….ReDiscover is hosting the CEU-approved workshop TEENS WHO HURT to bring mental health professionals together in an effort to learn about new ways to help troubled teens heal. This educational event allows professionals in the mental health field to learn more about Techniques for Re-channeling Rage, Critical aggravating factors that include Devaluation & the Erosion of Community, and Strategies for working with difficult adolescents.  Nationally acclaimed speaker Dr. Kenneth V. Hardy will discuss teens, violence and the process of healing. Download the Brochure here. About ReDiscover http://www.rediscovermh.orgFor interviews, Contact Robin Blakely 660-973-2723 or Robin@GetPRTHERAPY.com ReDiscover, a non-profit community mental health agency, offers a full spectrum of programs and services for people whose lives have been affected by mental illness and/or substance abuse. ReDiscover helps men, women, and children, including those who have limited income, no insurance, or who are under-insured.

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Communication is the key to family peace of mind

Columbine. Virginia Tech.  The Nebraska mall and the Ward Parkway shootings.

When shocking acts of violence are reported, especially when the events occur in a nearby city or neighboring state, families naturally worry about their own schools, their own shopping centers, and their own children’s safety.

ReDiscover CEO and President Alan Flory said, “Parents can help provide real safety precautions that shield children against harm by talking to their kids about cues and clues that exist when their friends, classmates, or even themselves need real help.”

What are some warning signs that a young person needs help?

• angry and uncontrollable outbursts
• bringing a weapon to school
• suicide threats
• bullying other children
• talks about death, suicide or hurting others
• routinely choosing themes of death or violence when writing, drawing, emailing, or blogging
• regularly choosing TV shows, movies, music, comics, video games and Internet websites that are predominantly focused on themes of death or violence
• using alcohol or illicit drugs
• causing disciplinary problems at school
• vandalism
• showing cruelty to animals

“Warning signs can’t predict a violent crime but warning signs do indicate the real need for special attention when a child or teen requires help,” Flory said. “Parents need to encourage their children to share concerns they have about the behavior of others, but typically many warning signs will present themselves if the parent makes time to talk to the child about the child’s day… every day.”

Communication provides peace of mind.

Marsha Palmer-Thelwell, a Program Manager and Licensed Clinical Social Worker for ReDiscover’s School & Community Services, said “Sometimes parents and kids have to learn new ways to communicate. It sounds easy, but it can be hard to talk to each other, especially when you’re a parent dealing with teenagers.  As a parent, you want to give them space. You want to respect their privacy, but parents need to be available to help teens recognize the warning signs when danger is out there.”

How?

Palmer-Thelwell explained, “Communication quality improves when we ask better and different questions when we talk to our kids.  Most of us ask our kids for status reports like ‘How was school? Did you finish your book report? How did you do on that test?’ Then, we’re surprised by one-word answers like ‘Okay, yes, not bad.’  We need status reports, but it helps to know if you ask different kinds of questions, the answers may shed light on other situations that need your help and support.”

How can a parent change old communication patterns that aren’t effective?

 According to Palmer-Thelwell, “Try asking questions that don’t have one-word answers.  Ask stuff like ‘what was the toughest question on the test? What was the funniest part of your day?’ If kids are talkative, stay quiet and listen.  Don’t forget to share some memorable moments from your day, too. One of the best ways today that parents can proactively protect their kids is to maintain open lines of communication and really stay tuned in to each other.  Talking makes a huge difference on every level.”

Flory agreed, and added, “ Sometimes what the child doesn’t say can alert an adult to potential problems.  Signs of anxiety suggest that a child or teenager needs increased adult support.”

What are some behavioral issues that serve as warning signs that your child or teen may be facing a situation or concern that requires your help?

• changes in school performance,
• changes in relationships with friends and teachers
• excessive worry
• sleeplessness
• nightmares
• headaches or stomachaches
• loss of interest in favorite activities
• hanging out with a new and different crowd
• drastic changes in style of clothing or dress

What if your child expresses a special concern about safety or potential violence at their school, church, or social hangout?

Help is available.  Take concerns seriously.  Talk about that concern with the child and discuss your shared concerns with the appropriate school personnel or community leaders. ReDiscover, and other community mental health agencies, provide services to help people develop communication skills, sort out feelings, set goals, and work toward making improvements that can make your life feel safe and meaningful.

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Voters’ voices make a difference

 by Robin Blakely
Special to the Journal

Depression. Bipolar disorder. Schizophrenia.

The mere mention of these diseases can scare us because most of our lives will be touched by one of these mental illnesses through someone we care about. Yet, most of us don’t know what to do to actively prevent mental illness or to change whatever needs to be changed to improve healthcare services for people who are sick now.

“For most of us, the scariest part about mental illness is how vulnerable we all are,” said Alan Flory, ReDiscover CEO and president. “Mental illnesses are physical brain disorders which disrupt a person’s ability to think, feel and relate to others. Mental illnesses can affect people of all backgrounds and all stages of life. Absolutely no one is immune. The first step to helping us fight mental illness is understanding that this is a very personal fight for each and everyone of us.”

Mental illnesses are much more common than most people have typically understood – and there are many different kinds of illnesses, not just one. The cost of mental illnesses on individuals, families and the community is huge, and the need for services is increasing.

According to The World Health Organization, mental illnesses rank first in terms of causing disability in the United States and, collectively, is the most prevalent problem in America today. Mental illness is more common than cancer and lung and heart diseases combined.

Mental health needs are increasing in Missouri on a myriad of fronts:

• More people are losing health insurance from their work place,
• Private hospital beds for mental illnesses have been reduced in the region, and
• Hospital emergency rooms are overwhelmed with mental health and substance abuse problems that could and should be treated earlier and elsewhere.

“I’m often asked what needs to be changed to improve care for the family members and friends who are sick now,” Flory said. “The needs are so great that many times caring individuals who want to help may feel paralyzed about what they can or should do to make a real difference.”

One way to make a difference is to personally tour a community mental health center to see firsthand what programs and services are actually available locally.

ReDiscover is a nonprofit community mental health center that provides hope and help for recovery from mental illnesses and substance dependency. Through the years, community mental health centers like ReDiscover have consistently worked with the business community, the schools, the juvenile justice system, disaster response teams, special populations and numerous government and private agencies. When you tour a facility, you will discover many ways that you can provide time, talent and support that can help change lives.

Another way to make a difference is to let your concerned voice be heard by elected officials in federal, state and local districts. A new vehicle to inform legislators of the need for mental health services is called voterVOICE. The online voterVOICE service enables supporters to send on point, quality messages quickly and easily. Information about this free service can be found at www.rediscovermh.org or www.votervoice.net/groups/mccmhc/register.

“Voters who speak up can and do make a huge impact. More community support means more attention to funding for mental health care services,” Flory said. “Recently, Missouri’s House Budget Committee finalized their budget. Mental healthcare for Missourians fared relatively well in the process. The Budget Committee offered a 3 percent increase for community providers, which is an increase equal to that given to state employees. This is a drastically needed budget adjustment after years of inequity. Budget decisions like this help make quality care possible for those who critically need recovery services in our community.”

If you or someone you know needs help with mental health issues, ReDiscover’s 24-hour access line is 816-966-0900.

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Know the warning signs to watch for of teens at-risk of suicide

by Robin Blakely
Special to the Journal

People sometimes don’t believe that teens and young adults can experience the kind of pain that leads to thoughts of suicide. Yet, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is actually the third leading cause of death for 15- to 24-year-olds, exceeded only by accidents and homicide.

“Adults sometimes disregard the level of emotional pain felt by teens,” said Dr. Nancy Osborn, a psychologist who specializes in working with youth and families in ReDiscover’s Adult and Family Services program. “Many teens experience a lot of pressure from many different sources, including from themselves. Sometimes they do not feel they measure up to others’ expectations or even to their own expectations. Their feelings can become very intense and sometimes they feel like they have very little support.”

Osborn has worked with youth for more than 20 years and has developed a particular expertise helping kids and families who range from moderately to extremely challenged.

“Teens who are at risk for suicide often suffer from depression,” Osborn said. “A teen with depression may not know how to escape from his or her emotional pain. Suicide may seem like an opportunity to escape whatever is going on. At a particular moment, to some distressed teens, dying may seem like the only way out.”

Most of the time there are warning signs, such as obvious depression or increased isolation. Sometimes teens talk about not wanting to be around or that they express that they are feeling overwhelmed. Sometimes there are no apparent warning signs that a teen is on the brink of suicide.

“An ordinary situation like a fight with a friend or a bad grade on a test or the combination of several disappointments may not seem like alarming events to the average adult because ordinarily they are not alarming,” said Alan Flory, CEO and president of ReDiscover. “But, at a vulnerable point in time, ordinary situations may be more than a teen can manage. So, even though a single event may seem trivial or unimportant to a parent or friend, what the teen is going through may feel severe to the teen. The real issue is not about the event that happened, it’s about the feelings invoked by the event – and those feelings are never trivial – they are monumentally important.”

Osborn agreed.

“It is important for friends and family to be aware if the teen is experiencing pressure or seems to be overwhelmed,” Osborn said. “It is very important to keep the lines of communication open.”

Communication is particularly helpful when the teen experiences one or more major losses or is facing stressful life events like a school problem, a breakup with a girlfriend or boyfriend, the death of a relative, or the divorce of his or her parents. At times like these, early warning signs can be when a teen exhibits one or more of the following:

• Lack of interest in favorite activities
• Trouble concentrating or thinking clearly
• Talk about feeling hopeless
•  Remarks about feeling guilty
• Changes in eating or sleeping habits
• Talk about death in general
• Talk about “going away”

“Adults should be alarmed and intervene whenever a teen is exhibiting self-destructive behavior like drinking alcohol, taking drugs or even driving recklessly,” Flory said.

Other warning signs that a teen or young adult is at-risk may include participating in one or more of the following activities:

• Begins collecting weapons
• Researches ways to die
• Gives away meaningful personal items
• Threatens suicide verbally
• Shows increased irritability
• Becomes happy for no reason after long depression
• Directly attempts suicide

 How can you help someone who is suicidal?

“Many times teens think they can help their close friends through issues – like experiencing suicidal thoughts – alone,” Osborn said. “It is obviously important to remain supportive, but if any individual is thinking about suicide, it is imperative to get professional help quickly. Go to an adult. If the first adult you approach does not understand or seems like they don’t want to listen, keep asking for help until your requests are genuinely heard. There is hope – teens can make their way out of their depression/suicidal ideation. Treatment really does help.”

Help is available. There are many resources for teens in need. If you or someone you know is considering suicide or is suffering from stress, depression or anxiety, ReDiscover or other community mental health agencies can help.

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Workload plunged woman into depression

By Brett Dalton
The Journal Staff

As she stood in the rain outside a convenience store, all Debby Tangblade could do is scream. The Lee’s Summit woman had had enough of just about everything. She’d had enough of work, and sometimes felt she’d had enough of life.

So on that rainy day in May 1999, near the end of a hellish work week, Tangblade tried to let it all out – her anger, her frustration, her pain. But she found out that all of the negative emotions she was feeling would last much longer than she expected.

“The last week I worked was a 93-hour week,” Tangblade said of that week in 1999 in which her bout with major depression began. “I was a distribution supervisor with a lot of responsibility in supervising, warehousing, shipping, computer systems and inventory control. That day I just snapped. I left work for an early lunch, stood in the rain in a parking lot and just screamed. I never made it back.”

Tangblade, who has battled depression for the past nine years, said her mental health “spiraled downward” after that day in the rain and said during her lowest point, she stayed in bed for the better part of seven months.

She said she could no longer do simple, everyday things such as read, write, drive, cook, make decisions or even be around people. She said her family life suffered, and she even forgot her sisters’ names.

“I became reclusive and wouldn’t allow my kids to open the door if I was near it,” she said. “Mostly, I just sat. It felt as if my brain said ‘enough is enough’ and just shut off.”

The depression was so bad, Tangblade said she gained nearly 90 pounds and even lifting her arms was “harder than any full day’s work I ever did.” Other medical conditions followed, she said.

Tangblade said she also suffered from the stigmas that surround mental health issues. She said those who don’t suffer from illnesses like depression can’t understand what she and so many others go through on a daily basis.

“I’ve had people tell me to just snap out of it,” she said. “People see me as lazy or think I just want to sit at home. People say, ‘Oh, it must be nice to sit at home every day and not do anything.’ Well it isn’t nice. It isn’t fun and it’s not a life anyone healthy actually chooses.

“Others can talk about their medical issues – cancer, heart disease, etc. – with some expectation of compassion,” she said. “People want to run if you tell them you have a mental illness that you need to see a doctor for.”

However, Tangblade is on the road to recovery thanks to her doctors and her support groups at Lee’s Summit’s ReDiscover, a nonprofit community mental health agency that offers programs and services for those with mental illness.

“With my support group, I know I will be 100 percent again, even though it’s been a long hard battle,” said Tangblade, who just recently began doing her own grocery shopping and conversing with others again.

She also said her recovery is being made possible by her husband and five daughters.

“I am lucky because I have a very supportive family,” she said. “I have been sick for a long time and have put them through a lot. But they’ve stood beside me. With the stuff I have put them through, their responses of love and support made me cry.”

Recovery wasn’t possible, however, until Tangblade acknowledged the severity of her mental illness.

“I think I started making improvements when I finally admitted that I was sick and learned to accept my illness,” she said. “(I’ve been) working with my doctor on medications and my therapist on life-coping skills, boundaries, balance and teachings on how to just get through the difficult days.”

Tangblade, who said her depression was brought on by her demanding work schedule, said she’s learned a lot from her bout with mental illness. She said she’s learned that mental health is just as important as physical health and added that anyone who is experiencing mental health issues should see a doctor immediately.

“There are doctors to help your brain sicknesses just as any other sickness,” said Tangblade, who has yet to return to the workforce, but who does volunteer at ReDiscover during the week. “There is no shame in getting help or talking about your illness. There is help, and there is no shame in seeking it.”

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