Suicide Warning Signs
Talking about suicide	Any talk about suicide, dying, or self-harm, such as "I wish I hadn't been born," "If I see you again...," and "I'd be better off dead."
Seeking out lethal means	Seeking access to guns, pills, knives, or other objects that could be used in a suicide attempt.
Preoccupation with death	Unusual focus on death, dying, or violence. Writing poems or stories about death.
No hope for the future	Feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, and being trapped ("There's no way out"). Belief that things will never get better or change.
Self-loathing, self-hatred	Feelings of worthlessness, guilt, shame, and self-hatred. Feeling like a burden ("Everyone would be better off without me").
Getting affairs in order	Making out a will. Giving away prized possessions. Making arrangements for family members.
Saying goodbye	Unusual or unexpected visits or calls to family and friends. Saying goodbye to people as if they won't be seen again.
Withdrawing from others	Withdrawing from friends and family. Increasing social isolation. Desire to be left alone.
Self-destructive behavior	Increased alcohol or drug use, reckless driving, unsafe sex. Taking unnecessary risks as if they have a "death wish."
Sudden sense of calm	A sudden sense of calm and happiness after being extremely depressed can mean that the person has made a decision to commit suicide.

Bibliography

"Depression Statistics" Depressionhelpspot.com. March 31.2011. Organization/publisher. < http://www.depressionhelpspot.com/depression_statistics.html >

Wyatt Myers "What causes Depression" everydayhealth.com. 2013. Medically reviewed by Pat. F. Bass III, MD, MPH < http://www.everydayhealth.com/depression/understanding/what-causes-depression.aspx>

Lewinsohn, M. Peter, Control Your Depression. New York, New York, 1992. Fireside Edition

Ashlee Davis “How to help Someone Who’s depressed”.http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20452135,00.html 2013

Authors: Melinda Smith, M.A., Jeanne Segal, Ph.D., and Lawrence Robinson“Suicide Prevention” healthguide.org. April 2013 <http://www.helpguide.org/mental/suicide_prevention.htm?>

Authors: Melinda Smith, M.A., Jeanne Segal, Ph.D., and Lawrence Robinson“Depression Symptons” healthguide.org. March 2013 <http://www.helpguide.org/mental/depression_signs_types_diagnosis_treatment.htm>

Authors: Melinda Smith, M.A., Jeanne Segal, Ph.D., and Lawrence Robinson“Suicide Help” healthguide.org. January 2013 <http://www.helpguide.org/mental/suicide_help.htm>

Authors: Melinda Smith, M.A., Jeanne Segal, Ph.D., and Lawrence Robinson“Bipolar Disorder” healthguide.org. December 2012 <http://www.helpguide.org/mental/bipolar_disorder_symptoms_treatment.htm>

“Recognizing Suicidal Behavior” webmd.org. 2013 <http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/recognizing-suicidal-behavior>

“Know The Signs” 2013 http://www.suicideispreventable.org/

Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director and Director of Didactic Curriculum, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, and David B. Merrill, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M. Health Solutions, Ebix, Inc. “Suicide & Suicidal behavior”. Health.nyties.com. 2012. <http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/suicide-and-suicidal-behavior/overview.html>

“Suicide: Common Warning Signs”. 2013. www.health.ov.sk.ca <http://www.health.gov.sk.ca/suicide-common-warning-signs>

Erica Techo. “Better ‘Safe Than Sorry’:Noticing sign of suicidal behavior in friends.” redandblack.com 2012 <http://www.redandblack.com/news/better-safe-than-sorry-noticing-signs-of-suicidal-behavior-in/article_b5db9012-005b-11e2-b742-0019bb30f31a.html>

http://www.spring.org.uk/2008/01/6-self-help-books-for-depression.php


This is a link for 6 books recommended by experts. These books help people cope with depression and ways to overcome it. I strongly recommend these books for people who not only feel sad, but perhaps look at your local bookstores for books that can help you help someone else who is going through depression. As I ask myself as well, ask yourself what can you do to prevent suicide from occurring to others around you. As we all know, depression does not only affect adults but children as well. School peer pressure and bullying are some prime causes for young students to commit suicide. As elders, it is our responsibility to speak out for those who may have already passed, or those who are too scared to speak. We must educate students of consequences of bullying and help students understand there is life after middle school or high school. 

This represents everything I believe in now. Although I may be a single mother, I must remind myself "It's never too late to life Happily Ever After". This quote does not only have to represent love, but all aspects of life. It is never to late to live out your dream or complete your bucket list. Life is full of the unexpected and unknown possibilities. When things don't go according to plan I repeat one saying in my mind over and over again "I'm too blessed to be stressed, I'm too blessed to be stressed." I remind myself of the good I have in my life and the possibilities that are still available to me.

FAITH

Faith

Faith, is all we have, to make it through the day.
Faith, that when we are lost, we will find our way.

I found this poem online written by Iris Park. I believe it goes perfect with my topic because although life is rough, faith is what helps us strive to move forward. Faith in God, faith in a brighter day, and faith that life is not over. When I was lost and down, i lost my faith. However faith is so strong that although I pushed friends and family away, God never left me. I was able to find my strength through God and realized there is more to life than what meets the eye. God has a brighter plan for me.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH   


    I am a 24 year old student who is also a single mother. I have had hardships just as everyone else had, and this is why I chose my topic to be about depression and why tragically it may turn into suicide. As I began my research topic I knew that depression and suicide are both sensitive subjects. However, I wanted people to be aware that suicide is preventable and although you might not know someone who is suicidal, depressed, or has committed suicide, it is important to know ways to help someone deal  with this if you ever come across this. I created my research project because although hard times may come, there can always be a brighter solution. The DIE method also helped me comprehend what I could do to help others in the future. Listening to what is being said and what is not can make all the difference in someones life. When I became overwhelmed with the sadness of losing so many loved ones due to cancer, I also be came consumed in responsibility by raising my daughter alone. On top of everything, I felt as if my dreams of going to school and having a career as a nurse were crumbling before my eyes. It had been over three years since I had attended school and I had lost all faith in God. But as I pulled myself out of sadness, I began to see that life was not as stressful as it needed to be. Finding God again and restoring my faith helped me move on. Although I was never to the point to where I was suicidal, stress can put anyone in a “funk”. It’s up to friends and family members to show that person life will be okay.

CVP 6

CVP 6: CRITICAL LENSES

Part 1 Descriptive Lenses
Descriptive lenses are things “we can experience with our senses” such as touch, smell, taste, and hear. Visual arts and performing arts are apart of our descriptive lenses. Particularly the performing arts stands out to me when discussing my topic which is Suicide and what exactly leads people to commit suicide when they become overwhelmed with depression. In my opinion, film can have an effect on people who are dealing with depression. Watching movie about suicidal characters or characters dealing with the same problems they are, can influence those on the verge of suicide to commit the act. Movies also give viewers the perspective of other people involved including the suppressed. As we watch a film who addresses this subject, we can see different points of view as opposed to just our own when living in real time. When looking through this particular lens, I begin to wonder exactly how much effect television and movies have on people who are socially or mentally ill. Does this false world give people hope? Does it cause them to become more depressed?  How many people have committed suicide over something they have watched through performing arts? An example that I found was from the movie Shawshank Redemption. In this movie, Brooks, a main character, is released from prison after serving 50 years. When he is released on parole the overwhelming environment around him and his lack of connection to the world leads him to commit suicide only days after his release. Perhaps many people can relate to Brooks in the sense that they feel a lack of connection to the real world.

Part 1: EVALUATIVE LENSES
According to our lesson, Evaluative lenses focus on what is in the background that influences how you describe and interpret things. “When one is able to unlock the past and to get to the origin or source of an idea, one has the power to change it.” For my assignment I will be focusing mainly on the Philosophy portion of this lens. “philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems concerning subjects such as existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind and language.” I chose this particular lens because I believe the way you speak to a certain individual as well as how you react to their behaviors can have a significant impact on a person. An example of this is when parents belittle their children or use verbal abuse. The lack of ability to communicate in a supportive and loving manner can lead a child to become depressed and less vocal about their feelings. Children lack a sense of rationality and perhaps hear of suicide and commit suicide not knowing the actual outcome of their actions is death. On April 16, 2013 a young boy at the age of 13 in Palmdale, CA, who was allegedly bullied was found dead with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. I believe it is our job as parents to consistently be apart of our children's’ lives and to be able to communicate with young children to understand their feelings and to help them cope with their surroundings. Not only is it important to listen, and discuss feelings, but it is equally important to observe the actions of loved ones around us. Just because they say everything is okay, does not mean that it is. We must make it our duty to notice what is not being said and why they are avoiding this particular conversation. This lens brings several questions up such as “Were their warning signs?” “Was this suicide preventable?” “What was the cause of the suicide?”

Part 1: INTERPRETIVE LENSES
Interpretive Lenses focuses on language and communication and the importance of language to communicate with one another. Communication is the process of sending messages from one person to another whether it is through body language, words, or vocality. I chose to deal with this specific portion of the interpretive lenses because it is important to communicate with friends and family members if you become depressed or suicidal. Typically, when a person is either of these things, their communication skills are minimal but subtly present. Although a person may not be able to have the strength to admit they’re depressed or having suicidal thoughts, body language may also be key to awareness. People have the ability to communicate through non-verbal communication which can make it easier to understand how a person is really feelings. Their bodily gestures, facial expressions, lack of eye contact, or physical appearance can show family members and friends a side of them that is not being expressed through vocality. This particular lens can open up several  questions as to “were their warning signs?” “Was there proper communication through both parties?” and “What was said or done that could have prevented the suicide?” By understanding the importance of communication, we can begin to see past what is merely said to the world, and look beyond. When speaking with individuals who admit to being depressed and seek counseling or other help, perhaps we could find out whether or not they tried to express their feelings to others.