How Will Opiates Kill Thee, Let Me Count the Ways…

Your may think that opium addiction is a 19^th century problem, but opium is still affecting the emotional health, and overall wellbeing, of people today. In fact, with the exception of alcohol, more people die from opiate-related complications than from all other substances of abuse combined. Opiate addiction is impacting the wellness of a whole new generation, in five different ways:

 

1) Overdose: When you abuse opiates, your body naturally develops a tolerance for the drug to help mitigate its effects. The more you use opiates, the stronger your level of tolerance becomes and so you need increasingly higher doses in order to achieve the same or greater buzz. Users therefore take more opiates, take other drugs to enhance the euphoric effects and even maximise the impact of opiates by taking them in the most effective way possible; by direct injection into the blood stream. It’s easy to see how this can lead to an overdose, as many addicts increase their consumption too rapidly and, for some, the ultimate consequence is death.

 

2) Suicide: While opium delivers a potent high, in the long run it robs you of your ability to feel happiness, arousal, excitement and many other positive feelings. This state, referred to as Dysphoria, occurs because you chemically stimulate your brain to obtain feelings of euphoria, and so your body becomes desensitized to the processes that causes joyful feelings in the first place. When this happens, you cannot feel joy unless you are high and, eventually, even using opium doesn’t help you to experience positive feelings. This causes many people who are addicted to opiates become despondent and lose hope, repeatedly trying to stop using and failing, which leads them to simply give up and attempt suicide.

 

3) Disease: The best way to get high is through direct injection, which is why many addicts are greatly at risk of disease. As a result of needle sharing, HIV and Hepatitis C are especially common among those looking for the most intense and fastest acting high. Aside from these diseases, opiate addicts are also at risk of dying from septic shock, cardiac arrest, respiratory depression and in severe cases, malnutrition.

 

4) Violence: When you’re in the deepest throes of addiction, you might do anything to get you next dose of heroin or Oxycontin. This often means committing crimes to fund your drug abuse, and this can sometimes result in violent situations. Plus, as it is illegal to use these drugs, opiate addicts put themselves in dangerous transactions with dealers, transporters, suppliers and law enforcement. Opiate addiction also reduces your judgement, which means you’re in even more trouble if you end up in a violent situation, as you’re incapacitated by the effects of the drug. You’re more likely to take dangerous risks that you wouldn’t otherwise take, and end up severely harmed or even dead as a result.

 

5) Withdrawal and Treatment-Related Death: Although coming off the drugs or getting treatment is a positive thing, there are many ways in which opiate addicts can die during this process. In most cases, you die because you completely or partially withdraw from the drugs, which lowers your tolerance for them, but then you relapse and take too much and die from overdose. If you’re in a treatment programme, you might continue to use opiates while on Opiate Replacement Therapy (ORT) drugs, and the combination of these substances can lead to severe complications, new addictions and death in some cases. This is because ORT drugs work by blocking the euphoric effects of most opiates, which you then attempt to overcome by taking more.

Categories: direct injection, drugs, euphoric effects, opiate, opiate addiction, opiate addicts, opiates, ort drugs, overdose, positive feelings, suicide

Why Do Transgender People Face Higher Mental Health Risks?

It’s not hard to see how being transgender can affect your mental wellbeing; not only do you have to come to terms with your gender identity, but you also face more mental distress as a result of the social disapproval and discrimination you encounter. Research shows that, as a transgender person, you come across harassment, discrimination and even violence in all areas of life, including health provision, corporate wellness, social exclusion and hate crime. This makes you a high risk for depression, self-harm and suicide.

 

In 2007, a survey of 872 trans people showed that a third (34%) of respondents had considered suicide, which is considerably higher than the general population. This is because transgender people come up against a whole host of difficulties, including:

 

1. Lack of understanding from your loved ones, employer, medical professionals and others.

2. Trouble finding work or keeping your job once your background becomes known to others.

3. Rejection by your family and friends.

4. Negative or hurtful comments from transphobic people.

5. Intimidation and violence on the streets and outside your home.

6. Being stared at and laughed at when you’re out running errands.

7. Bullying and name-calling

 

According to Ady Davis, a psychosexual therapist with the North-East Gender Dysphoria Service, ‘The main issues that affect the mental wellbeing of trans people are related to discrimination.’ This discrimination may cause you to feel conflict within yourself, as you may, for example, have certain religious beliefs that discriminate against your trans status. You may also experience conflict in your relationships, be it with your parents, school or workplace. There’s also wider discrimination from society.

 

‘Some trans people can’t do everyday activities such as going shopping without getting stared at, attracting comments, having their self-esteem knocked or experiencing violence on occasion,’ Davis explains. ‘When you put them together, all these difficulties can have a massive impact on mental health. Trans people may isolate themselves, and they may experience feelings of depression, suicide or self-harm. For example, they may mutilate their bodies by trying to remove the parts they’re not happy with, such as their breasts or penis. They may also start using alcohol or drugs as a way to escape.’

 

If you are questioning your gender, feeling you should be the opposite gender or feeling that you have no gender at all, there is help available to ensure you don’t fall prey to these mental health problems. Davis notes, ‘If this is a temporary doubt that lasts no more than a few months, it may be something you resolve yourself, but if your feelings of gender discomfort are consistent, you can get support that can help you feel more comfortable with your gender identity.’ Areas of support include:

 

Your GP: This is the first port of call when you’re questioning your gender, as your doctor can directly refer you to the appropriate service.

 

Community Support Groups: Look on charity websites such as The Gender Trust, Mermaids and The Beaumont Society to find groups in your area for trans people and their families. Local lesbian, gay and bisexual groups also have information about support for trans people.

 

Helplines: NHS Direct 111 and the Samaritans (08457 90 90 90), as well as your GP, can give you confidential, non-judgemental emotional support if you are having depressed, self harm or suicidal thoughts.

 

Psychological therapy: Davis notes, ‘All types of treatment generally aim to get someone to a point where they feel more content in their gender…For example, someone may want to express a female side but fear of telling a partner is preventing them. In this case, a therapist would help the trans person to express those feelings, and to work out how they would be accepted in the relationship. The therapist may talk to the partner as well. If they accept it, that may be enough.’

Categories: davis notes, Discrimination, Gender, gender identity, Mental Health, mental wellbeing, nbsp, people, suicide, trans people, Transgender People

Warning: Suicide Attempts in Mental Health Patients on Rise

The number of suicide amongst patients with mental wellness problems has risen, reaching an unprecedented level. Now calls are being made to improve home treatment safety for those with mental and emotional problems.

A study into the situation in Britain has highlighted a lower in the rates of homicide and in increase in the risk of suicide. This report was carried out by the National confidential inquiry into suicide and homicide by people with mental illness records and analyses these statistics in an attempt to improve the wellbeing of those who suffer from mental illness.

Statistics show that in 2011, 1,333 mental health patients committed suicide, which is up significantly from 1,175 in 2010. It may be the case that the difficult economic climate in the country at the moment is contributing towards these increased suicide rates, as people find themselves stuck in worrying financial situations and feel unable to see any way out of them due to their illness.

Researchers who took part in the study are now calling for mental health services to improve their safety measures when they are aware of a mental health patient who is receiving home treatment (rather than in hospital). Data shows that there are twice as many suicides amongst those who are being treated at home compared to those who are being treated with inpatient care at a hospital or mental health facility.

The report also states that carers should be particularly aware of mental health patients who live alone, who don’t have a support network or who refuse mental health treatment. When a patient is discharged from hospital into the community there should also be a concerted effort to ensure that an appropriate treatment plan and support system is put in place to enable them to continue their treatment smoothly whilst living and independent life.

 

Categories: health, mental, suicide

Suicide: Who’s at Risk and How Can You Help?

In England, suicide claims the life of one person every two hours. This equates to 4,400 people committing suicide each year, and at least 10 times that number attempt to take their own lives. There are certain genetic factors at play which may make you or a loved one more likely to consider suicide, such as gender and age, but there are also behavioural patterns to watch out for in case you think a loved one’s mental wellbeing is at risk.

 

In almost all cultures, the suicide rate rises with age and roughly 75% of suicides are men. In the UK, the group with the highest number of suicides is men aged 35 – 49. However, there are also behavioural and environmental risk factors which may serve as a warning about your loved one’s mental wellness. These include drug and alcohol misuse, unemployment, social isolation, poverty, poor social conditions, imprisonment, violence and family breakdown. Mental health conditions are also a major factor, as roughly 90% of suicide victims suffer from a psychiatric disorder at the time of their death.

 

If a loved one has already attempted suicide, they are at an increased risk of pulling it off. Nearly 20% of suicide attempt survivors try again within a year, and this group of people is 100 times more likely to go on to complete suicide than those who have never attempted it. However, suicidal thoughts or tendencies are often temporary, and you can reduce your loved one’s risk of trying to take their own life if you find them appropriate and timely help and emotional support.

 

A focused campaign has, in recent years, lowered the numbers of suicides among younger men aged 25 – 34, as this was previously the highest category. Warning signs of suicides – such as evidence of self-harm or suicidal thoughts – can provide potential opportunities to intervene and save lives. However, prevention of suicide is not the exclusive responsibility of any one individual or sector of society. While schools can create a culture in which young people feel safe and comfortable talking through their difficulties, GPs can restrict the number of tablets prescribed to those at risk of overdose. A&E staff can ensure that anyone who attempts suicide will receive a specialist mental health assessment, and you can play your part by paying close attention to the overall mental health of your loved ones.

Categories: prevention, risk factors, suicide

How can you tell Someone May be at Risk of Suicide?

Research shows that people attempt suicide because they don’t feel able to cope with the psychological pain they’re experiencing, and doubt that it will ever get better. Though it may sound intuitive, new studies show that this reasoning could be more accurate than it simply being a cry for help, as previous research has suggested. There were two motivations brought to the fore on this study, being the unbearable psychological pain and feelings of hopelessness that things would ever improve. The study was carried out by psychologists at the University of British Columbia in Canada. The findings of the study could be of extreme importance when it comes to identifying which patients are most at risk of suicide. Past research has focused more on the demographics or how genetics play a role in suicide risks, such as the theory that children with autism are at a higher risk of suicide. Depression has also been connected with suicide – however, such a broad generalisation could mean that researchers are overlooking the key factors which could help patients in the future.

 

Researchers need to gain a more in-depth understanding of what makes people attempt suicide, in order to improve treatments and diagnoses. To do this, researchers developed a questionnaire which helped experts clarify what motivations people tended towards when they attempted suicide. It was given to 120 people who had attempted suicide in the last three years in British Columbia. Over half of the people were from the general public and had an average age of 38. The other half of the group consisted of undergraduates with an average age of 21 – most had attempted suicide between one and three times, with one participant attempting suicide 15 times. Most people cited unbearable psychological distress and hopelessness as their reasoning for suicide – most had also claimed to have considered suicide for years.

 

The research shows that measures such as installing nets under bridges can help to prevent suicides because they provide enough time for one’s mental attitude to improve enough to get them out of the suicidal mindset. Over this time, their mental health incrementally improves until they can bear the pain long enough to seek help. There could also be some importance in separating those who think about suicide and those who act on it – studies suggest that people suffering with depression who don’t attempt suicide may be just as unhappy and hopeless, but simply more scared, than those who do.

Categories: depression, new study, suicide

How Can You Spot the Signs of Potential Teen Suicide?

Research has shown that one in twenty teenagers is affected by depression, which involves symptoms such as irritability, tearfulness, moodiness and overwhelming negative feelings. Someone who is depressed may also lose interest in the basic aspects of their life, such as friendship groups, hygiene and their appearance – they may seem tired all the time or have a poor appetite, which can lead to weight loss. In children, it’s also important to watch out for feelings of isolation, fear of talking to friends or family members about how they feel, and situations in which the child may act out as a way of expressing their emotions rather than verbalising them.

There are various events which can trigger depression, such as the death of a family member or a friend, drug abuse or money problems. Depression can develop into the individual becoming a suicide risk, as they feel as though they have no way out of their emotional hole. In children under the age of 14, suicide is rare as they lack the understanding and ability to act on their thoughts. However, in older children, the number of suicide cases is rising. Young women are more likely to resort to self harm and attempted suicide, rather than suicide itself.

If you think your child or a friend may be at risk of suicidal attempts, there are ways you can help them. Often, speaking to someone outside of your family or friends can help, so perhaps guide them in the direction of a trusted teacher, their doctor or a counselor who can offer impartial advice. Helplines such as Childline are also useful as the individual can talk openly about their fears and feelings without the worry of being judged. If the person is suffering with severe depression, there are medication options which can help alleviate the symptoms, so they should speak to their GP if this is the case who can then prescribe the correct dose.

How Can You Spot the Signs of Potential Teen Suicide?

Categories: Child Wellness, Children, depression, Family, feelings, Mental Health, suicide

US Uni Leads the Way with a Community of Mental Wellness

If the University of Virginia has always had mental wellness as central focus, then the series of mass shootings, in which students lost their lives, has strengthened its resolve to provide better access to mental health resources. However, this is a year-round task for the wellness experts and care-providers at the institution.

According to Hillary Barry, the peer health education coordinator at the University’s Office of Health Promotion, one of the first steps to increasing access to mental health resources is to remove the stigma and misconceptions that surround mental illness. ‘38% of UVa students felt they needed help with mental health in the past year. [Being aware that these problems exist] is much more important to a successful college experience than students might realize,’ she said.

Jamie Leonard, director of the Office of Health Promotion, noted, ‘We’re looking at the needs of the students, and more students come into the University with a diagnosable mental disorder. We are better at diagnosing now.’ The main arm of the University’s attempts to address the students’ mental wellbeing is the Student Health’s Counselling and Psychological Services (CAPS), which provides access to counselling, sponsors mental wellness events and runs a strong suicide prevention programme. Interim Director Matt Zimmerman said, ‘The policy is strong, and may contribute to reducing the risk of suicide at U.Va. The suicide rate is one-third of the national average for public universities our size.’

However, when first year student Jake Cusano did commit suicide, the coordinated response of the various mental health organisations the University has in place, showcased them all at their best. The Office of the Dean of Students identified students most in need of support and reached out to CAPS, who then teamed up with resident life to hold hall meetings in Cusano’s dorm.

According to Cusano’s close friend Andrew Kwon, the 2016 First Year Council president, the resident life community was a great resource for grief-stricken students. ‘The RA in Jake’s hall is doing a really good job of getting everyone on the same page and keeping everyone in perspective. We leaned on each other during that time period, [and] made sure to continue communicating.’ CAPS Crisis Management Coordinator Lenny Carter spoke about the grieving process at the vigil, which, to Kwon, ‘showed everyone that came how strong the U.Va. community and support system we have really is.’

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US Uni Leads the Way with a Community of Mental Wellness

Categories: mental wellness programme, suicide, university

Why Are Men More Likely to Commit Suicide than Women?

In Singapore, men are more likely to end their own lives than women are, according to a new report. The Samaritans of Singapore (SOS), a non-profit organisation dedicated to suicide prevention, have reported that suicide claims the life of one Singaporean every day, which, in the last decade, have been consistently more men than women.

According to the SOS, in 2010, 227 men’s and 126 women’s mental health was affected to the point where they chose to commit suicide. Ms Evelyn Boon, Senior Principal Psychologist, Department of Psychiatry, Singapore General Hospital (SGH), explained, ‘The act of suicide can be attributed to many factors, such as relationship woes, financial troubles, extreme loneliness, work stress, life situations like divorce and death, or psychiatric conditions like depression.’

When it came to mental wellness and gender, Ms Boon said men may appear to be more at risk of committing suicide than women because men and women cope with stress differently. She explained, ‘Women tend to relieve stress by crying or confiding in support networks of family and friends. But men, brought up to be strong and to not shed any tears, may not feel so comfortable talking about their emotions as they perceive them to be a sign of weakness.’

Other reasons include a potentially male tendency to seek solutions, instead of support, in difficult situations, but, ‘when there is no solution in sight, they feel frustrated and powerless,’ says Ms Boon.  Also, ‘losing face’ in a crisis can be a factor: ‘For instance, if a man is undergoing a divorce, losing his spouse and children (i.e. essentially his family, his purpose and even his role) can be a huge blow to his ego,’ Ms Boon adds.

However, the reason may lie in the more successful methods of suicide that men choose, as opposed to less lethal methods than women opt for. Ms Boon says that men are more at risk of actually completing a suicide ‘because once men have made up their minds, they tend to choose more lethal (jumping or stabbing, etc.) means of killing themselves.’

Just because a person’s mental wellbeing is affected by suicidal thoughts, it doesn’t have to end with a suicidal act.  Boon says, ‘men should learn to realise that it is okay for them to cry, reach out to loved ones and share their problems.’ She also recommends physical exercise to relieve stress, and seeking the help of a mental wellness professional: ‘It will be more effective for the person to consult a mental health professional who will be able to explain that suicidal feelings are normal and often temporary. The professional can help the person work through his suicidal feelings.’

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Why Are Men More Likely to Commit Suicide than Women?

Categories: men, suicide, Women