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National Suicide Prevention Month 2023

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suicide prevention

By Ashley Barnes What is National Suicide Prevention Month? National Suicide Prevention Month spans the entirety of September with the goal of uniting mental health professionals, prevention organizations, survivors, allies, and community members to promote suicide prevention awareness; this is achieved through educating others with the use of resources, research, and powerful stories. September also hosts National Suicide Prevention Week from September 4th through September 10th as well as World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10th. Suicide Prevention. It is important to recognize warning signs of suicide as well as understand it’s prevalence in order to work towards suicide prevention. Suicide describes the act of ending one’s own life. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States (CDC, 2021). Research has found that around 46% of people who die by suicide have a known mental health condition …

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How Often Does ADHD Co-Occur with Bipolar Disorder?

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how often does adhd co-occur with bipolar disorder?

Reports claim attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may co-occur with bipolar disorder (BD). In a study of over 650,000 participants, researchers found one in thirteen adults with ADHD also had bipolar disorder. They also found that one in six adults with bipolar disorder had ADHD. Another study suggests up to 80% of children with bipolar disorder also have ADHD. Statistics prove that when someone is diagnosed with bipolar disorder, they should also be evaluated for ADHD and vice versa. To better understand how often they co-occur, you must learn more about each condition separately. What is ADHD? Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder was once diagnosable as either attention deficit disorder (ADD), with or without hyperactivity. Today, they are listed as one condition in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM5). There are three subtypes of ADHD, including: Primarily Inattentive Primarily Hyperactive and Impulsive Combined ADHD is a …

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Talking to a Loved One About Memory Decline

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suicide prevention

By Ashley Barnes, M.S. Memory Decline If you’re reading this blog post, you’ve likely noticed a loved one’s memory declining and may wonder if this is an indication of a developing neurocognitive disorder like dementia. Maybe you’ve noticed cognitive changes in a grandparent or great-grandparent, a parent, a sibling, or a friend. Early signs of a neurocognitive disorder are personality changes, trouble with memory, reduced gaze, trouble managing money, engaging in repetitive behaviors, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, poor decision making, and trouble with finding the right words; perhaps some of these symptoms are jumping out at you. You may want to address your concerns or your loved one’s concerns about their memory so that they feel less alone. Here are some tips on how to navigate the conversation and connect your loved one with good care: Preparation Before having the conversation, you may want to consider whether they have already inquired about …

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How to Talk to Aging Parents About Memory Loss

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Medically reviewed by Dr. Mark Hrymoc, M.D.
how to talk to aging parents about memory loss

Talking to aging parents about memory loss requires empathy and sensitivity. Choose a comfortable setting, use clear and gentle language, and express concern without alarm. Offering support, discussing professional evaluation, and emphasizing that memory issues might be treatable can make the conversation more constructive and less intimidating. Cognitive decline, including memory loss, affects many older adults. Some symptoms are a natural part of aging, while others signal a more serious condition. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 11.1% of adults over 65 self-report that they have been experiencing a worsening of confusion and memory problems within the last twelve months.  If you are a child of an aging parent with cognitive decline, you have likely noticed that their memory is not what it once was. You may need to talk to them about their memory loss but aren’t sure what to say or how to say it. …

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5 Tips on Navigating Caregiving

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suicide prevention

By Ashley Barnes, M.S. Caregivers Rosalind Carter, former First Lady of the United States once said that “there are only four kinds of people in this world: those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers and those who will need caregivers. Caregiving is universal.” A caregiver is a paid or unpaid member of a person’s social network who looks after a sick, elderly, or disabled person. Oftentimes, caregivers are family members. Caregivers assist a person with tasks of daily living such as grocery shopping and cooking, housework, transportation, medical care, bathing, managing personal services (like talking to doctors or paying bills), and much more. Caregiving can be mentally, emotionally, and physically taking for caregivers which can then impact the quality of caregiving. The following are tips on how to better navigate caregiving in a way that is beneficial to both the caregiver and …

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