Mental Health Symposium: Signs of Suicide and the Importance of Self-Care
Published on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at 5:53 p.m.
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Rebecca Patterson speaks at the symposium. (Photo by Lance Gaither)
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Editor’s note: May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and Ephraim McDowell Health hosted a symposium on the topic. This is our second article on what was discussed at the symposium.
To foster discussion about mental health in the community, Ephraim McDowell Health and the Danville Rotary Club partnered to host a Mental Health Symposium at the Boyle County Library on May 29. During the symposium, Rebecca Patterson, clinical director and CEO of Nurture Nest Counseling, spoke about the signs and symptoms of suicide and the importance of self-care.
She shared mental health statistics for Kentucky: One in five adults experience a mental illness each year, which is on par with national statistics; Five percent of adults experience a serious mental illness, such as severe depression, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.
About 17 percent of Kentucky adolescents experience a major depressive episode each year, higher than the national average of 15 percent. According to the National Child Health Survey, 15 percent of Kentucky children ages 2 to 12 have at least one behavioral, developmental or emotional disorder, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or anxiety disorder.
“My hope today is that this symposium will inspire us to be more aware. Prevention starts with mental health awareness,” Patterson said. “You never know if it’s going to be you. It could be you or it could be someone around you. You’ll have the tools you need to support them.”
Patterson explained that mental health issues can manifest in different ways and have a range of symptoms that affect an individual’s emotional, psychological and behavioural functioning. Common symptoms can include persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety or irritability, which can interfere with daily life and relationships. Additionally, there can be changes in sleep patterns, appetite and concentration, as well as difficulties regulating mood, motivation and decision-making.
Other symptoms can include suicidal thoughts, self-harm, substance abuse etc. In some cases, mental health issues can also present as confused thinking, disorientation and hallucinations. Depression and anxiety can also lead to anger as children do not fully understand their emotions.
Patterson also said that mental disorders are often mistakenly diagnosed as ADHD.
“Mental illnesses can be complicated,” Patterson says. “Many of the symptoms you see can be a web of different issues. A professional can help you untangle the web and figure out what it is so they know what course of treatment to take.”
Kentucky has one of the highest suicide rates in the nation, with more than 800 Kentuckians dying by suicide each year.
“This is a leading cause of death for Kentuckians,” Patterson said, “affecting people ages 10 to 34. It’s shocking.”
The two main risk factors for suicide are mental illness, substance abuse, trauma or major changes in life. Most people who commit suicide in the state are men, with the highest rate being white men between the ages of 45 and 64.
Patterson explained that a strong sense of community is essential to preventing suicide.
“Having a safe environment where people can talk, or if they’re struggling with these issues, finding a community,” Patterson said. “Being that person for someone, letting them know they’re a safe person to be their true self. You have to have a village of people on your side.”
In extreme cases, emergency intervention may be required.
“If you believe someone is in imminent danger, you need to stay with that person and remove anything that could cause immediate harm,” Patterson said. “If the situation is critical, emergency services are needed. They will provide the resources they need to get that person to safety.”
