Mental Health And Life Expectancy

 

As we’ve discussed many times before on our blogs, living with an untreated mental illness can be absolutely devastating. But can it actually shorten your life? According to some new research from U.S. News & World Reportthe answer is yes. But most alarming is the fact that it can impact life expectancy as much as smoking and even diabetes.

 

Over 3,000 different communities took part in this study, which touched on a variety of health-related spectrums. Everything from nutrition, to housing, to education was measured, all in the hopes of understanding what can help Americans live long and fruitful lives. Of course it’s not a stretch to think that a mental illness could shorten your years (issues like suicide and anorexia come to mind), but the fact that it’s on par with cigarette consumption or a debilitating disease like diabetes is surprising.

 

Garth Graham, president of the Aetna Foundation, spoke to the press following the findings. He too was quite surprised to see mental health rank so high as a life expectancy hindrance; particularly since it was not at this level for several years prior.

 

“I at first wanted us to double check,” Graham told CNBC. “Mental health did not have as strong of an effect last year. However, the change is consistent with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data that showed increasing opioid overdoses and suicides weighed on U.S. life expectancy.”

 

Indeed, mental health and addiction often go hand in hand. Those dealing with depression and similar issues often turn to substances to help numb the pain. America’s opioid crisis certainly isn’t helping matters either, with many fatal overdoses that appear to be intentional.

 

Several states were named in the study as having been the most impacted by mental illness. Nebraska, for example, saw life expectancy shorten significantly because of depression and addiction. They see roughly 26 suicides to every 100,000 people and the count is quite similar when it comes to drug-related overdoses. New Mexico, Ohio and Maryland were also named as having shorter life spans due to mental health struggles.

 

The only silver lining we can see is that issues like this are most certainly treatable. As opposed to something like diabetes, mental health does not have cut your life short. Counseling, support systems and proper therapeutic care can make a major difference. If you or someone you care about is struggling, please do not hesitate to reach out.

 

The Reality Of Survivor’s Guilt

 

This past month, there have been several troubling stories about Survivor’s Guilt and the suicides of those closely impacted by the Sandy Hook and Parkland shootings. Tragically, those who lived through those traumatic incidents wound up taking their own lives during pivotal anniversary dates and remembrances. The truth of the matter is, this is a very real issue and one that deserves to be addressed.

 

Three key figures in those prior tragedies took their lives in March 2019. Jeremy Richman was the father of a Sandy Hook student who was murdered in the 2012 massacre. His suicide was discovered this past Monday. Just a few days prior, Sydney Aiello and an unnamed Parkland student also killed themselves after having survived that 2018 attack.

 

With more incidents like these occurring, it is likely that suicidal tendencies will begin to emerge within the circles around the victims. It is said that these feelings may be even stronger among teenagers, as their coping skills haven’t fully matured.

 

Phyllis Alongi, a former clinical director at the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide, was interviewed for NBC News, addressing the survivor’s guilt phenomenon and how it can impact young people.

 

“The degree to which survivor’s guilt impacts someone’s life may depend on the level of trauma they were exposed to, as well as any pre-existing vulnerabilities to depression and anxiety they had before the event,” she explained. “The issue with a lot of these teens is their problem solving, perception, and coping skills are still immature and underdeveloped, so they’re already at a disadvantage.”

 

And it is apparent that the survivor’s pain can manifest itself in multiple ways. Addiction is a common occurrence for those who have gone through traumatic incidents. People often turn to drugs and alcohol to “numb pain,” though, in reality, these habits only add fuel to the fire.

 

As more of these stories have gone public, other high-profile survivors have spoken out and offered public support. 37-year-old Zach Cartaya, for example, went through the horrific Columbine shootings in 1999. Since then, he has become an outspoken advocate for survivors’ mental health.

 

Cartaya was quoted for the NBC article as well, explaining how his grief turned to anger and later addiction. Now, he works to connect those in similar situation to outreach centers and suicide prevention resources.

 

“It’s so easy to feel isolated after something like this,” Cartaya told the site. “You don’t have to be alone.”

 

If this sounds like a familiar scenario to you, please reach out and let one of our trained professionals help.

 

More Young Adults Are Contemplating Suicide

We all know that your late teens and early 20’s can be a stressful time. Gaining independence and beginning a college career, or perhaps first entering the workforce and taking on new responsibilities…Regardless of what the journey may be, those years have traditionally been associated with with anxiety, depression and self doubt. But now it appears as though things have taken a turn for the worse. According to new research, the rate of adolescents experiencing mental health struggles and suicidal thoughts has jumped up by 52 percent since 2005.

The time span of the study ran from 2005 to 2017. Even more alarming is the fact that the percentage switches to 63 percent if you measure just the past eight years alone. USA Today touched on the research on their site, sharing modern stressors that may be contributing to the uptick. One big call out was digital media usage, as in social networks where issues like cyber-bullying run rampant. There have also been economic woes, global fears, gender struggles and (as we know right here in Los Angeles) a sharp rise in homelessness.

Interestingly, the depression and suicidal stats remained somewhat stagnant among older adults within the same time period. In our opinion, this truly goes to show that the newer generations have much more pressure than ever before.

San Diego State University professor Jean Twenge co-authored the report and shared her own reasons for these alarming stats.

“Cultural trends in the last 10 years may have had a larger effect on mood disorders and suicide-related outcomes among younger generations compared with older generations,” she explained. “These results suggest a need for more research to understand how digital communication versus face-to-face social interaction influences mood disorders and suicide-related outcomes and to develop specialized interventions for younger age groups.”

Indeed, other studies have shown that depression and anxiety now rank higher among this set than even drug or alcohol abuse. Many young people are also closely connected to their phones and the web, which can often lead to more harm than good. Upsetting news amongst their Facebook circle, rejections from dating apps and potential trolling from unwanted associates all play a big part in a person’s self-esteem.

Whatever the reason, if you or someone you are close to is a young person struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts, please know that help is readily available. There is no doubt that the modern world can be a difficult place to navigate through, but with professional support and guidance there is always a brighter tomorrow.

The Truth About ‘Smiling Depression’

 

There are certain warning signs that are easy to decipher when diagnosing a person with depression. But others are much more subtle and can be overlooked. In fact a close person in your life may be struggling with severe mental health issues, yet present themselves in a happy or positive way. We feel it is important to bring topics like “smiling depression” to the forefront because it is these cases that can leave people unprepared for severe consequences (such as a surprise suicide, perhaps).

 

The Fix recently covered this topic on their blog page, highlighting just how common it is for a depressed person to put on the facade of happiness. In fact, their research shows that up to 40 percent of people who suffer from depression may not exhibit outward symptoms (such as crying, sadness and the inability to get out of bed).

 

“It can be very hard to spot people suffering from smiling depression,” Science Alert researcher Olivia Remes told the site. “They may seem like they don’t have a reason to be sad—they have a job, an apartment and maybe even children or a partner. They smile when you greet them and can carry pleasant conversations. In short, they put on a mask to the outside world while leading seemingly normal and active lives.”

 

Remes went on to say that there can be other visible symptoms of smiling depression beyond outward unhappiness. Call outs included sudden weight gain, a change in appetite, constant sleepiness and increased withdrawals from social events. So people suffering from this could be quite jovial when they see you, but still change certain behavioral patterns.

 

University of Michigan professor Dr.Michelle B. Riba was also quoted on the site. She actually felt that people who fall under the smiling depression category may not even realize that they themselves have a problem.

 

“Many people will come to their doctor complaining about sleep problems, or headaches, not realizing that it’s a mood disorder because they don’t have low mood,” she explained. “Not all symptoms of depression always occur at once.”

 

Eventually though, the dark feelings do catch up to you and that’s where a condition like this could really get serious. How many times have we heard about seemingly “happy” people taking their own lives? If you ask us, it is always important to check in with those close to you and lend support if you suspect that smiling depression may be lurking underneath an upbeat smile.

 

Addictions And Suicides Are Lowering U.S. Life Expectancy

 

If you think mental health and addiction aren’t creating a ripple effect in this country, you may want to look at the latest stats released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  Their new research shows that the country’s life expectancy rate has lowered for the third year in a row due primarily to these issues. Now, American babies born this year aren’t expected to live past 78 years old.

 

The way these stats are calculated has to do with U.S. death rates as a whole. And not surprisingly (with the opioid addiction crisis in full swing), overdoses lead the pack. In just two years, ODs have seen a 10 percent increase; primarily among men.

 

Suicides were another strong contributor to the overall life expectancy rate. Since just 2017, there was nearly a four precent jump in people who take their own lives. And though men still account for more of these types of fatalities, women are showing an increase as well. As of today, suicides are the 10th leading cause of death in America.

 

CDC director Dr. Robert Redfield spoke to the media about these latest findings. He found the rates especially troubling, since a majority of these deaths were preventable (as opposed to cancer or other diseases).

 

“Life expectancy gives us a snapshot of the nation’s overall health and these sobering statistics are a wakeup call that we are losing too many Americans, too early and too often, to conditions that are preventable,” Dr. Redfield explained. “We must all work together to reverse this trend and help ensure that all Americans live longer and healthier.”

 

The site Vox.com took the research a step further, illustrating what a big role addiction plays in this scenario. They singled out the states that had the lowest life expectancy rates, all of which have been flagged as being riddled with opioid dependencies.

 

As illustrated in the map below, West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania were the major culprits. On a somewhat positive note, it appears as though our home state of California is one of the lesser impacted regions.

Regardless, we find these latest statistics particularly troubling. One of our missions at Inneractions is improve health, both mental and physical. In our opinion, working with trained professionals to deal with addictions and emotional hurdles is truly the key to turning these life expectancy figures around. We encourage anyone who is struggling to please reach out and to avoid becoming another tragic statistic.

 

New Show Brings Attention To Mental Health & Suicide

The fall TV season has officially begun and with it are a slew of new shows, ranging from silly sitcoms to action packed reboots. But in between all of that is a an ABC series that is tackling a very important topic. The new drama A Million Little Things directly touches upon suicide and mental health. It is also going beyond the script to help viewers come to terms with these issues.

The show itself profiles a very real scenario. In it, a man who has everything to live for is suffering from depression in silence. Though his family and close friends don’t realize it, successful businessman Jon Dixon (played by Office Space’s Ron Livingston) is battling demons that he can’t overcome and chooses to take his own life in the first episode. This literally sets the series in motion, as the surrounding characters learn to process and cope with Jon’s abrupt decision.

One of the things we like most about Little Things is the honesty it conveys. Not only in the scenario of Jon Dixon, but also with his inner circle. There are characters in recovery, divorced couples and the honest topic of grief is brought out into the open on a regular basis.

Now as we mentioned above, there are other elements that go outside of the show. One of the big ones involved an important Public Service Announcement that was aired after the pilot episode. In it the cast spoke out about suicide prevention, along with some special guests. You can watch it in its entirety below…

As you may notice, there are some famous faces in that clip as well. Linkin Park rapper Mike Shinoda and the wife of the late Chester Bennington also appear in the PSA. They, of course, have been directly impacted by suicide and want others to get help before it’s too late.

“The passing of my husband cannot be in vain,” Benningston’s wife Talinda says in the clip. “His passing was a catalyst for opening up dialogue with respect to emotional and mental health. Throughout his life, he saved countless lives with his music and philanthropy. And through his death, he continues to save lives by spotlighting the urgent need for a change in our mental health culture.”

The :30 spot is followed by a website address and 800 number for suicide prevention. We applaud Mike, Talinda and everyone involved in the making of the A Million Little Things. This is an extremely important topic and one that all too often gets buried on primetime TV.

It’s Never Too Early To Discuss Mental Health

We know that mental health can be an uncomfortable subject, especially when it comes to pre-teens and young people. But, as many states are beginning to realize, starting the conversation early can be extremely beneficial. Just this past month, in fact, New York and Virginia have required mental health education at the elementary school level.

The key here is early intervention and letting students know that they are not alone if they’re struggling. One of the reasons that state legislators have gotten involved is because of the growing number of suicides happening among Americans aged 15 to 24. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), there has been a 30 percent increase in young people who take their own life over the past 18 years.

Virginia Senator Creigh Deeds made this a personal mission for his state, following the suicide death of his 24-year-old son Austin in 2013. He believes (along with many other mental health advocates) that early intervention is the key to lowering this statistic.

“The system failed my son” Deeds explained on TheFix.com. “[Mental health] is an integral part of our overall health and should be an integral part of health education in schools. [We need to] tear down the stigma and provide some equality with those that struggle with mental health.”

New York legislators feel just as passionate about the issue. The research they put forth for their mandate showed that 90 percent of young people who commit suicide suffer from depression or some other diagnosable and treatable mental illness at the time of their death.

The two key words there are “diagnosable” and “treatable.” Both of those play into the idea of adding mental health education to the elementary classrooms. The simple math is; if you bring the conversations to the forefront, that will help you diagnose and treat young people who are suffering.

Interestingly enough, many students themselves are helping to advocate for these changes. Over in Virginia, it was the high schoolers of Albemarle County who helped present the proposal to get the initiative passed. Many testified that they, themselves, had seen fellow classmates suffer and die because of mental illness.

This is something we at inneractions firmly believe in as well. Truth be told, half of lifetime mental health issues develop before the age of 14. So we advise any parent or young person to open up the dialogue and not let these problems go untreated.

Celebrity Suicides Raise Depression Alarms

There is no denying that last week was devastating for fans of celebrity pop culture. Fashion icon Kate Spade and culinary icon Anthony Bourdain both took their own lives within a matter of days from each other. Not surprisingly, that has brought the topic of suicide back to the forefront…and rightfully so.   Though it’s not highly publicized, 123 people kill themselves every day in this country. When looked upon with a broader lens, that equates the 10th leading cause of death among Americans (and tragically, the second highest killer among teens). Obviously it’s a topic worth discussing. But why does it take celebrity tragedies to make us want to re-examine it?  

“Celebrity deaths like these really highlight the fact that suicide affects everyone, rich and poor, famous, not famous, young old,” said Dr. Cathrine Frank, Henry Ford Health System’s chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health Services. “It affects a wide range of people. It’s a major public health problem and it is really no different than cancer or other illnesses that we know affect a wide range of people.”

Even worse, high profile deaths like these often lead to copycats across the country. In Utah, for example, suicide prevention programs have seen a drastic jump in the number of calls to their hotlines following the news of Spade and Bourdain. And, according to stats from USA Today affiliate The Detroit Free Pressthese numbers are on the rise nationally too.

Their chart below (which uses data from the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control) illustrates a steady increase in U.S. suicides since 2006.

Screen Shot 2018-06-11 at 9.19.51 PM

Several prominent politicians have spoken out as well, following the high profile news. New York Senator Chuck Schumer made the press rounds late last week, calling for more federal funding for suicide prevention programs. Arthur Evans Jr., head of the American Psychological Association, also spoke to news outlets, saying that the public needs to be educated about the symptoms of depression and must work to reduce stigmas.

 “If we have lots of treatments and people don’t access them because they are ashamed or they don’t know how to get them, those treatments won’t matter,” Evans explained to The Detroit Free Press. “For family members, friends, those in people’s lives, it’s important that they recognize when a family member, friend or colleague is having problems and that they help them get connected to resources.”

Of course, our stance at inneractions, is exactly the same, as we have spent years helping people overcome depression and suicidal thoughts. Step one involves identifying the warning signs and making sure that you or a loved one isn’t overcome with feelings of hopelessness or despair. If there is any question whatsoever about this, please reach out and get in touch with someone who can help.