When we think of seasonal affective disorder we often associate it with winter, but it can also happen in the summer. For some, summer SAD happens every year at any point of the summer months. For others, like myself, it’s directly related to extreme temperatures. The sun may be out and it looks great outside, but if it’s too hot to do anything, it will only make my mood worse. I also tend to isolate in the comfort of my air conditioning, not wanting to go outside, which drives my depression and anxiety levels. Maybe you are still going outdoors and feeling depressed. Did you know that even mild dehydration can increase depression? If any of that sounds familiar to you, maybe these 10 Summer Depression Busters is just what you need too!  

Change is a terrifying thing for everyone, especially those of us with mood disorders. Tonight is our first time meeting in our new location, and it came with a slew of changes. My fear of making all these changes led me to look for some ways to cope. I found this article for 7 tips on How To Deal With Change.

If you struggled to make it to group, maybe some of these tips can help you make it next week! 

Nearly one-fourth of all teens will experience depression before adulthood. However, only about 30 percent of those are receiving the help they need. This is especially alarming, since suicide is closely related to depression and is the third-leading cause of death in individuals from ages 15 to 24. In fact, every 100 minutes, a teenager will take his or her life.

Read the full article from The Treatment Center here.

For more information on The Treatment Center, please visit their website.

I found this article today that totally hit home for me. I know it seems a bit off topic for a depression and bipolar support group, but I think many of us struggle with cleaning up clutter without it being emotionally draining. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. 

HOW TO CLEAN YOUR HOUSE WHEN YOU FEEL PARALYZED BY “THE MESS”

Article By Julie A. Fast

Sometimes, people commit suicide and we are able to make some sense of why it happened. It’s scary and upsets our world, but on a basic level we think we understand. Robin William’s suicide comes to mind. He had a history of depression and his health was failing. We all wish he could have found more help, but I don’t think it was surprising as much as it was devastating and sad for the millions who loved him.

Then there are suicides that make no sense. The idea doesn’t fit with how we see the individual’s personal life or with how they describe their life in public. The partner or other loved ones are shocked and usually vehemently deny that the person was acting suicidal. Society likes to look for something deeper when they hear that the person wasn’t outwardly suicidal, such as a possible secret life.

I have a different opinion based on personal experience that I would like to share.

Click here to read the full article.

If you are a fan and his death is hitting you hard, now is a good time to take care of YOURSELF. He is at peace now. I believe this. We are the living and we are here to keep going.  I am sad, but I’m not depressed. There is a difference. 

If you need help, a crisis line is a good start. 

People with bipolar disorder have an illness that gets triggered.  We are strong. Get help if you need it. 

I am going to celebrate the joy he brought to my life. This is the best way I can remember him. 

If you have comments on this article, please share them on the Psychology Today website or on my Julie A. Fast Facebook page. You can find the post there where others have commented. I am also active on my Julie A. Fast Twitter page. 

Thank you very much for the kind emails. Please know that due to the number I receive, I am not able to answer personally. If you are looking for coaching as a partner or partner, you can click here. If you want to talk with me about mental health, the best place to interactant is on Facebook. I often do live Q&A sessions. 

Check out Mental Health America‘s website for more information

With suicide rates on the rise (9.6% in Missouri and 12% in Kansas since 2013), there is a movement happening locally and nationally to prevent suicide. Zero Suicide is using many tools including smartphone apps like MY3 and mystrength. The goal of the crusade is not to lower but eliminate suicide.

“You wouldn’t want an airline to say they hope to prevent crashes but they can’t prevent them all. With suicide, the goal should be zero.” Scott Perkins, NAMI, Missouri chapter.

7 April 2017 – WHO is leading a one-year global campaign on depression. The highlight is World Health Day 2017, celebrated today. The goal of the campaign is that more people with depression, everywhere in the world, both seek and get help. Depression is the leading cause of ill health and disability worldwide. More than 300 million people are now living with depression, an increase of more than 18% between 2005 and 2015. Read more on the World Health Organization’s website here.

A team of scientists at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, California has trained a computer to be able to predict those with bipolar who will (or will not) be responsive to lithium treatments. Lithium is considered a miracle treatment for bipolar; but, unfortunately, only 30 percent of people taking it reap those benefits. Using a few cells and a powerful computer, the team has developed a method that is accurate 92 percent of the time. Breakthroughs like this are crucial to finding a better way to find the right medicine. Read the full article here. Learn more about the Salk Institute.