ON THE DARKNESS RISING: thoughts & recommended resources
There are those of us who may, at some point, deal with the issue of important people in our lives being suicidally depressed...indeed, the experience of having to live alongside, try to provide aid and comfort to, and *love* someone like this is fucking *overwhelming*, and often utterly and repeatedly heartbreaking.
In turn, there are those of us who may be struggling (or have struggled) with serious depression and self-destructive/suicidal thoughts...those of us with heavy-duty life histories will probably get where I'm coming from here.
I've had serious reason to educate myself really fucking fast on the topic as of late...and, in an attempt to provide something of service to my LJ friends (and the community at large), I'm gonna lay on you some of the resources I've turned to, in an effort to understand "the terrain of the warzone"--so, here goes:
http://www.metanoia.org/suicide (go here first)
http://www.metanoia.org/suicide/whattodo.htm (if you know someone suicidal)
http://www.dbsalliance.org/info/suicide.html
(great stuff here, plus links to resources around the USA)
The links above are where I began my research...it's worth reading for people wrestling with the darkness inside, and also for the folks who know and love them. I ask all of you to check the sites above out *thoroughly*, as you never know when this info might come in handy (I'm sorry to say)...
On Depression:
http://www.med.nyu.edu/psych/screens/depres.html (a depression screening test)
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/depression.cfm (Info from the US Gov't)
http://www.wingsofmadness.com (a damn good site)
http://www.walkers.org (Walkers In Darkness, an online support group)
On psych meds:
http://www.crazymeds.org
I rather like the link above! Had to do some research for someone, and well...the name of the place amused me! Complements a direct online Googling of the medication(s) in question very nicely.
Three books I'd recommend are:
1. Kay Redfield Jamison's NIGHT FALLS FAST: Understanding Suicide
Powerful, passionate and articulate stuff from someone who is an reknowned authority on depressive mood disorders and is a suicide attempt survivor herself. This is considered to be the authoritative text on the topic by many folks...this book moved me profoundly.
2. Carla Fine's NO TIME TO SAY GOODBYE: Surviving The Suicide Of A Loved One
For folks who have lost someone, and are struggling with the loss and pain.
Eloquent and compassionate and knowing...honestly, I cried when I read this book. I hope none of us will ever need (for some of us, unfortunately--*need again*) the insights contained herein...but know that this book is in the world. Has an extensive list of resources for survivors in the back of the book.
3. Judith Herman's TRAUMA AND RECOVERY
The best thing I have ever read on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder...powerful, accessible, and deeply humane. Talks about PTSD being the natural consequence of having faced heavy-duty human evil--it bridges the realities of war vets, survivors of street crime, domestic violence and child abuse, POWs and survivors of political oppression and terrorism--I've read this book repeatedly, and *I highly recommend this book*.
Depression is a treatable illness, an unfairly stigmatized mood disorder, a brain chemistry thing akin to freakin' high blood pressure...and the truth is *nobody needs to die from it*. But, as per the statistics, every 17 minutes--someone in the USA dies by their own deeds and intentions. This is a true national health problem, an Epidemic...and it is fucking *UNACCEPTABLE*.
In this regard, folks--knowledge is our sword, shield and place of refuge.
From the heart, I wish all of you and yours strength, endurance, harmony and love...and life.
In the warzones of the heart and mind--may we all know Victory.
Till again,
L.
In turn, there are those of us who may be struggling (or have struggled) with serious depression and self-destructive/suicidal thoughts...those of us with heavy-duty life histories will probably get where I'm coming from here.
I've had serious reason to educate myself really fucking fast on the topic as of late...and, in an attempt to provide something of service to my LJ friends (and the community at large), I'm gonna lay on you some of the resources I've turned to, in an effort to understand "the terrain of the warzone"--so, here goes:
http://www.metanoia.org/suicide (go here first)
http://www.metanoia.org/suicide/whattodo.htm (if you know someone suicidal)
http://www.dbsalliance.org/info/suicide.html
(great stuff here, plus links to resources around the USA)
The links above are where I began my research...it's worth reading for people wrestling with the darkness inside, and also for the folks who know and love them. I ask all of you to check the sites above out *thoroughly*, as you never know when this info might come in handy (I'm sorry to say)...
On Depression:
http://www.med.nyu.edu/psych/screens/depres.html (a depression screening test)
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/depression.cfm (Info from the US Gov't)
http://www.wingsofmadness.com (a damn good site)
http://www.walkers.org (Walkers In Darkness, an online support group)
On psych meds:
http://www.crazymeds.org
I rather like the link above! Had to do some research for someone, and well...the name of the place amused me! Complements a direct online Googling of the medication(s) in question very nicely.
Three books I'd recommend are:
1. Kay Redfield Jamison's NIGHT FALLS FAST: Understanding Suicide
Powerful, passionate and articulate stuff from someone who is an reknowned authority on depressive mood disorders and is a suicide attempt survivor herself. This is considered to be the authoritative text on the topic by many folks...this book moved me profoundly.
2. Carla Fine's NO TIME TO SAY GOODBYE: Surviving The Suicide Of A Loved One
For folks who have lost someone, and are struggling with the loss and pain.
Eloquent and compassionate and knowing...honestly, I cried when I read this book. I hope none of us will ever need (for some of us, unfortunately--*need again*) the insights contained herein...but know that this book is in the world. Has an extensive list of resources for survivors in the back of the book.
3. Judith Herman's TRAUMA AND RECOVERY
The best thing I have ever read on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder...powerful, accessible, and deeply humane. Talks about PTSD being the natural consequence of having faced heavy-duty human evil--it bridges the realities of war vets, survivors of street crime, domestic violence and child abuse, POWs and survivors of political oppression and terrorism--I've read this book repeatedly, and *I highly recommend this book*.
Depression is a treatable illness, an unfairly stigmatized mood disorder, a brain chemistry thing akin to freakin' high blood pressure...and the truth is *nobody needs to die from it*. But, as per the statistics, every 17 minutes--someone in the USA dies by their own deeds and intentions. This is a true national health problem, an Epidemic...and it is fucking *UNACCEPTABLE*.
In this regard, folks--knowledge is our sword, shield and place of refuge.
From the heart, I wish all of you and yours strength, endurance, harmony and love...and life.
In the warzones of the heart and mind--may we all know Victory.
Till again,
L.