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Understanding Depression, the Leading Cause
of Suicide
-Carolyn V. Coarsey, Ph.D.
“Untreated depression is the number one risk factor in suicide and
that depression is at once a common, yet highly treatable,
neurophysiological illness."
Founder & CEO, QPR Institute
A common theme that frequently comes up in the Foundation's QPR
Gatekeeper Training pertains to knowing the difference between normal
lows that go along with everyday life and the more severe signs of
depression. As one person asked, “How do I know the difference between
feeling bad over something that has happened to me, and when I may
need help for clinical depression?
A study released in 2018 by the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) shows that death by suicide is not only increasing,
more than half of those who died by suicide between 1999-2016, did not
have a known diagnosed mental health condition. The key is known, as
it is the undiagnosed depression that prompts the need for greater
education and awareness on the part of peers, co-workers, friends and
family members. Thus, this article will attempt to add greater awareness
of symptoms of depression for our readers and Gatekeepers.
"The person most likely to prevent your suicide is someone you
already know."
-Paul Quinnett, Ph.D.,
Founder & CEO, QPR Institute
When well-known celebrities die by suicide, public statements made by
their family and friends provide insight into the suffering of the
deceased as they attempt to offer explanations as to what they believe
may have been the cause of the suicide. For example, after the
well-known designer, Kate Spade was found dead, an apparent victim
of suicide, numerous articles featured statements by her family
members about her emotional state, before her death.
In one article published by ABC News, Andy Spade, Kate’s husband,
stated that although he knew that his partner of more than twenty
years suffered from depression and anxiety, she’d been seeing a doctor
regularly and was taking medication to combat the conditions. He
referred to her suicide as ‘a complete shock'.
Kate’s sister conversely stated in an interview in a different newspaper,
that the suicide was ‘not unexpected'. And then in other interviews, her
older brother indicated that he knew of his sister’s depression and
marital separation and felt the two were linked, and no doubt related
to her death.
No one but Kate knows what precipitated the final act, but for many
families, her death and the confusion over what the family observed and
knew about her private life can become a teachable moment. What is
clear is that her family members knew Kate was suffering—but the
degree of her pain was unknown to all but her. Returning to the original
question put forth by an employee who attended one of our classes, it
behooves every lay person to take advantage of the multitude of
references and information that was provided in the aftermath of her
death.
Some of the highlights of the information that was made available in the
many articles about Kate’s death was a review of symptoms that a
counselor or health professional uses in diagnosing major depressive
disorder. Real depression is not just a painful bout with the blues, nor
is it a weakness that one can “simply” will away. Depression requires
treatment and more than ever; research is showing a high success rate in
various procedures which may or may not involve medication.
It is also important to note that suicide is very rare among those with
chronic depression, according to Nancy Stone, who led the study cited
above, released by the CDC earlier this year. The point is that anyone
suffering from depression needs treatment and family and friends are
most often who will help someone find the right assistance.
Following are symptoms generally associated with clinical or major
depression:
-Angry outbursts, irritability or frustration, even small matters
-Loss of interest or pleasure in almost all normal activities, such as
sex, hobbies, or sports
-Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or sleeping too much
-Tiredness and lack of energy, so even small tasks take extra effort
-Reduced appetite and weight loss or increased cravings for food
-Weight gain
-Anxiety, agitation, restlessness
-Slowed thinking, speaking or body movements
-Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, fixating on past failures or self-blame
-Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions and remembering things
-Frequent or recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts
-Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches
(Future articles will feature additional symptoms for depression in children
and older persons.)
"Effective QPR hinges on the fact that people in distress typically
communicate their despair and hopelessness, either in word or
behavior before making a suicide attempt."
-Paul Quinnett, Ph.D.,
Founder & CEO, QPR Institute
As a Gatekeeper, we are trained to notice behavior and listen for words
that may mean someone is at risk. If we see the symptoms listed above
that seem to linger in ourselves or others, we must act. Calling one's
doctor, a mental health professional, a minister, spiritual leader or
someone else in your faith community, or a good friend or other
trusted resource can bring relief and be the first step to saving a life.
If you are interested in learning more about how to become a Gatekeeper
and becoming part of a more extensive network that is dedicated to
suicide prevention, see www.qprinstitute.com. To learn more about the
training classes offered by the Family Assistance Foundation, fafonline.org
and for information about upcoming Gatekeeper classes and how you can
become a trainer within your workplace. You can also contact Stephen
Young at stephen.young@aviem.com.
Upcoming Gatekeeper Trainings
Atlanta Gatekeeper Training
Courtyard Atlanta Airport North, September 27, 2018
Atlanta Train-the-Trainer
Courtyard Atlanta Airport North, September 27, 2018
__________________________________________________________
QPR stands for Question, Persuade and Refer and is a research-based
intervention that anyone can learn. The Foundation works with the QPR
Institute to customize this successful intervention for cruise lines,
aviation, human resources professionals and other workplace groups.
Please contact stephen.young@aviem.com at the Foundation if you would
like to know more about how you can learn to be a QPR Gatekeeper in your
organization. You can also learn how you can become a certified trainer
of the QPR Gatekeeper model. Contact the Foundation to discuss your
interests.
© 2018 QPR Institute Inc./Family Assistance Education & Research Foundation
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