By Sara Piccola |
There is no evidence as to why Nevada has the second highest suicide and depression rates, the highest divorce rate, and is a state with the highest drug use in the U.S. The one thing we do know is we are all living here and are surrounded by these issues whether we are directly affected or not.
Statistics can be scary, sometimes unbelievable, but true. By 2020, depression is estimated to be the second largest health problem in the United States. Today, pre-schoolers are the fastest-growing market segment for prescribed antidepressants. Who ever thought that over a million children under the age of 10 would be clinically depressed? Depression is also linked to suicide. You might be surprised to learn that Nevada seniors, over the age of 60, have the highest suicide rates in the nation.
The worst part is, someone in your own home or who is close to you could be suffering without your knowledge, or even worse, you could be reading this right now and be suffering from depression yourself. People often feel ashamed to be suffering from depression or view it as a sign of weakness. This is not the case; depression can be the result of a small trauma, too much stress, or even learned beliefs or behaviors.
Depression has also been linked to wheat and related grain allergies, dairy and other food sensitivities, chemical sensitivities, environmental toxins, genetic predisposition, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and the list goes on.
The good news is depression is one of the most treatable illnesses. Over 80% of people who seek treatment get relief. Treatment for depression must include healing the relationship environment as well as the whole person. However, nothing is possible without personally accepting the illness and then actively seeking treatment. A good treatment counselor does not focus on using anti-depressants as the cure-all, yet instead uses a variety of healing modalities.
Depression is nothing to be ashamed of; there are numerous treatment options and support groups available, though, acknowledging the problem must be the first step on the path to healing. The best thing about acknowledging a potential problem is the hope for improving the quality of your life. Like anything we do in life, the choice has to be ours. We only have one life, choosing to live happily can only afford us a fulfilled journey.
References:
1. www.upliftprogram.com/depression_stats.html
2. www.pbs.org/wgbh/takeonestep/depression/pdf/dep_stats.pdf
For more information, contact Sierra Behavioral Solutions at (775) 348-5800.
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