HelpGuide September Newsletter

[View in browser]( Dear Friend of HelpGuide,  September is suicide prevention awareness month. In 1996, Morgan Leslie Segal died by suicide at the age of 29. Described as “a rare and beautiful soul,” “a rising talented writer,” and “a young woman with great intelligence and sensitivity,” Morgan nevertheless grappled with a condition that started as low self-esteem and worsened into major depression. Six years of therapy and a variety of drug prescriptions did not help her. Following Morgan’s death, her parents Robert and Jeanne Segal began sharing their grief and discovered that all too many others had experienced similar struggles. “The pain was so evident,” said Robert, “the subject so frightening, hidden, and loaded with stigma, that they don’t know where to turn.” They concluded that the best way to honor the memory of their daughter was by helping people in similar trouble by guiding them toward appropriate information and care. And so HelpGuide was born. If you’ve ever had thoughts of suicide, know that you’re far from being alone. In just the United States, one person dies by suicide every 11 minutes. And for each person who successfully ends their own life, three more are hospitalized for self-harm, and another 38 make a suicide attempt. Feeling suicidal is not a character defect, and it doesn’t mean that you are crazy, or weak, or flawed. It only means that you have more pain than you can cope with right now. But with time and support, you can overcome your problems and the pain and suicidal feelings will pass. If you or someone you love is struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts, please reach out to one of the suicide crisis helplines listed below.   Yours in health,  Melinda Smith Executive Director, HelpGuide ­ Some of our latest content Suicide Prevention: How to Save a Life Suicide prevention starts with recognizing the warning signs and taking them seriously. If you think a friend or family member is suicidal, there’s plenty you can do to help save a life. ­ [Read more]( ­ Choosing Drug Rehab and Addiction Treatment If you feel trapped by substance addiction, finding the right treatment is crucial. By understanding the different options available, you can find the drug rehabilitation program that best fits your needs. ­ [Read more]( ­ How to Stop Worrying and End Anxious Thoughts Are you plagued by constant worries, fears, and anxious thoughts, especially about things you can’t control? These tips can help calm your worried mind, ease anxiety, and end negative thinking. ­ [Read more]( ­ Your mental health matters. Take care of yourself in therapy Get professional help from BetterHelp's network of 30,000 licensed therapists. Get matched and schedule your first session in as little as 48 hours. As a HelpGuide reader, sign up through the link below and your first month is 20% off. ­ [GET MATCHED NOW]( ­ As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided. [Learn more>>]( Mental health news from around the web More sleep could reduce impulsive behavior in children (University of Georgia) Sleep is a critical part of a child’s overall health, but it can also be an important factor in the way they behave. According to a new study, getting enough sleep can help children combat the effects of stressful environments. Researchers found that lack of sleep and long sleep latency—the amount of time it takes to get to sleep—had a significant link to impulsive behaviors down the line. [READ MORE →]( No worries: Online course helps you stop ruminating (University of New South Wales) An online course designed to curb negative thinking has had strong results in helping people reduce the time they spend ruminating and worrying, a new study has shown. Researchers say the online course, which will soon be hosted on an Australian government-funded online clinic, was found to significantly improve the mental health of the people who participated in the study. [READ MORE →]( Social media use interventions alleviate symptoms of depression University College London) Receiving therapy for problematic social media use can be effective in improving the mental wellbeing of people with depression, finds a new study. Problematic use is when a person’s pre-occupation with social media results in a distraction from their primary tasks and the neglect of responsibilities in other aspects of their life. [READ MORE →]( Suicides in the U.S. reached all-time high in 2022, CDC data shows (NBC News) About 49,500 people took their own lives last year in the U.S., the highest number ever, according to new government data. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which posted the numbers, has not yet calculated a suicide rate for the year, but available data suggests suicides are more common in the U.S. than at any time since the dawn of World War II. [READ MORE →](  How sleep deprivation can harm the brain (Science Daily) Not only does a lack of sleep make you feel awful, research has shown it impairs the brain. What's more, sleep loss over long periods can even increase risk for Alzheimer's and other neurological diseases. In a new study, a team working with mice has identified a protective protein whose level declines with sleep deprivation, leading to neuronal death. [READ MORE →]( ­ Suicide crisis helplines In the U.S.: Call the [988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline]( at 988. In the UK and Ireland: Call [Samaritans UK]( at 116 123. In Australia: Call [Lifeline Australia]( at 13 11 14. In Canada: Call [Crisis Services Canada]( at 1-833-456-4566. In other countries: Find a helpline near you at [IASP]( or [International Suicide Hotlines](. Follow Us: ­ ­ ­ ­ JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER Mental health and wellness tips, our latest articles, resources and more. ­ [Subscribe]( ­ ­ HelpGuide.org International, 515 S. Flower St. Suite 1800, Los Angeles, CA, 90071 This email was sent to {EMAIL} You've received it because you've subscribed to our newsletter. If you would no longer like to receive these, please update your email preferences by visiting the link below. [Unsubscribe](  [Privacy Policy](     |      [Terms of Use](