This letter will be more dark and somber than usual.
This September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. I’m sharing some information about depression below in case you might know some people who are depressed and may need help. (Banner image: Illustration by JL Javier, from CNN Philippines.)
Depression causes feelings of sadness and aversion to activity.
The National Institute of Mental Health calls it a common but serious mood disorder that affects how you feel, think and handle daily activities. The symptoms must be present for at least two weeks for it to be diagnosed as depression.
Health Link BC says that, “People who are very depressed can feel so bad that they think about suicide. They may feel hopeless, helpless, and worthless.” Suicide is seen as a way to escape suffering that has become unbearable.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), each year approximately 800,000 people die from suicide. That’s about one death every 40 seconds and it’s predicted that the rate will increase in 2020 to one every 20 seconds. Most of the suicides “happen impulsively in moments of crisis with a breakdown in the ability to deal with life stresses, such as financial problems, relationship break-up or chronic pain and illness,” as well as those experiencing conflict, disaster, violence, abuse, or loss and a sense of isolation.
A shocking statistic — WHO reported that suicide rates have traditionally been highest amongst elderly males, the statistics are 55% in those aged between 15 to 44 years old and 45% are aged 45 years and over. The rates among young people though have been increasing to such an extent that they are now the group at highest risk in a third of all countries. The most common methods of suicide are the ingestion of pesticides, hanging and the use of a firearm.
In the Philippines, the Department of Health (DOH) issued a statement after the suicide of 41-year old Razorback drummer Brian Velasco in January this year, saying that, “3.3 million Filipinos suffer from depressive disorders, with suicide rates in 2.5 males and 1.7 females per 100,000.”
Some places and ways that can help alleviate depression
From The Depression Project.
On Facebook, there’s The Depression Project, founded by Australian brothers Danny Baker, a depression survivor, and Mathew, a professional counsellor. And a local one is the Anxiety and Depression Support Philippines (ADSP), a mental health support group run by volunteers where members can vent their feelings, meet new people and ask questions without judgment.
Jeanne Goulbourn set-up a foundation called Natasha Goulbourn Foundation which operates 24/7 Hopeline, a depression and suicide prevention hotline with numbers (02) 804-4673 and (0917) 558-4673. She established the foundation after her 27-year old daughter, Natasha, died in Hong Kong in May 2002 from over-medication after a bout of depression.
Kundalini Yoga can help too.
I have a student who attended classes in January 2017. She disclosed later on to being clinically depressed. She had always been prone to depression in her teens and was highly functional, though she tended to overwork and distract herself to deal with her condition. She started doing Kundalini Yoga regularly and found that it was a huge help in releasing negative blocks in her life and improving her mental health.
“I also began attracting life-changing opportunities as a result,” She shares, “[Of Kundalini Yoga’s many benefits] I noticed that I was able to sense or get messages from the Divine more clearly, as a result of being trained to silence the mind during Kundalini Yoga sessions.”
“I am a lot healthier and fit without much of an effort. A PSC-administered test showed that my maximum heart rate to be a very low 62 bpm. I couldn’t even achieve that as a resting heart rate as an athlete 16 years ago! I am less triggered by negative situations and people. It has been easier for me to maintain my balance regardless of any situation.”
In Kundalini Yoga, there are sets for depression and mental health that you can do for at least 40 days that’s 3 to 11 minutes long. Check them out:
* Kundalini Yoga for Acute Depression, which can help the worst depression in 11 minutes.
* Kundalini Yoga to Totally Recharge You is a pranayama meditation which can be done in 3-5 minutes.
* The Seven Wave Sat Nam meditation that clears the mind of painful thought patterns.
* Sat Kriya for a minimum of 3 minutes, highly recommended also for those experiencing anger, guilt, resentment and other emotions of the grieving process.
Closing this by wishing for you to take things a day at a time, and to live in a way that makes someone want to live for even just one more day.
In loving service,
Rosan
