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Crisis Issues Three Killers
Crisis Issues Three Killers
Thursday, 03 June 2010 20:20 | Author: Flame Think, Inc. | 
Last week I wrote an article entitled ‘Suicide: Crisis in Our Midst.’ Because this topic is critical it is my intent to remain focused on it. Nation wide suicide usually ranks eighth in cause of death among teens and young adults; however, it has steadily climbed in the D/FW region where in 2009 it was the third leading cause. This year (2010) suicides are spiking and it is currently the NUMBER ONE cause of death among our teens and young adults in the D/FW areas.
(Hopelessness image as found at www.progressivestand.com)
Traditionally there are three killers which combine to push people at risk to extreme measures to resolve their problems. These three killers are identified as helplessness, hopelessness and uselessness. Let’s define them.
1. Helplessness – defined as a feeling of being unable to manage or to function in any capacity and is often accompanied with sad feelings of gloom and inadequacy. These feelings are closely associated with depression.
2. Hopelessness – defined as a feeling that conditions will never improve, that there is no solution to a problem, and, for many, a feeling that dying by suicide would be better than living. There are numerous “hopelessness statements” we (care givers) should listen for. These statements include but are not limited to:
• I feel so hopeless.
• Things are hopeless.
• There is no hope for me.
• Things will never get better.
• There is no point in trying anymore.
• I just want to give up.
• It's too late for me.
• There is nothing that I can do to make things better.
• I don't see things ever improving.
• I will never be happy again.
• Everything is going downhill.
• There are no solutions to my problems.
• I will never get over what happened.
• What do I have to look forward to?
• I only see things getting worse in the future.
• I will never get back to the way I was.
3. Uselessness – is an emotional paralysis brought on by inaccurate perception of circumstances causing individuals to believe they no longer have value or desired skills. Many “at risk” individuals equate (hand-in-hand) uselessness with feelings of worthlessness.
Any of these killers can push an individual toward depression; however, when all three are involved chances are increased the “person at risk” may attempt drastic means to resolve his/her crisis.
We will look at these issues in closer detail over the next month. In order to shed light on some topics I have elected to utilize the experience of a dear friend of mine, namely Dr. Philip Byler of Epworth, GA. Look for his articles on the topics of depression and hopelessness.
