Pitt Partners for Health continues its weekly columns to observe May is Mental Health Awareness Month. This week, we will focus on depression and suicide.
Here are some chilling facts:
- 7 million people or 7.2% of the population experience major depression
- Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States
- Suicide is the second leading cause of death in the United States for persons ages 10 to 34.
- 2 million people experience a co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorder
Depression
Depression is a common mental health disorder seen in children, adolescents, and adults. Symptoms can include:
- Sadness, feeling empty, and feeling anxious
- Feeling hopeless
- Feeling helpless
- Feeling worthless
- Feeling guilty
- Irritability, feeling cranky or moody
- Excessive worrying
- Change in appetite – you may gain weight or lose weight
- Change in sleep – trouble falling asleep, waking in middle of the night or sleeping too much
- Trouble concentrating and making decisions
- Decrease or increase in normal pleasurable activities
- Decreased energy
- Isolation
- Poor work or school performance
- Thoughts of suicide
- Physical symptoms such as headaches, upset stomach, digestive issues, and others
Depression is not just feeling blue for a couple ....read more