BOZEMAN, Mont. – A Montana psychologist wants folks to get a new perspective on an issue that is plaguing the state – suicide.
Montana has ranked in the top five for suicide rates nationwide for three decades, according to the state Department of Public Health and Human Services.
The issue is growing across the nation. Rates increased 60 percent from 1999 to 2017.
John Sommers-Flanagan, a professor of counselor education at the University of Montana, says misconceptions about suicide persist.
He says one of the biggest issues is that it's associated with mental illness, but current science doesn't support this assumption.
"Suicide ideation or the thoughts about suicide are really a normal human experience,” he explains. “It's a normal thing that people experience and feel when they are also in excruciating distress."
Sommers-Flanagan is hosting workshops for counselors and lectures across Montana this summer, starting with a lecture at Montana State University on May 16.
The events are sponsored by Big Sky Youth Empowerment, a Bozeman-based group that works with at-risk teenagers.
Addressing another misconception, Sommers-Flanagan says people can't always rely on the typical warning signs for suicide risk.
"Truth is that the research just doesn't bear that out,” he states. “Every set of risk factors and warning signs ever produced has not been very effective proactively in identifying people who are at risk for, or likely to die by, suicide."
However, Sommers-Flanagan says a lack of concrete warning signs could lead counselors to be less authoritarian in their treatment, leading to a new way of interacting with people. He says a new model helps people feel more empowered.
"The new trend is to do collaborative suicide assessment and collaborative treatment planning so that the patient or the client feels heard and feels involved and engaged in the counseling or psychotherapy or treatment," he points out.
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An Atlanta-based group is making sure more people have access to an unconventional but effective treatment for their moderate mental health challenges: art.
It is estimated 1.8 million adults in Georgia live with some form of mental illness. The group Art Pharmacy partners with health care providers and community organizations to integrate creative activities into treatment plans.
Chris Appleton, founder and CEO of Art Pharmacy, said the approach, known as "social prescribing," connects people to arts and cultural experiences as a way to combat the mental health crisis and loneliness epidemic in the U.S.
"People get prescriptions to go to dance classes," Appleton outlined. "People get prescriptions to go on a guided tour at a museum. People get prescriptions to go to a ceramics workshop, or maybe a visit to your local botanical gardens."
In Georgia, Art Pharmacy partners with school-based behavioral health clinics to support young people struggling with anxiety and depression. It is also working with Medicaid health plans to assist at-risk youth with serious emotional disturbances, and helping older adults at risk of social isolation.
Appleton stressed Art Pharmacy is not meant to replace psychotherapy, especially for those who need psychiatric care, but it is another option for those with mild to moderate concerns. He added through care navigators, people are connected to creative activities that keep them engaged in treatment, offering a different path to improving their mental well-being while reducing stigma.
"There's an acknowledgment that new forms of care are required to make progress on these struggles," Appleton asserted. "I think a second piece is that while stigma around mental health has improved in the U.S. over the past several years -- especially among younger generations -- many people still struggle to raise their hand and say, 'I need help.'"
He added Art Pharmacy keeps track of progress using mental health and well-being assessments. While there are challenges in making social prescribing a standard part of health care, he believes it is only a matter of time before the approach becomes a go-to option alongside traditional treatments.
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As winter drags on with a recent rare burst of snow across North Florida, many Floridians struggle with seasonal affective disorder.
It is a form of depression triggered by shorter days and less sunlight. Mental health professionals across the state are offering practical strategies to help people cope, emphasizing the importance of light exposure, social engagement and seeking professional support.
Judy Charuhas, clinical director of outpatient services for Impower, a Florida-based telehealth provider, said simple acts of kindness can boost a person's mood and emotional well-being.
"Melatonin helps us feel better. Serotonin, endorphins -- when your endorphins get going -- you feel better," Charuhas outlined. "One thing people can do with depression that helps more than anything else is do something for someone else."
A recent study showed 40% of Americans say their mood drops in the winter, 41% are sleeping more, 28% feel fatigued and 27% report experiencing depression.
Lourdes Araujo, president of the Florida Counseling Association, recommended a light therapy box, which mimics sunlight exposure, for those experiencing symptoms.
"If the sunlight goes away, you can extend that time by using this sunlight exposure approach," Araujo explained. "It's really proven to be helpful with depressive symptoms."
She also encouraged cognitive behavioral therapy techniques to challenge negative thoughts and set realistic goals.
Dr. Rhonda Randall, chief medical officer and executive vice president of UnitedHealthcare Employer and Individual, stressed the importance of maintaining social connections and leveraging available mental health resources.
"People who have strong social connections actually live longer," Randall pointed out. "When we think about longevity and quality of life, those strong ties to friends and family are very good to our health."
Randall added many insurance plans offer mental health benefits such as virtual therapy, coaching and digital self-help tools, which can be convenient options for those who struggle during the winter months.
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Some 125,000 children in Michigan struggle with major depression, which can hinder learning, behavior and relationships, according to a recent survey. Research shows the benefits of school-based services to connect them with the care they need.
Together with parents, school mental health resources can help keep kids safe.
Scott Hutchins, who manages the behavioral health unit for the Michigan Department of Education, stresses the importance of these services, especially in light of the pandemic and school shootings.
"Those needs have only been exacerbated since COVID and those other violent tragedies," he said. "So, what mental-health services do is, they allow us to break down the barriers that students need to get the care that they need."
However, the state needs more of these professionals. Michigan has one school psychologist per almost 2,200 students. The recommended ratio is one for every 500 students. The state also requires school districts to include suicide-prevention hotline contact information on IDs for students in grades 7 through 12.
Statistics show youths receiving school-based mental-health services are six times more likely to complete treatment than those receiving community-based services.
Angela Kimball, chief advocacy officer for the nonprofit mental health advocacy group Inseparable, noted that funding is one key challenge in expanding the school mental-health workforce.
"In order to become a licensed professional," she said, "you not only have to pay for schooling, but there's also periods of supervision - where people are essentially working for free and having to pay for supervision as they work towards their credentials."
Kimball said groups like hers are pushing for policies to improve staff ratios and encourage people to consider mental-health careers. In the meantime, if you or someone you know is in crisis, call 988 to be connected with a trained counselor, available 24/7.
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