Hopeless and Helpless: Stopping the Cycle

DECEMBER 25, 2015

Hopeless and Helpless: Stopping the Cycle

by Roberta Tovey, Director of Communications, MoodNetwork

Among the most common symptoms of depression are hopelessness–feeling that things cannot get better, and that life has no meaning or purpose–and helplessness–feeling that there’s nothing one can do to change the situation.  Feeling hopeless and helpless is a dangerous combination that can lead to despair and suicidal ideation.

To make matters worse, many who struggle with depression face concrete barriers to getting better, such as isolation or lack of information about depression or bipolar disorder. Many also may have limited access to care, either because they don’t have insurance for mental illness and can’t afford to pay out of pocket, or simply because good care is not available nearby. These barriers can increase the risk of suicide.

While online support groups and forums can help make people with depression feel less alone, they do not offer a framework for positive action.

MoodNetwork.org, a collaborative research network for people with depression and bipolar disorder (mood disorders), is designed to provide not just support and community, but also reliable information about mood disorders. Even more important, by actively engaging participants as equal partners in the search for better, more effective treatments, MoodNetwork offers those with mood disorders a way to get out of the dangerous loop of hopelessness and helplessness.

Participants in MoodNetwork work alongside clinicians and researchers to learn more about mood disorders and to figure out new ways to treat these conditions, including both traditional and alternative therapies. In surveys, blogs, and forums, participants describe their symptoms and discuss what has worked and what hasn’t worked for them. Participants can ask and get answers to the questions that are important to them, and even help determine the direction of new research.  If they wish, participants also have the option to join new studies on treatments for mood disorders.

Access to reliable information and resources, combined with an active, meaningful role in working towards treatments for these conditions, can help break the dangerous cycle of hopelessness and helplessness that affect so many who struggle with mood disorders.

For More Information Visit: http://moodnetwork.org
 

 

Note that the CDC records Hispanic origin separately from the primary racial or ethnic groups of White, Black, American Indian or Alaskan Native, and Asian or Pacific Islander, since individuals in all of these groups may also be Hispanic.

Suicide Rates by Race/Ethnicity

In 2015, the highest U.S. suicide rate (20) was among American Indians and Alaska Natives and the second highest rate (17) was among Whites (Figure 5). Much lower and roughly similar rates were found among Hispanics (5.8), Asians and Pacific Islanders (6.4), and Blacks (5.6).





Mental illness affects one in five adults and one in 10 children in America, according to the (SAMHSA). Furthermore, mental illness is a leading cause of disability, yet nearly two-thirds of people with a diagnosable mental illness do not seek treatment, and racial and ethnic groups in the U.S. are even less likely to get help, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

During National Minority Mental Health Month, help raise awareness in your organization or community. Encourage your family, friends, loved ones and clients to learn more about improving mental health and illness.

CENTERS FOR DIEASE CONTROL (CDC)

Suicide Facts at a Glance 2015

Racial and Ethnic Disparities

• Suicide is the eighth leading cause of death among American Indians/Alaska Natives across  all ages

• Among American Indians/Alaska Natives aged 10 to 34 years, suicide is the second leading cause of death.

• The suicide rate among American Indian/Alaska Native adolescents and young adults ages 15 to 34 (19.5 per 100,000) is 1.5 times higher than the national average for that age group (12.9 per 100,000)

• The percentages of adults aged 18 or older having suicidal thoughts in the previous 12 months were 2.9% among blacks, 3.3% among Asians, 3.6% among Hispanics, 4.1% among whites, 4.6% among Native Hawaiians /Other Pacific Islanders, 4.8% among American Indians/Alaska Natives, and 7.9% among adults reporting two or more races.

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