Six Warning Signs to Help Avert a Mental Health Crisis

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Sept. 18, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Far too many Americans suffer in silence when facing a mental health crisis. According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control, suicide rates in the U.S. have been steadily increasing since 1999, with over 10 million Americans considering suicide in 2015, and nearly 1.5 million made an attempt on their own life.

In recognition of Suicide Prevention Month, the mental health care clinicians of Correct Care Solutions identified six signs of a mental health crisis that indicate that our loved ones may be dealing with a mental health crisis:

1. Seeming sad, depressed, anxious, or agitated most of the time;
2. Sleeping either all the time or not much at all;
3. Not caring about what they look like or what happens to them;
4. Pulling away from friends, family, and society;
5. Losing interest in hobbies, work, school, or other things they used to care about; and
6. Expressing feelings of excessive guilt or shame, failure, lack of purpose in life, or being trapped.

"Recognizing that someone is in crisis is the first step to preventing suicide," said Dr. Cassandra Newkirk, CCS's Chief Psychiatric Officer. "Too many people, particularly young people, suffer in silence. We all share an obligation to reduce the stigma of mental health issues and educate ourselves to better be responsive to and care for our family, friends and neighbors."  

According to the American Psychiatric Association, preventative efforts include reducing the stigma associated with mental illness – which can keep some from seeking help – and easing access to mental health care services that are safe and effective. Clinical intervention is one of the most successful ways to prevent someone from self-harm, so it is crucial to connect those at risk with mental health services at the earliest signs and ensure that they remain in contact.

These are just some warning signs that a loved one might be suffering from depression and may be more inclined to commit harm to him or herself. For immediate crises, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 to speak to a trained counselor in your area. You can also text 838255 for help right away. For more information on suicide prevention, visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness's website for more info: https://www.nami.org/Find-Support/Family-Members-and-Caregivers/Preventing-Suicide.

Correct Care Solutions holds patients at the center of everything we do, which is why we have rigorous standards of care, nurture innovation, and value compassionate service. CCS's 11,000 clinicians and professionals in 38 states across the U.S. and Australia focus on delivering high quality healthcare in a unique clinical setting. Every day, CCS provides medical and behavioral health services for nearly 250,000 patients located in state hospitals, forensic treatment and civil commitment centers, as well as local, state and federal correctional facilities. The company is consistently named by the Joint Commission as a Top Performer on Key Quality Measures. Learn more at www.correctcaresolutions.com.  

SOURCE Correct Care Solutions

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