Mental health problems affect up to 20% of the U.S. adult population.
One of the most common problems is Depression, a mood disorder that causes very negative thoughts and feelings and can interfere with your ability to function in important areas of your life.
Symptoms of Depression include depressed mood (sad and hopeless feelings), lack of interest or pleasure in activities, lack of appetite or increased appetite with weight change, insomnia or sleeping too much, feeling tired, problems concentrating, feeling guilty or worthless, and thoughts of death or suicide. Although Depression is a very serious illness, it does get better with treatment. An important first step is seeking professional counseling.
Untreated depression can lead to suicide. Warning signs that someone may be suicidal are talking about wanting to die or to kill oneself, talking about feeling hopeless or feeling like a burden to others, looking for ways to kill oneself, reporting experiencing unbearable pain, increased use of alcohol/drugs, acting very anxious or agitated, problems sleeping, rage or mood swings, withdrawing from family/friends. (Risk is greater if someone has a history of suicide attempts or has recently experienced a painful event or sudden change in life.)
If you are with someone who is suicidal, believe them and support them in getting help; make sure no weapons are available; don’t leave them alone; and take them to an ER or local mental health crisis center. Call 911 if there is an immediate threat of harm.
CRISIS RESOURCES
On Campus
- Clark State College's Counseling Center located in Rhodes Hall, Room 224. Available Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. You may walk-in or call 937-328-7961 for an appointment. Appointments can be made at any campus by calling the Counseling Center. Services are confidential and free. If you are concerned that another student may be suicidal, please call the Clark State Counseling Center at 937-328-7961. If the counselor is unavailable, please call the Behavior Intervention Team at 937-328-6056.
Free Apps for Suicide Prevention(available on iTunes)
- A Friend Asks by The Jason Foundation (warning signs and how to intervene to help a friend or yourself)
- RUOK: OSU by Ohio State University (displays crisis numbers for your location)
- Suicide Safety Plan (individualized plan to help you get through a crisis)
24-Hour Crisis Hotlines
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988, or chat online at 988lifeline.org
- Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988 and press option #1 or text 838255
- The Trevor Project for LGBTQ youth: Call 1-866-488-7386, text start to 678-678, or chat online at thetrevorproject.org
- Crisis Text Line: Text 4Hope to 741-741 to connect with a volunteer Crisis Counselor
- National Sexual Assault Hotline, Confidential 24/7 Support: Call 1-800-653-4673 or chat, online.rainn.org
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: Call 1-800-799-7233, text START to 88788, or chat online, thehotline.org
For a comprehensive list of treatment centers in any county, visit findtreatment.samhsa.gov or call 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
To learn more about specific mental health problems, available resources and ways to help others, visit halfofus.com or ulifeline.org.
