Suicide Behavior in America

A National study was done on suicidal thoughts and behaviors in the United States of America. It found that 8.3 million adults(1) had serious thoughts of suicide in the past year. Of 8.3 million only 2.3 million of these adults had made a suicide plan and only 1.1 million of these adults actually attempted suicide.

This study also found this risk of thoughts and attempts is significantly different among age groups. Young adults(2) were far more likely to have considered suicide in the past year than those ages 26-49. These young adults were nearly three times more likely than those people 50 or older.

Another factor comes into play when considering risk of suicide and adults is substance disorders. People experiencing substance disorders were more than three times(3) more likely to have seriously considered suicide than those non-users. These people were also a shocking 7 times more likely to have attempted suicide.


1. Adults are 18 and older and residents of the United States. 8.3 million or 3.7 percent.
2. Young adults- 18-26. This age comparison is a ratio of 6.7% to 3.9%. 50 or older: 2.3%
3. Three times: 11% to 3%. Seven times: 2% to .3%.


"National Study Reveals Statistics on Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors SAMHSA NEWS." Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Website. Version 17. SAMHSA , 1 Nov. 2009. Web. 10 Dec. 2009.

Bridgehaven

From 1955-56 The Louisville Section of the National Council of Jewish Women studied mental health needs in Kentucky. They identified a need for programs to assist people in the transition from hospital back to community. Bridgehaven was founded in 1958 as a direct result of this study, and was the first community program in Jefferson County. It started with three clients and now has over 500 members annually.

Their mission: “Bridgehaven provides the highest quality community-based psychiatric rehabilitation and recovery services for adults with severe and persistent mental illness. We enhance the lives of Bridgehaven members by encouraging them to achieve the skills to live, learn, work and socialize in their chosen environment. Through individual, person-centered rehab planning, we assist members in setting and achieving recovery and community integration goals.”

Some of the group therapies that are offered to the members of Bridgehaven are:
o Independent Living Skills
o Communication Skills
o Self-determination
o Recovery Awareness
o Stress Management
o Relationship Skills
o Health and Fitness
o Pet Therapy

The two programs providing activities designed to improve the ability to interact and function in the community are Bridge To Recovery and Opportunity House. They believe recovery is “a process in which individuals with severe mental illness are encouraged to take control of their lives, set goals, take advantage of opportunities and return to living, learning, working and socializing activities of their choosing.”

Along with these available programs they have Adult Day Training. This program is designed to combine person centered interventions for adults with an intellectual disability with a high quality community based psychiatric rehabilitation and recovery program. The goal is not only to allow these people to socialize in their environment, but to thrive as well.

Bridgehaven has achieved their goal of reducing the amount of hospitalizations. They have found of 137 members, 53 were hospitalized during the prior year. But, during treatment at Bridgehaven only 2 members were hospitalized during their first 6 months to a year. This is a 96% reduction in hospitalizations. This reduction represents a cost savings of at least $1.4 million.

"Bridgehaven - Home." Bridgehaven - Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Dec. 2009. .

Words from Dr. Bracco

Collaboration and Common Sense

Virtually all of us in the course of our lives evolve or develop a world view. Our world view may be seen as a set of core beliefs that create a framework for us to understand the environment we find ourselves in. Our world view is shaped by our families, teachers and experiences. While individualism and competition appear to be prevailing values in American society I have learned to view my world from another vantage point.

One of the individuals that shaped my thinking was Alfred Adler, a contemporary of Sigmund Freud. Adler’s basic tenet was that humans experience a deep sense of inferiority given that they are exposed to a world filled with natural and man-made forces that are overwhelming. Consider what we must experience at the moment of birth. If we are to thrive we must overcome the challenges in this world that threaten our survival. Adler believed that the solution lay in “common sense.”

Common sense in Adler’s view consists of people coming together to share their talents and ideas in search of answers. Collaboration is common sense and common sense is collaboration.
A social model that supports Adler’s view involves having individuals solve a problem by themselves such as, ranking a list of items that they may need for survival on a deserted island, then they are to come up with the list as a group. Invariably the group solution proves to be synergistic, that is, it proves to be better than any one of the individual solutions. As the saying goes “The whole proves to be greater than the sum of its parts.”

In seeking to fulfill Seven Counties’ mission of building healthy communities; common sense, and consequently collaboration are necessities. While there are many ways to organize the community in which we live I use a model in which our community is composed of twelve systems ; 1) Health, 2) Social Welfare, 3) Government, 4) Criminal Justice, 5) Business & Industry, 6) Faith, 7) Education, 8) Housing, 9) Transportation, 10) Media, 11) Recreation and 12) General Public. Each of these systems affects the health of a community. To achieve its mission Seven Counties must work collaboratively with and across all of these systems.

In order to build a healthy community Seven Counties must create linkages with each of these systems. If we stand alone we will realize our inferiority and we will fail. We can only achieve our mission by collaborating and using our common sense.

Are Suicide Rates Higher at Christmas?

Contrary to popular belief, suicide rates decline during the holiday season. A study was done on 188,000 recorded suicides in the U.S. and they found on average there were 102 fewer suicides during the holiday season. There was a noted dip in suicide rates leading up to, and following the Christmas holiday. One group of researchers found on average there were about 34 suicides per million people. They also found Holiday rates were lower with Christmas and New Year’s Eve at 30/million, and Thanksgiving at a surprisingly low 26/million. The New Years day rate was very high at 41/million people. This group of researchers believes the large number is due to the end of a holiday season when people get depressed at the thought of returning to work and everyday life.

The researchers have some reasons why suicide rates decline during the holidays.

~ Gathering of friends and relatives gives off a secure vibe and creates a comfortable atmosphere.

~Christmas celebrations evoke positive memories.

~There is an increase in awareness of resources available during this period.

Many assumptions are made about suicide and the holidays, but the holidays have a more relevant connection with depression. Loneliness, depression, feelings of loss, financial burdens, family conflicts, and alcohol abuse has shown to increase during the holidays. Some of these stresses can be dealt with before they hit with several simple steps. Planning ahead by identifying your feelings about Christmas is a good place to start. Second of all, being realistic about what can be afforded to give is a good guideline to your shopping adventures. Lastly, choosing to celebrate with the people who make you feel positive and hopeful as well as letting go of expectations about the holidays and just having fun. These are wonderful ways of dealing with the stresses of the holiday season.

"Are Suicide Rates Higher at Christmas?." Centre for Suicide Prevention. Centre for Suicide Prevention, 16 Dec. 1995. Web. 20 Nov. 2009. . Ballas, Chris. "Depression - Suicide Rates and the Holidays." Healthcentral.com - Trusted, Reliable and Up To Date Health Information. My Depression Connection, 7 Jan. 2009. Web. 20 Nov. 2009. http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/49/54818/suicide-holidays.
Snopes. "snopes.com: Christmas Suicides." snopes.com: Urban Legends Reference Pages. Snopes.com, 30 July 2007. Web. 20 Nov. 2009. .

People with Schizophrenia and Smoking

People with Schizophrenia have a three to four times higher rate of smoking than the general population. In a British study on 100 people with Schizophrenia, they found 92% of the men and 82% of the women were smokers, and they commonly smoke high-tar, unfiltered cigarettes. This type of cigarette is used by only 1% of the total smoking population. “People with mental illnesses have 30% more heart disease and 30% more respiratory disorders” says Ann Crocker about her research. Not only do an estimated 80% of the people with this disorder smoke, but those that are depressed and with anxiety disorders also smoke in great numbers. This can be compared to the 25% of the total adult population.


So, why do these people smoke more than the average adult? Initially people with this disorder smoke for the same reasons other people smoke; social pressure, peer influence, it’s “cool.” These reasons do come into play with smoking and Schizophrenia, but there may be a more compelling reason behind their smoking addiction. Nicotine causes an increase in synaptic dopamine so they may smoke to make up for the lack of dopamine production. This dopamine production causes stimulation to different areas of the brain responsible for mood, cognition, and appetite. By smoking they are improving the production of dopamine therefore improving their mood, sharpening cognition, and decreasing appetite.


“There is substantial evidence that nicotine could be used by patients as a self-medication to improve deficits in attention, cognition, and information processing, and to reduce side effects of antipsychotic drugs,” the German researchers concluded. In addition to these things “sensory gating” is also impacted by smoking. Receptors for nicotine are involved in sensory gating, and several studies have shown sensory gating is markedly improved after smoking, therefore lowering auditory hallucinations common in schizophrenia.

Norman L Keltner, & Joan S Grant. (2006). Smoke, Smoke, Smoke That Cigarette. Perspectives in Psychiatric Care, 42(4), 256-61. Retrieved November 17, 2009, from Health Module. (Document ID: 1182665371).
"Why Do Schizophrenics Smoke Cigarettes? Brain Blogger." Brain Blogger Topics from Multidimensional Biopsychosocial Perspectives. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2009.

"The world becomes our safety net."

ann-e
(click ann-e for a video)

"ann-e," the new application for the Apple iPhone, was created to connect people in recovery with a support network of peers in the 12-step community. "If it encourages one addict to come out of isolation into recovery, then the application has been a success" states ann-e. This anonymous network of people in recovery was developed to give addicts a network of people with similar problems and with people that are willing to help no matter the time. They developed this application with the simple concept- "Together we can do what we could never do alone." With this network of people it won't be long before the "world becomes our safety net."

This application is a peer-to-peer networking application that allows members of any 12 step program to ask each other for help and support. There are three main ways of communicating with this application:

• Anonymous peer-to-peer instant messaging between those seeking and offering help.
• Conference bridges where members are able to have a voice call anonymously.
• Facilitates face-to-face meetings between trusted peers by disclosing proximity and location.

ann-e allows users to register their affiliated 12-step program and their anonymous name for identification in the application. Also, it allows those offering help to log in and help members seeking help by chatting or setting themselves as "on call" during a set period. This application is also a safe way to exchange contact information of members that have met face-to-face. If you are a member seeking help it shows the location of your "helper" therefore it is easier to know if it is possible to set up a face-to-face meeting.

The top ten 12-step programs on the application are:

1. Alcoholics Anonymous
2. Narcotics Anonymous
3. Al-Anon
4. Overeaters Anonymous
5. Gamblers Anonymous
6. Cocaine Anonymous
7. Sex Addicts Anonymous
8. Recovering Food Addicts
9. Food Addicts Anonymous
10. Alateen

This is only a short list of the programs that are offered, there are these and so many more available for users. The main use/purpose of the ann-e application is as a tool for prevention to stay in contact with other recovering addicts to help find direction. A sign on in the morning is a good way to check in with other users and to make sure the day's path is heading toward recovery.

Step Twelve: "Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to other addicts, and to practice these principles in all our affairs."

"Technical Attributes of iPhone App ann-e." Welcome to ann-e iPhone Application. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Nov. 2009. .

"Of Mice and Mania"

There is a study being done to find the relationship of dopamine production to people with bipolar disorder in a manic episode. It is being conducted by manipulating a gene called the Clock gene in mice which is located in their brain and is associated with dopamine production. The purpose for altering this gene in mice is to find out which genes affect the neurochemical processes in humans related to dopamine.

Mice with the altered Clock gene seemed to respond more to the electric impulses sent to the pleasure pathways of their brain than the unaltered mice. These genetically altered mice kept coming back to the stimulus frequently, and the unaltered mice were not going back as often. When the Clock mice were given a dose of cocaine they were going back to the stimulus like the unaltered mice were, so their usage of the stimulus was reduced by the dose they were given.

Also, when mice were given a choice between water or sugar solution, this is something that mice find rewarding, the genetically altered mice chose the sugar solution more often than the normal unaltered mice. Genetically altered mice mimic symptoms of people in a manic bipolar state; hypersensitivity to rewards and euphoria, hyperactivity and nervous behavior, reduced anxiety and risk taking, mood stabilizing drug addiction.

Eitghty to ninety percent of people with bipolar disorder have a relative with a mood disorder. Clinicians have noted both depression and manic episodes increase substance abuse. This means these people tend to abuse stimulant drugs during manic phase and alcohol during depressive period. The lifetime rate of substance abuse for people with bipolar disorder is 38% where the rate is 10% for people without psychiatric illness. When bipolar patients abuse stimulating drugs their risks for hospitalization and suicide increase.

The genetically altered mice have different neurobiology than normal mice. Neurons in the starting point for brain dopamine pathways, including the reward circuit, fire more frequently and strongly resulting in greater dopamine release. Extra dopamine in the reward pathway is a critical factor in addiction and may influence vulnerability to both drug abuse and manic symptoms. This research is being done to find if the release of extra dopamine is also true in people with bipolar disorder in a manic episode. The findings may also provide clues to new treatments for people with bipolar disorder and drug abuse.

Whitten, Lori. "Manic Mice Show Heightened Sensitivity to Rewards." NIDA Notes Nov. 2009: 9-10. Print.