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Suicide Awareness: Relationships suffer from depression

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Connie L. Bias
  • 92nd ARW Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about 20.9 million American adults suffer from a depressive illness in any given one-year period. That's a little less than 10 percent of the population. 

Imagine the number of people affected by depression. There are spouses, children, family members, friends, coworkers ... you get the idea. The number of people dealing with depression, either their own depression or someone else's, can be endless. 

Relationships can play a role in depression as well as with suicidal thoughts and attempts, both as a depression trigger or a recovery aid. In worst-case scenarios, family members and loved ones can also be at risk for abuse from a depressed person. 

Medical staff at Fairchild are prepared to help with all of these situations. Ruth Sunde, Family Advocacy program assistant, helps run base programs designed specifically to stop relational abuse before it starts. 

"We have prevention programs that range from marital and individual counseling to anger management," she said, adding that the Family Advocacy mission is to prevent spouse, partner and child abuse. 

When an individual does seek help through Family Advocacy, deciding whether or not they're depressed is one of the first items on the agenda. 

"Every time a person comes in, we ask them if they're having suicidal thoughts," said Ms. Sunde. "We also have assessment tools - tests and questionnaires - that help us determine if there's depression. Of course, a person's affect can often tell us if they're depressed." 

She said that while Family Advocacy is not set up to treat long-term clinical depression, especially those requiring medications, staff members at Family Advocacy and the Life Skills Support Center work together to treat depression. If medications are required for treatment, then Family Advocacy can refer a person to their primary care manager or a psychiatrist. 

"Common symptoms of depression include difficulty sleeping, a decrease in interest level and/or activity level, a decrease in energy, difficulty concentrating, appetite changes, feelings of guilt, changes in psychomotor movement such as being lethargic or agitated, and a decreased sex drive," said Capt. Selthon, Life Skills Support Center element chief and clinical psychologist. 

These symptoms, some of which may only be noticed by those closest to the depressed individual, may be signs that medical attention is necessary. 

When it comes to depression triggers, relationship problems are high on the list. Relationship problems can be between intimate partners, parents and children, friends, co-workers, and/or other family members. The problems can stem from a one-time disagreement to chronic long-term problems. 

Depression can also lead to relationship problems. For example, it is common for depressed individuals to withdraw from their social support system and to be less involved in activities that they used to enjoy. According to Captain Selthon, many patients who attend therapy state they are finally seeking treatment for their depression because a friend or loved one pointed out their concern and requested they seek help. 

On the other hand, relationships are also a strong protective factor - social support and a sense of belonging (to a community, family, church, etc.) are two relationship facets that can help a depressed or suicidal person recover and prevent further episodes. 

And the importance of being involved and taking care of others cannot be underestimated. If you think someone you know is depressed or suicidal, whether it is a family member, coworker or friend, asking them how they are doing is very important. If you think that they may be at risk for suicide then it is also crucial that you ask questions such as, "Have you had any thoughts of hurting yourself?" or "Are you suicidal?" These questions can ultimately save a person's life, said Captain Selthon. 

At Fairchild, that attention is just a walk-in or phone call away. Family Advocacy can be reached at 247-2687, and the Life Skills Support Center can be reached at 247-2731. People can also call the medical clinic and talk to their primary care manager, or go to a chaplain, first sergeant or trusted supervisor for help.

Information from the National Institute of Mental Health, www.nimh.nih.gov, was used in this story.

Editor's Note: This story is the third in a four-part series about suicide awareness. The final article will cover suicide awareness and depression in relation to alcohol and drug abuse.