Resources for Understanding and Recognizing Depression

Today I co-presented a class on clinical depression to a group of ladies from my church. It turned into more of a discussion, which is just what we wanted. I loved being a part of it.

If you were not able to attend, worry not! Here are some of the resources I shared with the class. (Note: Some are from a Latter-day Saint/Christian perspective. Keep in mind, these are things I shared in a church setting, so you are welcome to ignore them if you want to stick with secular resources. The more religious resources will have a URL beginning with lds.org, or will come from the Ensign or New Era magazines).

General Resources:

-       “Mental Illness: In Search of Understanding and Hope” by Jan Underwood Pinborough. Ensign, February 1989.

-       “Myths about Mental Illness” by Alexander B. Morrison. Ensign, October 2005.

-       “Bipolar Disorder: My Lessons in Love, Hope, and Peace.” Ensign, January 2009.

-       “On Kindness” by C. Jane Kendrick.

For Parents:

-       “When Your Child is Depressed” by Sean E. Brotherson. Ensign, August 2004.

-       Teen Depression: A Guide for Parents and Teachers.

                 

Young Adult Resources:

-       “I Almost Lost My Sister.” New Era, August 2008.

-       Half of Us. I highly highly highly recommend this site for educating youth and young adults about depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and PTSD, both for themselves, and how to help those around them.

-       “The Anxiety Workbook for Teens: Activities to Help You Deal with Anxiety and Worry” by Lisa Schab LCSW. Available through Amazon.com, $10.17.

-       “Beyond the Blues: A Workbook to Help Teens Overcome Depression” by Lisa Schab LCSW. Available through Amazon.com, $10.17.

-       “Stopping the Pain: A Workbook for Teens Who Cut and Self Injure” by Lawrence Shapiro PhD. Available through Amazon.com, $11.53.

-       “The Anger Workbook for Teens: Activities to Help You Deal with Anger and Frustration” by Raychelle Lohmann MS LPC. Available on Amazon.com, $10.85.*

(Note: I have not personally used these workbooks, but they have received great reviews on Amazon.com, and look like a very positive and cost-effective resource).

Natural Solutions:

-       Evaluate (and alter, if needed) your diet and exercise habits.

-       Herbal remedies for depression include SAM-e, 5-HTP and St. John’s Wort.

-       It is wise to work with a healthcare professional to establish healthy lifestyle habits and to determine which medication/herbal supplement is best for you. But it is also very important to listen to the Spirit and your own body.

*A woman attending the class also recommended checking out the National Alliance on Mental Illness, or NAMI. It seems like a valuable resource, though I haven't had a chance to look at it much right now.

Feel free to add any other resources you have discovered in the comments below. Thank you!

Because Knowledge is Power

(AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

The Salt Lake Tribune just released to the public a series of emails Susan Cox Powell had written to friends before her disappearance. While little can be done now, I think an important lesson can be learned from the release of the emails that Susan wrote to friends before she disappeared. If you know someone who is a victim or perpetrator of domestic violence, make sure you know--then let them know-- of the resources available to them. The decision to leave definitely has to come from the victim and can't be forced, and even then, a victim usually returns to her/his abuser several times before permanently leaving. But it's important that they know the resources available, that they have a safety plan, and that they know that they have friends who have their back 100%, no matter what.


Here are some resources for your consideration:


Creating a Safety Plan

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1−800−799−SAFE(7233)

YWCA San Diego Crisis Hotline: 619.234.3164
or through email: ineedhelp@ywcasandiego.org

"How I Stay in Shape" by Marilyn Monroe

Loved this. Sometimes we forget the basics, but that's really all you need 

to keep yourself healthy and happy, as Marilyn reminds us. Read the article here. 

(Found on Sarah Wilson's blog, a worthy read in itself).

Resources: Stay Strong + HalfofUs.com

Last night I found some links that I wanted to pass on to you, primarily more information about depression and other similar conditions.

Demi Lovato's "Stay Strong," where she addresses her struggles with healthy eating, depression, self-harm, substance abuse, and ultimately rehab. (Yes, I got to it through Perez Hilton. Whatever works). Regardless of whether or not you have struggled with any of these issues, this is a very inspiring documentary for all women. If you have a few minutes, you should definitely watch it.

In the middle of the videos, there was a link for halfofus.com. I wish everyone knew about this campaign. If you have even a minute to spare, please jump on the website and watch even a single PSA. So many people don't understand depression, and therefore don't know how to help those around them, or even themselves. I believe this campaign is essential in increasing the public's understanding of these issues.

DV: Developing a Safety Plan

I think a lot of domestic violence victims are afraid to come forth because they don't want to be forced to leave their home, make all of those drastic changes, and have to face that danger of leaving the situation. But that's not the way that at least I was trained.

You cannot force a victim to leave such a violent situation, but you can give them the tools needed to make that decision when the time is right, on his/her own time. And that's what a safety plan is.

Here are two pieces from a handout I received while receiving my domestic violence counselor certification:

Again, please, if you are a victim, know that it is not your fault, and that there is help.

Previous posts on domestic violence here.

National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE(4673)

End the Word:

I love this initiative to end the use of the word "retard." It has become so common in our society to use the term in a derogative manner, and it's not okay. To lend your support, simply sign the pledge, then "spread the word to end the word."

Info for DV Victims

"Domestic violence causes far more pain than the visible marks of bruises and scars. It is devastating to be abused by someone that you love and think loves you in return." 

- California Senator Dianne Feinstein

Over the next few weeks, I'll be participating in a domestic violence counselor training program. In turn, I wanted to pass some information onto you, faithful blog readers. I hope that these few bits of information will come in handy if, heaven forbid, you ever find yourself or a friend in the grasp of domestic violence.

Victims of domestic violence come from all age groups, religions, ethnicities, socioeconomic levels, sexual orientations... no one is exempt. Below is a common model used in identifying certain aspects of domestic violence.

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, it is important to remember that it is not your fault. It's also important to remember that help is available.

One of the most basic precautions you can take is to develop a safety plan. It doesn't require any drastic changes immediately, but it is a plan that helps you be prepared if the situation takes a turn for the worst. The RAINN organization offers a great outline here to help you make a safety plan.

Here are some 24-hour emergency hotlines to take note of:

San Diego, CA:
YWCA: 619-234-3164
San Diego DV Hotline: (888) DV-LINKS / (888) 385-4657


Salt Lake City, UT:
Utah Department of Human Services: 800-897-5465


Provo, UT:
Center for Women and Children in Crisis: 801-377-5500


National: The Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

"Canned Bread & Butter," or How My View of Food Storage Has Changed Drastically.

Before last week, my idea of food storage was cans of beans, pillowcases of raw grains, and the occasional Twinkie for dessert. Nasty. Thanks to Grandma Hendrixson, my future food storage will actually be edible-- and even moreso, enjoyable and dare I say, delightful!

I give you,

How to can bread and butter!

Bread: You can use either the store bought dough, or make your own. When the dough is made, spray a tall Mason jar with Pam, making sure all surfaces are covered. Put the dough inside the jar, filling it about half way up, let rise, then put the jar (uncovered) in a 350 degree oven for about 45 minutes.

While it's baking, sterilize the tops of the jars by boiling them in a saucepan of water (you can see the saucepan in the picture above). When the bread is baked, take it out, cut off any muffin-top, and seal it with the sterilized top. Done! Soon you will hear the "ping!" of the top sealing.

Butter: First, sterilize the jars (without lids) in a 250 degree oven for about 45 minutes. Sterilize the lids in boiling water (see above).

Put 2 sticks of butter in a glass measuring cup and microwave until it's melted. Pour the melted butter in a jar and seal it. Keep melting butter and putting it in jars until you are done filling jars.

While the jars are cooling, make sure you are continuously shaking the jars until the butter hardens. You want the white stuff at the bottom of the jars to be mixed throughout the butter (see above). If there's still that separation when the butter hardens, you'll want to stick the jars in warm water to re-melt the contents, then keep shaking to mix everything together.

There you have it! Canned bread and butter. The butter, we know, lasts at least 5 years. The bread-- we're not sure. No one's ever kept it in storage long enough to find out. I guess it's just that good!

P.S. Neither bread nor butter need to be refrigerated. They will keep just fine on the shelf until opened.


To learn more about becoming self reliant, click here.