mentalhealth

Why It’s Important to Have Fun While Aging

~ Linda Leier Thomason ~ 5 Comments
Aging is a universal process. It’s highly personal. But growing older doesn’t mean you have to stop having fun and “act your age.”

You may slow down and rightfully rest more. But don’t put the brakes on living life to the fullest, being joyful and playing.

There are endless benefits to trying new adventures and having fun while aging.

  • Improves mental and emotional health
  • Reduces anxiety and depression
  • Improves muscle strength and stamina
  • Establishes and maintains relationships
  • Improves how the brain works
  • Enhances physical vitality
  • Extends life

Keep a positive attitude. Laugh a lot, even aloud.

When you feel blue or depressed, remember it is always much better to live in the moment than to obsess about the past or worry about the future. NOTE: It is okay to feel blue or depressed temporarily. However, if you stay in this frame of mind, it’s important to look at different things to “spark” your interest.

A good outlook on life leads to lower blood pressure, less heart disease, better weight control and healthier blood sugars.

Pledge to live life to the fullest with adventure and playfulness.

Keep your body and mind active every day by engaging in both physical activity and learning from new experiences. Enjoy a vibrant, exciting time as you age.

The phrase, “Move it or Lose it” is profoundly accurate. If we don’t move our bodies even as we experience little aches and pains, the aches and pains will only worsen.

Without movement, muscles atrophy or keep deteriorating until there is nothing left. The hurt then increases resulting in loss of range of motion which can cause loss of balance and falls.

Remember, our brain is also a muscle. So, keep moving and doing.

Physical Activities

Try something new. It’s not too late to start. If you have health or mobility concerns, consult with your doctor before beginning a new physical activity.

Let go of your fears and social anxiety. Recruit a friend, neighbor or family member to join you on your new adventures and activities.

Imagine the exhilaration after accomplishing a new feat. Be proud of pushing limits and taking on new challenges.

Whatever you do, get moving! Sitting on the couch or resting in bed causes endless health problems.

Go online and search for ways to get involved in local fun events or recreational activities. Check out community centers and senior citizen centers. Ask your medical team for suggestions. Find something to keep yourself engaged and moving.

And guess what? You don’t have to spend a fortune to get physically active. Invest in a good pair of walking shoes and start exploring your neighborhood or a nearby park. Not only will you be more physically active and likely feel better, you’ll engage in social interaction, which is also great for one’s mental health.

Consider Trying

  • Bicycling (Regular or Recumbent) NOTE: Investigate a 3-wheel bike to aid in balance and avoid tipping over
  • Walking, Hiking or Pushing your young grandchild or great grandchild in a stroller
  • Table Tennis or Bowling
  • Kayaking, Sailing or Canoeing
  • Pickleball, Tennis, Shuffleboard, Badminton, Corn Hole and Horseshoes
  • Swimming, Water Aerobics or Water Walking, which is great for joints and doesn’t require swimming skills
  • Yoga, Tai Chi or Zumba
  • Golf, Miniature Golf, Bocce Ball, or Croquet
  • Yard Work like Gardening, Raking, Digging and Planting
  • Bird Watching NOTE: Put out an inexpensive bird feeder and watch the feathered friends come. Without realizing it, you will stimulate your mind as you research what type of birds are visiting. You’ll have full body movement by filling bird feeders. Wonderful year-round treat for your mind and body.

“Motion is the Lotion.” Start moving.

Learn from New Experiences

Stay cognitively sharp and alert while learning something new. Break out of old patterns. Light up your brain while stretching out of your comfort zone. New experiences keep us young and vibrant. They help us retain memories and think clearly.

Babies experience the world with awe and a sense of wonderment and play. This can be you as you learn and experience new things.

Be spontaneous and open to new adventures.

For Example:

  • Plant something new in your garden. Basil, for instance. Nurture its growth and then go online and learn how to freeze it. Or plant flowers and begin making floral arrangements for yourself and/or others. Learn pressed flower art.
  • Begin to sew, embroider, crochet, quilt or knit. Many churches have groups that make items for those with terminal illnesses or newborns.
  • Try painting, sketching, ceramics, pottery, beading, woodworking and/or card or jewelry making. Build and paint bird houses.
  • Plan a trip to a new domestic or foreign location. Travel. Upon return home, document your memories by scrapbooking or creating an online photo album and/or video.
  • Experiment with new foods and recipes. Invite a neighbor you’d like to know better. Enjoy the fellowship and the meal. Consider home brewing with a DIY beer-making kit.
  • Volunteer where your interests lie. Perhaps it’s the zoo or the botanical center or maybe your place of worship or local school.
  • Start a neighborhood board game night. Or work together on a massive jigsaw puzzle. Participate in fantasy sports leagues and work on crossword and Sudoku puzzles. Join a card or chess club. Say “yes” to Trivia Game Nights. Bonus: Stretch the brain while socializing and maybe even making new friends.
  • Research and practice being an improv comedian or storyteller.
  • Write or record your autobiography and family history.
  • Explore participating in local performing arts like dance troupes, karaoke, acting, juggling, magic and choral groups.
  • Learn a foreign language or how to play a musical instrument like the piano or a ukulele.  Upgrade your computer skills.
  • Restore a vintage car and attend classic car meetups. Rebuild an old RV.
Don’t neglect your mental health needs. Allow yourself time to have some real fun.

Remember, you are allowed to have some fun before all of the work is done. Be spontaneous. Accept invitations even if it means putting off the household or yard chores.

Enjoy the small pleasures in life. You’ve earned it!

Final Note

Maybe it’s hard for you to have fun. You’ve worked most of your life and carried a ton of responsibility for the family. Perhaps you’ve lived a scheduled, structured or routine life. Now you’re retired and urged to enjoy life and create new adventures. This may seem weird or stress you out. You may even feel like you don’t know how to begin to “have fun.”

Take a breath. Understand this feeling is normal. Over time, you likely will begin to participate in physical activities and new experiences to enrich your life. You will find meaningful ways to have fun in a way that satisfies you.

Always keep in mind that you are doing yourself a favor by having fun. It’s good for you and everybody loves people who are fun and living life with the maximum amount of joy.

Finally, know it is your right to also just REST. Don’t feel pushed into doing when you need to rest. Avoid shaming yourself for “just being.”

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©September 2022   Craft LifeStyle Management.

All Rights Reserved.

Written for Craft LifeStyle Management by Linda Leier Thomason

New Year, New You in 2022

~ Linda Leier Thomason ~ Leave a comment

For many of us a new year is a time for those New Year’s resolutions. Let’s be honest. Resolutions are hard because they require us to make changes in our lives about the way we are doing things. Resolutions are usually difficult to stick to. When we don’t, we feel discouraged. Most of us give up before January ends.

January is also Self-Love Month. How about trying a different approach to resolutions this year?

#1 Resolution

The number one resolution is almost always to lose weight or change something about ourselves. While health and self-improvement are great goals, it is equally important to love yourself.

Waistlines and scales do not tell us what a great family member you are or how kind, generous and compassionate you are. They can’t measure the care you give to loved ones.

Here’s a fresh approach to start 2022.

Be kind to your body and show yourself some love this month, and every month.

If you’re looking for some healthy new resolutions where you can see real positive changes in your overall health and well-being and also practice self-love, put some effort toward:

Beginning a New Exercise Routine

Set aside the negative self-talk which has prevented you from achieving this goal in the past. Yes, this is easier said than done! Find a likeminded friend. Set a time to meet weekly. The only rule is there can be no sitting and eating when together.

Walk. 🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️

Weather is a great excuse during winter months. Eliminate the excuse. Find a warm indoor space like a mall. No, this doesn’t mean you have to shop and spend. Just walk and talk.

Starting to move doesn’t need to be difficult. It can be fun! Yes, fun! Start with something you truly enjoy. Whatever you choose, commit for short periods and then add on.

If it was easy, this would not be the ‘resolution’ where we start over each new year. Right?

Sticking with it and remaining active is a mindset.

Now that you and your friend are getting together once or twice a week to move, take it to another level.

Stay focused on your resolutions.

Perhaps join a gym. It is very intimidating to walk into a gym when you are not used to that environment. Once you join, try all the different classes. It is a great way to learn new things and see what you truly enjoy.

Most communities have free or reasonably priced fitness classes. These are ideal for those more likely to stay committed to a routine by joining a group. Groups not only hold one accountable but provide great socialization.

Denise’s Insight about Movement

Those who know me personally know I go nuts if I cannot get energy out of my body! Those caged squirrels about do me in. After a stress-filled day, I cannot just come home and sit. No matter the time of day, I have to take at least 30 minutes to unwind my brain by moving my body. A walk will do just this for me.

Taking Care of Your Mental Health

Exercise movement not only impacts your physical health. It’s also great for your mental health. It releases endorphins making you feel happy. Exercise helps your body release negative energy. It rids the body of anxiety. In other words, a simple brisk walk can make you feel calmer and more relaxed.

In 2022, commit to moving your body. 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

Other things affecting your mental health are:

  • Getting a great night’s sleep
  • Eating a balanced diet
  • Spending quality time with others
  • Boosting your brain with activities like word games, Sudoku, or playing an instrument.

If you have unresolved issues affecting your mental health, maybe 2022 is the time to make an appointment with a professional mental health counselor to deal with these emotional difficulties or mental illness. This is self-love, not weakness or selfishness.

Denise’s Insight about Mental Health

Silence is another way to care for your mental health. It’s my favorite. Yes, there is meditating and being in quiet to connect with one’s inner self in stillness. It’s a beautiful thing!

I love when our clients say, “Oh sure I will just sit down and meditate while I have my parents, children, work, etc. all on my plate!!”

I totally get this, and live this.

This is what I do daily. I put my dinging phone away and turn off all electronics around me. In complete silence I unload the dishwasher, fold laundry or pick up a room. The quiet forces me to listen to nothing and to hear my own thoughts. This is my early morning meditation. It works wonders for me. Perhaps it will for you.

Practicing Self-Care

Self-Care is an act of self-love. It is taking care of yourself in a physical, mental, emotional or spiritual way. You are aware of your own needs and do what is necessary to meet them. It can be as simple as taking a few minutes of your day to browse a favorite website or enjoy a desired snack. Or, it can be as involved as a spa day.

Contrary to most of our upbringings, self-care is not being selfish or indulgent. Rather, it is essential to having a healthy mind and body.

If we do not work on ourselves and make time for rest and relaxation or if we neglect our souls, we will burn out. Depleting ourselves, we are no good to anyone, including ourselves.

8 Steps Toward Self-Love in 2022

So, as we begin 2022 in the month dedicated to self-love,

  • Surround yourself with good.
  • Remember you are important.
  • Plan something just for you & have something to look forward to.
  • Take joy in the success of others.
  • Let your guard down and receive care from others. Accept a hug or massage. Share your feelings. Ask for help.
  • Trust yourself and your voice. You don’t need to apologize for having an opinion that differs from others.
  • Be accountable to yourself and others. Don’t make excuses for your unacceptable behavior, or accept others’ excuses for theirs.
  • Cut yourself some slack, nobody’s perfect! Have some fun.

Here’s to a Great 2022!!

© January 2022 Craft LifeStyle Management.

All Rights Reserved.

Written for Craft LifeStyle Management by Linda Leier Thomason

How to Bring Christmas Joy to Elderly Loved Ones

~ Linda Leier Thomason ~ Leave a comment

Christmas is associated with tradition and family gatherings. The music, food and decorations all come around year after year to remind everyone the holiday season is here.

Our seniors understand these traditions more than any others. They are generally the ones who’ve passed them down and given them meaning to the younger generations.

There are many benefits of spending time with elderly loved ones during the holidays.

Christmas can be depressing for older adults as they recall people and things they’ve lost over time. While it’s good to honor these deceased loved ones, it’s better for one’s mental health to share stories, create new memories and participate in traditional Christmas events and activities.

Spending time together as an extended family can boost everyone’s spirits, and even lower the risk of depression.

3 Simple Actions That Bring Joy

Decorate

Ask everyone to bring a certain number of their favorite ornaments and holiday decorations. Share the story of the ornament’s history and joy it brought to your life as you place it on the Christmas tree. 🎄

Hang wreaths on doors and windows and place holiday decorations throughout the home.

Bonus: All of these activities require movement. Your elderly loved one is getting quite a lot of physical activity while enjoying each of these activities.

Socialize

Gather together and watch favorite holiday movies. Share stories of your family’s past Christmas gatherings. (Hopefully most are positive.) Bake and decorate cookies and work on arts and crafts side-by-side. How about a craft from the past-paper snowflakes?

If your family is lucky enough to have a pianist, join around the piano and sing carols. Better yet, bundle up and surprise neighbors and friends by caroling at their front doors. 🎵🎹

Bonus: Recalling past Christmases enhances memory and keeps the brain healthy, as does socialization. Music has the power to reconnect us to joyous past memories. For seniors, it can be quite nostalgic to relive the magic of past Christmases.

Get Online

Using technology during the holiday season isn’t all bad. It can be quite positive, especially if your loved one has limited mobility. 💻

Set a date and sit side-by-side to help them purchase a few gifts through online shopping-free delivery, of course.

Teach them how to send online Christmas cards.

Virtually connect through technology and schedule a time to bring all of the family together through a video call using applications (apps) like: Apple FaceTime, Google Hangouts or Skype. Share joyful highlights of your year, or even watch a favorite holiday movie together. It can make all feel a bit closer if the entire family can’t be together for the holiday.

Bonus: Each of these will lift your loved one’s spirits, reducing depression. Learning online skills strengthens the brain.

Hint: Many seniors still have a strong preference for receiving personal mail through the USPS. If this is your aging loved one, be sure to send them a physical card with a handwritten loving, uplifting message.

Caring

Showing our elderly loved ones we are thinking about them during the holiday season doesn’t have to be stressful or burdensome. You can easily show they are not forgotten by incorporating established holiday traditions and using technology.

Do keep in mind how they may be feeling. They used to be “in charge” of making the holidays joyful. Now, as they’ve aged and lost some of their abilities, they may have relinquished the holiday merriment to a younger generation. There may be a sense of loss. But, incorporating the simple steps above, a sense of joy can still exist.

PS: The best gift you can ever give is the gift of time from your busy life to create special moments together.

Wishing you and your loved ones much joy this holiday season.

Merry Christmas! 

Denise & The Craft LifeStyle Management Team

As always, reach out to us if we can be of help.http://craftlifestylemgt.com/contact/

© December 2021 Craft LifeStyle Management.

All Rights Reserved.

Written for Craft LifeStyle Management by Linda Leier Thomason.

5 Ways You Can Combat Loneliness for Aging Parents

~ Linda Leier Thomason ~ Leave a comment

Stay Connected & Engaged

Isolation and loneliness are serious problems for older adults.

Sadly, 43% of people over 60 are reporting that they are suffering from loneliness. 

It may be due to

  • Loss of a spouse
  • Physical decline like decreased mobility, hearing and vision, resulting in loss of driving ability
  • Death of peers
  • Reluctance to make new friends
  • Limited social outings and interactions
  • Unfamiliarity with technology

Remaining in one’s home is often a goal but it can result in extreme social isolation. Even if caregivers stop-in to check on the aging person, life often lacks fun and excitement.

Geographically distant family members become overwhelmed with guilt and uncertainty of how to help combat the loneliness from afar.

It becomes worrisome when they hear aging relatives express enthusiasm about social connections in offshore countries and optimism about winning lotteries.

While contests and social media platforms can be fun, they can also cause multiple problems, especially if your loved one begins sending money to unscrupulous ‘connections’ from afar.

Loneliness is linked to disease and even death. Those who feel isolated and alone are sicker and often die sooner.

It’s important to build safe social networks, in person or digitally, at all ages, but especially for older adults living alone.

5 Tips

1. Stay in Touch Frequently & Regularly

Put yourself in their place. Imagine living alone and never speaking to or connecting with anyone other than a retail clerk or medical staffer.

Make it a point to call or visit regularly. Maybe you check-in with a phone call every day at a certain time or every Sunday, for instance, you meet for lunch. Your senior will look forward to each of these contacts.

Increase your contact volume and keep a regular schedule.

While you’re there in person, go through the mail.

Do you see anything that looks suspect, like phony offers of prizes from lotteries and sweepstakes or envelopes from foreign countries? If so, talk about this and remind them of the possible risks of these sorts of activities.

Remember, anytime you’re asked to send money to collect a prize, it’s not legitimate.

2. Introduce & Teach Technology

People of a certain age may not own or even use technology like those younger than them.

This doesn’t mean they don’t have the ability to learn.

Investing in a computer or tablet with a camera is a great way to help an aging relative feel connected.

Let the grandchild teach them how to use it, establishing a memorable bond.

Check out community education classes for seniors.

A whole new world can open up to an aging relative willing to learn how to use technology.

3. Attend Events Together

Few older adults want to learn a new craft or be pushed into an activity they never enjoyed or participated in while younger.

Instead, go down memory lane with them.

Ask what activities they fondly recall from day’s past. Maybe it’s the annual fall festival or the church fish fry, or even the Christmas concert at the elementary school. Whatever it is, make plans to attend together.

Be sure you get the tickets and make the travel arrangements so the event is worry-free for them.

4. Relive the Old Times

Make a date to sit with them a look through family scrapbooks, home movies and photo albums to relive memories. You may be amazed what new information you learn.

Or, pull out a favorite recipe to make together. Or find a card or board game and play it.

Let them take the lead and tell you what activity from their past brought them the greatest joy, and then do it together with patience.

Doing these beloved activities with grandchildren will only heighten the experience.

5. Community

Maybe your aging loved one was never a “joiner” but it doesn’t hurt to try and encourage them to participate in the many community events for senior citizens.

Get online and research availability and maybe even join them for an activity or two to ease the transition.

It’s proven that social interaction and activity extends one’s life span. This is a great, easy way to start them getting more social interaction.

© May 2020. Craft LifeStyle Management. All rights reserved.

Written by Linda Leier Thomason for Craft LifeStyle Management.

Denise Craft founded Craft LifeStyle Management in 1988 to ease the burden for families of the aging, veterans, and special needs adults during times of transition. She understands what’s involved in transitioning any individual from their personal home to their next home and to end of life. Her seasoned knowledge of available placement services, housing options, eligible benefits and payor sources, and community resources is endless. 

Please contact Denise Craft LifeStyle Management for all of your transitional needs.

Depression & Suicide in Rural America: Joey’s Story

~ Linda Leier Thomason ~ Leave a comment

Who’s Joey?

Joey’s a white, 54-year-old male living in a small town in rural North Dakota. He’s been married for 29 ½ years to fellow Napoleon native, Missy (Sperle).

He’s the proud father of three grown children (Amanda, Megan and Elijah) and has an adorable 9-month-old grandson.

Joey’s the middle child with two sisters and an in-law to Missy’s 12 siblings.

He’s provided for his family as a restaurant owner and manager, retail manager and maintenance worker at the Napoleon Care Center.

Joey loves spending time with his family, especially hunting with his son, mowing the lawn and watching TV.

He’s described as kind, soft-hearted, genuine and sweet.

Joey loves people, but is shy.

He works hard not to hurt anyone’s feelings.

Joey can also be a prankster and a joker.

He has a strong Catholic faith.

Joey has suffered with depression for 34 years.

On December 9, 2016, Joey ended his life by suicide.

Battling Depression

This wasn’t Joey’s first attempt at ending his struggle with life.

Three times he overdosed with medication chased by alcohol. The last time by a fatal gunshot in the master bedroom.

“In the 35 years we were together, it was like a roller coaster ride,” said his wife, Missy. Joey was hospitalized for the suicide attempts. He saw doctors for decades and took a variety of antidepressants. He even had shock treatments, which worked for a few years, but, according to Missy, also affected his short-term memory.

Joey’s depression peaked when he was under pressure or conflict was present in his life.

“Joey loved his family so very much but I believe the suffering just got to be too much. He was so tired of the struggle to keep going,” shared Missy.

Suicide’s Effect on Family

Joey’s children felt deep guilt in the months after his death. “These days were very hard. The kids felt guilty because they didn’t call or visit their dad more often.”

Somehow they believed if they’d have reached out and visited more frequently his suicide could’ve been prevented.

Not likely.

Hilzendeger Family

Joey and Missy often talked about suicide because of his 30-year depression battle. “I knew the day would come where he’d accomplish it. However, I always figured it’d be by means of overdose and not by shooting himself on a day when all the children were coming home.”

Missy assured and comforted her children and told them what she’d say to any family who’s suffered such a loss:

1. This is not your fault. Depression is an illness like cancer, diabetes or alcoholism. It is no one’s fault and certainly nothing to be ashamed of.

2. Use available resources for helping you cope: support groups, pastoral counseling, therapy, physician visits, retreats, spa services-whatever is available to you and makes you feel better.

3. Stay strong. It may feel like you will never get over this. It is not easy and you will never forget. Each day does get better and you will learn to live with it. You have to believe God loves you and will help you through this.

Though she coaches her children and others to be guilt-free, Missy sometimes blames herself for Joey’s suicide. “We were together for 35 years and I just couldn’t bring him back from the darkness this one last time.”

However, Missy has never been angry with Joey for what he did. “We were together so long and I knew how much he struggled on so many occasions. I can’t be angry with him.”

She admits, though, she’s been disappointed that he didn’t fight harder, especially after they had their first grandchild. “He was so unbelievably proud of that little boy.”

Missy is comforted knowing that she and the kids did not miss any warning signs of Joey’s impending suicide. “He battled depression for 30 plus years. Though it was difficult, it was part of our lives for so many years.

I wish I could have him back, but for Joey’s sake, knowing how much he suffered for so long, I truly hope and pray that he is now at peace.”

Moving Forward

Joey is terribly missed by all. Thinking of him brings both a smile to Missy’s face and tears to her eyes.

She talks to him regularly, asking him to watch over the family and to keep them safe, always, but especially from the current pandemic. “I pray every day that Joey is at peace and is right beside God.” That was always his greatest wish.

Missy’s relies heavily on her immediate and extended families to cope and is deeply grateful to each of them for their commitment to her. “They’ve helped so much with everyday life since Joey’s death. I wouldn’t have been able to get through this without them and my faith.”

Her toughest days were the grief-filled ones the first four weeks after Joey’s death. “I cried every day, many times a day. I remember thinking I’d just lost my husband yet everyone is moving on like nothing happened.”

She returned to work and kept busy, yet when summer arrived, she was hit with another wave of grief. She was alone to tend to yard work-one of Joey’s favorite chores that he enjoyed so much.

I had a wake-up call. Life was moving on with or without me. “The pain of his death has not gone away. I have just learned to live with it.”

“It’s been 3 ½ years. Every day is anyone’s guess how the day will be. Some days I feel like crying when I hear a certain song or relive a special memory. The next day, I’m just fine.”

Wishing Missy and her beautiful family days of peace and happiness ahead.

Thank you for sharing your story so that others may have hope.

If you’re experiencing thoughts of suicide, please seek immediate help from a physician or mental health professional. Effective July 16, 2022, call 988. 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline | SAMHSA

In the US, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). For more information, visit the NSPL web site (www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org).

Pinochle Tournament

Keeping Legacy Alive

Joey loved playing pinochle https://bicyclecards.com/how-to-play/pinochle-2/, as do many in the Napoleon, http://napoleonnd.com/ North Dakota community.

To keep Joey’s memory alive, every March his family hosts a pinochle tournament in Napoleon with funds donated to the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention (AFSP) in memory of Joey Hilzendeger.

If you’d like to make a donation to the card tournament, send a check to Missy Hilzendeger 322 Avenue C East, Napoleon, ND 58561.

Or, you can donate directly to AFSP online in memory of Joey Hilzendeger. https://afsp.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=cms.page&id=1390&eventID=2043

The 5th Annual Pinochle Tournament is scheduled for March 2021. The day is not yet available.

What Can You Do?

  • Seek help if you are suicidal. Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
  • Leave notes of encouragement for Missy below.
  • Donate and participate in the Pinochle Tournament.
  • Send a donation in Joey’s name to AFSP.
  • Encourage loved ones to seek help.
  • Objectively listen and pay attention.
  • Keep the lines of communication open.
  • SHARE this post with others struggling with depression and/or suicidal thoughts.
  • SHARE with family members left behind.

North Dakota Facts

North Dakota saw the nation’s largest increase in suicide rates from 1999 to 2016- 58 percent.

That was more than twice the national increase of 25 percent, according to figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

That means that in North Dakota, which has the nation’s 10th-highest suicide rate, a person dies by suicide every 57 hours.

In 2019, 154 people committed suicide.

Guns are the leading means of suicide nationally as well as in North Dakota. They account for slightly more than half of all suicides in North Dakota.

Easy access to firearms, along with increased social isolation and lack of behavioral health services, are among the reasons cited for higher suicide rates in rural areas.

Learn More

https://www.theitem.com/stories/the-pain-of-suicide,339546

http://www.ndaap.com/uploads/2/6/4/7/26479511/reaching_zero_suicide_in_nd.pdf

https://bismarcktribune.com/news/state-and-regional/suicide-numbers-keep-rising-in-nd-but-there-s-help/article_41deb409-b5b9-5efa-b48c-6b0d6efe7753.html

https://www.catholiceducation.org/en/culture/catholic-contributions/the-sin-of-suicide.html

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/men-and-depression/index.shtml

https://www.governing.com/gov-data/health/county-suicide-death-rates-map.html

https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2020/01/30/americas-suicide-rate-has-increased-for-13-years-in-a-row

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/mental-health/suicide-rates-are-rising-especially-rural-america-n1050806

https://www.kfyrtv.com/content/news/Resources-in-ND-available-when-mental-health-and-suicide-grief-becomes-too-much-567637891.html

https://afsp.org/state-fact-sheets

©April 2020. Linda Leier Thomason All Rights Reserved.

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Linda Leier Thomason writes freelance business and travel stories along with feature articles. Her work experience includes a Fortune 500 corporation, federal government, entrepreneurship and small business. Read more about her background and qualifications by clicking on the “Meet Linda” tab above.

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