CDC says that, “In 2019, 12 million American adults seriously thought about suicide, 3.5 million made a plan, and 1.4 million attempted suicide”. According to the American Psychiatric Association, suicide is, “The 10th leading cause of death in the United States and the second leading cause of death (after accidents) for people aged 10 to 34”. Additionally, they report that in 2019, 47K+ people died by suicide in the United States. In 2020, NPR went into depth about a study conducted by the CDC, reporting that in 2020, around 46K people died by suicide. Despite the pandemic leading to mass isolation, this means that there was a decline in suicide in 2020. Though there was a small decline in suicide, 46K people still died. One person dying by suicide is too much. This is a gargantuan issue. The American Psychiatric Association lists several risk factors, warning signs, and protective factors. Before listing these factors and signs, it is important to define these. Retrieved from The Suicide Prevention Resource Center “Risk factors are characteristics that make it more likely that an individual will consider, attempt or die by suicide. Warning signs indicate an immediate risk of suicide. Protective factors are characteristics that make it less likely that individuals will consider, attempt or die by suicide.” Retrieved from the American Psychiatric Association (Psychiatry.org) Risk Factors: Previous suicide attempt(s) A history of suicide in the family Substance misuse Mood disorders (depression, bipolar disorder) Access to lethal means (e.g., keeping firearms in the home) Losses and other events (for example, the breakup of a relationship or a death, academic failures, legal difficulties, financial difficulties, bullying) History of trauma or abuse Chronic physical illness, including chronic pain Exposure to the suicidal behavior of others Warning Signs: Often talking or writing about death, dying or suicide Making comments about being hopeless, helpless or worthless Expressions of having no reason for living; no sense of purpose in life; saying things like “It would be better if I wasn’t here” or “I want out.” Increased alcohol and/or drug misuse Withdrawal from friends, family and community Reckless behavior or more risky activities, seemingly without thinking Dramatic mood changes Talking about feeling trapped or being a burden to others Protective Factors: Contacts with providers (e.g., follow-up phone call from health care professional) Effective mental health care; easy access to a variety of clinical interventions Strong connections to individuals, family, community and social institutions Problem-solving and conflict resolution skills What can we do? First, don’t be afraid to have “the talk”. Asking someone if they are suicidal and having those thoughts does not plant those thoughts or harm them in any way. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has an incredibly insightful article on how to have the conversation: https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/September-2019/How-to-Ask-Someone-About-Suicide. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIH) talks about the 5 Action Steps for Helping Someone in Emotional Pain. Ask. See above paragraph. Keep Them Safe Be There Connect. Contact information for resources can be found at the end of this article. Keep in touch. Stay connected. Resources: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) 24/7 Crisis Counselor – Text HOME to 741741 Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates is a St Louis mental health therapy practice in Creve Coeur, Missouri. The practice has a team of mental health therapists who provide therapy and counseling services to kids, teens, adults, couples, and families. Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates specializes in stress, anxiety, depression, relationships, and other mental health related issues and concerns. The practice can be reached by phone at: 314-942-1147, by email at: bryan@stlmentalhealth.com or on the web at: www.STLmentalhealth.com. The office is located at: 655 Craig Road, Suite 300, St. Louis, MO 63141.
Bradley.edu says, “Counseling has become such a common activity for couples that about 44 percent of couples who get married today go to marriage counseling before they even tie the knot”. In relationships, couples counseling has proven to be tremendously effective for many. Are you curious about couples counseling? Perhaps, even considering it? Keep on reading! GoodTherapy.org describes Couples Counseling as follows, “A form of therapy that supports people in intimate relationships,” and, “While the relationship itself is the focus in marital/relationship counseling, each partner is expected to pay attention to self-improvement and self-awareness.” (GoodTherapy.org) When To Consider Pursuing Couples Counseling Psychology Today & GoodTherapy.org lists: Trust has been broken. Power Struggles Substance Abuse Financial Issues Anger Infidelity Stress Increase in arguments. Poor communication. Something feels wrong, but not sure why. Wanting to share with partner but feels unable to share. A partner (or both) is dysfunctional during conflict. Couples has gone through something devastating. Emotional intimacy has been diminished. Approaches To Couples Counseling (From GoodTherapy.org) Imago Relationship Therapy Emotionally Focused Therapy (75% effective) Positive Psychology Narrative Therapy How Couples Counseling Works Above are some of the approaches utilized in couples counseling, but to simplify the goals and process, see below (From TalkSpace.com): “Helps people involved in a romantic relationship gain insight into their relationship, resolve conflict, and improve relationship satisfaction utilizing a variety of therapeutic interventions. Although the practice of behavioral couples therapy may vary depending on the therapist’s theoretical orientation, all couples therapy tends to involve the following general elements: (1) A focus on a specific problem (i.e. sexual difficulties, Internet addiction, intimacy, jealousy). (2) Active participation on the part of the therapist in treating the relationship itself, rather than each individual separately. (3) Solution-focused, change-oriented interventions early on in treatment. (4) A clear establishment of treatment objectives.” If you’ve read this article + done some of your own research and are interested in pursuing counseling with your partner, here are two key components that you should expect in the first session. (1) You will be answering questions from the therapist to gain insight and (2) setting goals for the course of therapy (RestorationsTherapy.com). Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates is a St. Louis mental health therapy practice in Creve Coeur, Missouri. The practice has a team of mental health therapists who provide therapy and counseling services to kids, teens, adults, couples, and families. Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates specializes in stress, anxiety, depression, relationships, and other mental health related issues and concerns. The practice can be reached by phone at: 314-942-1147, by email at: bryan@stlmentalhealth.com or on the web at: www.STLmentalhealth.com. The office is located at: 655 Craig Road, Suite 300, St. Louis, MO 63141.
In countless ways, we are living in an ever-evolving society. Of course, there is much work to be done. One of the ways to continue on the path of an evolved society is by educating. So, today, we will look at several myths revolving around mental illness. NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) & MentalHealth.gov list several myths: Having a mental illness means you are “crazy.” This is absolutely false. You are not crazy. In fact, “You are human and are susceptible to sickness and illness, the same as any other person.” (NAMI) Mental Health issues don’t impact me. This is very unlikely. Looking at the facts, MentalHealth.gov states that one in five adults in the U.S. experience a mental health issue, and one in ten young people have experienced a time of major depression. It is okay if you do experience a mental health issue – we are human and YOU are not alone. People with mental illness are violent. Undoubtedly, our country has had a surge in mass violence. However, of violent crimes, 5% are committed by those with serious mental illness. 5%… People with mental health needs, even those who are managing their mental illness, can’t tolerate the stress of a job. When those with mental illness receive treatment, which =’s productivity, lower absenteeism, and the list goes on. MentalHealth.gov says that employers report; good attendance, punctuality, good work, and job tenure. PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) is only a military man’s disease. So very incorrect. Anybody can have PTSD, “A rape or sexual assault victim, a domestic abuse victim, a survivor of a natural disaster, someone who’s suffered a loss or even a person who did not face any violence or physical threats themselves directly, but happened to witness someone else who did” (NAMI). Therapy and self-help are a waste of time. Why bother when you can just take a pill? This doesn’t get to the root of the issue. This is not an effective treatment. Therapy and self-help have proven incredibly beneficial, and it might work for you! Give it a shot. Psychiatric Medications are bad. Think about this as someone who takes medication for migraines. They take it to ease their pain and discomfort. They take it to be able to function at their best. Psychiatric medications are not bad… It is, for the most part, necessary. If you hear someone spewing these myths, please speak up. We initiate change by educating – one at a time.
MayoClinic.org defines Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) as, “A type of depression that’s related to changes in seasons,” and that, “SAD begins and ends at about the same times every year. If you’re like most people with SAD, your symptoms start in the fall and continue into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody. Less often, SAD causes depression in the spring or early summer.” (MayoClinic.org) According to Cleveland Clinic, SAD typically begins in young adulthood. 5% of adults in the U.S. experience SAD. Although it is not known why, it tends to impact women more than man. Specifically, 75% of those who get SAD are females. What causes seasonal affective disorder (SAD)? Biological Clock Change Chemical Imbalance Vitamin D Deficit Melatonin Boost Negative Thoughts What are some of the symptoms for SAD? Sadness Anxiety Fatigue Hopelessness or Worthlessness Losing interest in activities you tend to enjoy. Difficulty Concentrating Irritability Sleeping More It is important to mention the specific symptomology based on Winter-Onset & Summer-Onset SAD: Fall/Winter SAD Oversleeping Gain in weight Low energy Spring/Summer SAD Insomnia Lack of appetite Weight loss Anxiety There are multiple effective ways to treat SAD. The National Institute of Mental Health (nimh.nih.gov) goes into depth about the effectiveness of Light Therapy in treating SAD, “Since the 1980s, light therapy has been a mainstay for the treatment of SAD. It aims to expose people with SAD to a bright light every day to make up for the diminished natural sunshine in the darker months”. Additionally, the institute mentions other effective treatments, including: antidepressant medications, Vitamin D, and psychotherapy.
Depression does not define us. It is not who we are. Please know that if you are experiencing depression, you are far from alone. What should we do when we are feeling down? HelpGuide.org & Everyday Health list a great deal of helpful coping strategies to implement when experiencing depression. Frankly, many of these should be practiced in daily living to keep us healthy. Support System When depressed, it can be tempting to isolate ourselves. This is the exact opposite of what we should do. When down, be around those that uplift you. Don’t isolate from those that want to be there for you. Social Activities/Do Things That Make You Feel Good Staying in bed all day sometimes sounds really nice. Though it can be hard to get out of bed, try your best to do it. Go bowling or watch a movie. Be around friends, doing something you enjoy. Pet Ever thought about getting a companion? Taking care of a pet is not such a bad idea. In return, you’ll be taking care of yourself. Get Good Sleep, Eat Well, Relax, & Check/Manage Your Stress Make sure you get proper sleep. Try and not stress yourself out – take time to practice mindfulness, whether that’s walking outside, doing yoga, practicing deep breathing, or some other activity that allows you to be in the moment. Moving This is a continuation of some of the strategies above. Personally, I love walking outside and being in the sunlight, which boosts serotonin levels. Being active is super important! Challenge Negative Thinking Balance every negative thought with a positive thought. I struggle with catastrophizing – that scary all-or-nothing thinking. Try starting a journal! Therapy Millions of people pursue counseling, which, “Allows individuals to express and give voice to internal concerns, worries, and self-talk, without worry that they will walk out or leave them as a result. Taking part in counselling allows you to share your feelings, with someone properly trained and equipped to deal with it and help you.” (Source: www.truthcounsellingnewcastle.co.uk)
Just a few years ago in 2018-19, around 40.2 million adults in the United States had received counseling or some form of mental health treatment. Now, with all of us living in a pandemic, amongst various other stressors, it is understandable as to why this number has continued to increase. There are several reasons to seek out a therapist and begin counseling. Chris Illiades, MD, says, “Seeing a therapist is not just for people with a serious mental health issue. Talk therapy—or psychotherapy—can help anyone who feels overwhelmed by emotions or life events. A mental health therapist can help you get through tough times”. Illiades adds that when someone is overwhelmed by sadness, helplessness, worry, anxiety, or struggling with stressors, then seeking out a therapist is an important step in the right direction. In the article called Benefits and Options for Therapy, published on Healthline, Sara Lindberg discusses more reasons that people consider therapy, which include; when someone is facing a crisis, dealing with depression & anxiety, or has complex family dynamics. Listed above are reasons to consider seeing a therapist. But what will you gain from therapy? Coping skills Improved communication skills Better management/expression of emotions Assistance with depression, anxiety, amongst other mental health conditions. A safe, warm space to open up and talk through the thoughts and feelings you have. The list only continues. It is important to mention that there are multiple options for therapy; talk therapy, individual therapy, family therapy, couples therapy, online therapy, and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Each of these types of therapy have their own respective advantages, which depend on your comfortability and your reason for pursuing therapy. It takes an immense amount of courage to reach out and ask for help. If you have any further questions, reach out to us at 314-942-1147. Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates is a mental health practice located in Creve Coeur. The practice specializes in working with children, teens, and families. More information about Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates is available at: https://www.stlmentalhealth.com.
Sometimes, life can become a little too much. It can feel like the weight of the world sits on our very chest, and we just don’t have the energy to fight it off. Whether it’s work, school, or various other stressors, we need to remember to take care of ourselves. After all, how can we effectively do what we set out to do if we are not at our best? An article by Matthew Glowiak of SNHU stressed the importance of self-care, “Engaging in a self-care routine has been clinically proven to reduce or eliminate anxiety and depression, reduce stress, improve concentration, minimize frustration and anger, increase happiness, improve energy, and more”. Again, it is so vital that we take good care of ourselves in general, but especially during a pandemic. It may take some time to figure out what you like doing for self-care, but allow yourself the time to figure that out. Mental Health America lists several great self-care tips! Live a healthy lifestyle! This encompasses eating well, getting sleep, and exercising. Be social! Life during a pandemic is not easy. What is easy? Isolating. This is a no-no. Do something you enjoy doing. Whether this is playing video games, singing, or watching reality television, make time for what you enjoy. By the way, I like doing all of these. I’m not embarrassed about the reality television part! Relax – try yoga or taking a nice walk! Allowing yourself time to decompress is vital. On numerous occasions, I’ve heard that self-care is “selfish”. If there is anything you take away from this article, remember that taking care of yourself is NOT selfish. It is something all of us should practice every single day. Stephanie Grunewald, PhD, says, “Self-care is done with the intention of caring for yourself, not with the intention to harm or take from others. Being selfish means there’s a desire to take from others, often to their detriment. Self-care is about replenishing your resources without depleting someone else’s.”
St Louis Mental Health Therapist – Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates Discusses Anxiety Reduction Strategies Nervous? Restless? Trembling? Well, you could be experiencing anxiety. Before we continue, please know that everything is going to be alright. You are NOT alone in this! 40+ million adults in the United States & 264 million people worldwide have an anxiety disorder. This article will go into depth about the signs of anxiety, as well as effective approaches to assist you in living the life that you want to live, even with anxiety. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI.org) provide a list of emotional and physical symptoms that an individual with anxiety might experience. Some emotional symptoms include apprehension/dread, feeling tense, irritability, and anticipating the worst in situations. Physical symptoms include racing heart/shortness of breath, sweating, insomnia, and upset stomach. Every individual is unique, so finding the right strategy to combat your anxiety may take some time. Try the following, which are beneficial in all areas of life: 1.) Journal! Don’t keep your feelings bottled up inside – write it down. 2.) Practice self-care. Spend time doing the things that make you happy. It is not selfish to take care of yourself. 3.) Eat right. Healthy eating is incredibly important to your mental and physical health. 4.) Get a good night sleep. 5.) In more extreme cases of anxiety, talk to your doctor and consider seeking out a mental health therapist. Therapy can assist in developing coping strategies/problem solving skills, uncovering the underlying causes, and so much more. Again, remember that you are not alone! In St. Louis, you can contact a therapist or counselor at: Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates STLmentalhealth.com 314-942-1147
10 Ways to Promote Positive Mental Health in Your Children By: Dr. Lena Pearlman, LCSW – St Louis Therapist We receive many questions about what parents can do to help promote positive mental health in their children. Below please find 10 ways to promote positive mental health in your children: 1.) Sunlight Find outdoor activities to participate in with your children. Being inside all day, deprives our body of nature’s illumination. Serotonin is released in response to sunlight, which helps raise your energy level and mood. Sunlight deprivation can make a person feel sad and depressed. 2.) Role Model It is very important that you model positive mental health for your children. This includes helping them to observe you when you use positive coping skills to de-stress, relax, and calm down. 3.) Run, Skip, Hop & Move Your Body Exercise helps your physical and mental health in so many ways. Exercise alleviates anxiety. When exercising, the body releases endorphins – which creates feelings of happiness and euphoria. An additional benefit of exercise is that it boosts self-confidence. 4.) Breathe There are so many benefits to deep breathing! Breathing increases neurochemicals in the brain to elevate moods and combat physical pain. Breathing reducing excessive anxiety levels. As you relax your body, you will find that the breathing brings clarity and insights to you as well. 5.) Learn Something New Every Day (Even in the Summer) Having an “a-ha” moment and stimulating your brain has been shown to improve one’s outlook. It also feels good to have new knowledge or skills. This can be something as simple as learning something new on Khan Academy. 6.) Unplug There are many resources and tools that one can access online. As valuable and important as this can be, encourage your children to reduce “screen time” and to unplug. This is something that as a parent you can model for them as well. Find time at home to talk, eat meals, exercise, explore, and other activities that are technology free. 7.) Sleep Getting an adequate amount of sleep is critical for physical and mental health. People who are chronically sleep deprived can feel irritable, sad, angry, and lack motivation to do anything. 8.) Communicate Keep an open line of communication with your child. Help reinforce that you are there for them – even in the tough times. 9.) Happy Place Make sure that your child has a place to go to when they need to decompress, calm down, or reflect. This will give them time and a quiet place to work through a thought, situation, or conflict. They can then return when they are ready. 10.) Balance Help your child to have enough activities that keep them active and interested. Work hard to find balance between school, activities, family time, and time to relax. Over-programming your child can cause stress and an increase in anxious feelings. Perhaps create a list of activities that your child is interested in. Have your child rank their top few choices. You can then work with them to focus on a few of the high interest ones. —– Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates is a St Louis mental health therapy practice in Creve Coeur, Missouri. The practice has a team of mental health therapists who provide therapy and counseling services to kids, teens, adults, couples, and families. Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates specializes in stress, anxiety, depression, relationships, and other mental health related issues and concerns. The practice can be reached by phone at: 314-942-1147, by email at: bryan@stlmentalhealth.com or on the web at: www.STLmentalhealth.com. The office is located at: 655 Craig Road, Suite 300, St. Louis, MO 63141. Follow Dr. Lena Pearlman on Twitter at https://twitter.com/drlenapearlman.
Majority Of Teens Mental Health Negatively Impacted By The Pandemic (St. Louis, Missouri): A recent survey found that the majority of parents reported that their teen’s mental health was negatively impacted by the pandemic. The mental health concerns reported to be most prevalent included anxiety, depression, self-harming behaviors, and suicidal thoughts. According to insurance reports, the number of mental health insurance claims for US teens doubled during the pandemic. Additionally, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reported that the second leading cause of death among teens is suicide. Therapist and former elementary school principal, Dr. Bryan Pearlman, believes that education and awareness are two of the critical components of addressing the mental health crisis, “If parents, educators and the community are not aware of these statistics, they really need to be and right away. An important first step in addressing the mental health epidemic is education. From education comes action. Research shows that the sooner a person receives care for a mental health concern, the greater the likelihood of a positive outcome.” The increased numbers of teens seeking care for mental health concerns has been rapidly increasing in the St. Louis area as well. Dr. Pearlman sees this increase firsthand, “Five years ago, the average age of a client in our practice was approximately 40 years old. Today, the average age of a client is closer to 18 years old. We have also seen a rapid rise in the number of children under 12 years old that are coming in with depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and other mental health concerns.” Dr. Pearlman has some advice for parents, “You know your child the best. If you begin noticing changes in their behavior, appearance or attitude, this is something that you want to address right away. It is always best to err on the side of caution. You can reach out to your pediatrician for guidance or contact a therapist who specializes in working with children and teens.” ### Dr. Bryan Pearlman is a therapist with Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates, a mental health practice located in Creve Coeur. The practice specializes in working with children, teens, and families. More information about Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates is available at: https://www.stlmentalhealth.com. The office can be reached by phone at: 314-942-1147.
