Depression

SIX TIPS FOR BEATING THE BLUES AND MANAGING YOUR DEPRESSION

By Stanley Popovich

December 17, 2020 (San Diego’s East County) -- With the COVID-19 pandemic resulting in increased stress, anxiety and fear, it can be challenging to manage your depression and other mental health issues.  

As the shutdowns and quarantines drag on, many people are at the end of their rope and do not know what to do. Nowadays, depression and fear is the norm.

Here are some techniques that a person can use to help manage their depression and loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

1. Challenge your negative thinking with positive statements and realistic thinking: When encountering thoughts that make you fearful or depressed, challenge those thoughts by asking yourself questions that will maintain objectivity and common sense. Focus on the reality of your situation and not on your thoughts.

 


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MENTAL HEALTH IN A COVID-19 WORLD: HOW TO GET HELP

 
Part I in a two-part series
 
By Dr. Helen Horvath
 
Photo, left: isolation during COVID-19 has increased stress, anxiety and depression (Creative Commons image via Bing)
 
July 29, 2020 (San Diego’s East County) – COVID-19 has substantially changed our world, along with our relationships. Isolation due to quarantine and lockdowns, stress over loss of a job or loved one, has further exacerbated mental health conditions ranging from depression to anxiety. 

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READER’S EDITORIAL: LIVES LOST AMID PANDEMIC AREN’T ALL DUE TO COVID-19: SUICIDES RISE DURING QUARANTINE

By Bettie Wells 
 
Photo: Creative Commons by S.A. via Bing
 
May 10, 2020 (El Cajon) -- I am a mental health care professional. I have worked in the field in many arenas for 25 years. I have worked mainly in trauma-not something I picked for myself, it just worked out that way. I thought I had seen it all in my career until about three weeks ago...Suicide. 
 
As a therapist, I hear about suicide fairly often. It's an important question in a psycho-social interview. I have helped countless people work through their suicidal ideation. It's safe to say that I am not flustered by my clients needing to work though such a dark time in their lives. This last three weeks though, I have been hearing about someone suiciding on average about three times a day now. 
 
Think about that--on average three times a day, I hear about someone killing themselves. In my 25 years working in this field, I have never once experienced this much suicide happening all at once.

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FIRE CAPTAIN TAKES OWN LIFE AT PINE VALLEY BRIDGE

 

By Miriam Raftery

Updated Nov. 22, 2017 to include information on suicide prevention for firefighters through the Firefighters Behavioral Health Alliance.

November 6, 2017 (Pine Valley) – Local firefighters, heroic in battling flames and saving lives, today are grieving the tragic loss of one of their own.  Cal Fire Unit Chief and County Fire Chief Tony Mecham announced yesterday on Facebook, “It is with a heavy heart and great sadness that I notify you of the passing of Fire Captain Ryan Mitchell from Station 20. Ryan took his own life this morning at the Pine Valley Bridge shortly after completing his shift.”


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HOLIDAY BLUES? HERE’S WHO TO CALL

 

East County News Service

December 22, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) - The holidays can be a difficult time of year for those who have suffered losses or are alone.  Midwinter can also trigger Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, in some individuals.


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NEW REPORT: BIG JUMP IN MENTAL HEALTH-RELATED CALLS TO LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT

 

East County News Service

June 9, 2016 (San Diego) -- Over the past six years, law enforcement agencies throughout the region have seen an 84 percent increase in the number of calls for service that stem from mental health issues, according to new data compiled by the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) Criminal Justice Research Division.


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EIGHT WARNING SIGNS OF DEPRESSION

 

County News Service

May 25, 2016 (San Diego) -- Everyone has ups and downs. Feeling sad or having “the blues” from time to time is normal. However, if those feelings won’t go away, they could be a sign that you have depression. 


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COUNTY OFFERS HELP FOR DEPRESSION AFTER SUICIDE OF ROBIN WILLIAMS

County News Service

Photo, 2011, loaded by Eva Rinaldi on FlickR, Creative Commons license

 

August 13, 2014 (San Diego)--The suicide of Robin Williams is dominating local and national news, social media and dining table conversations. Running through all is the persistent question “Why?” He had global fame, legions of fans, and leaves behind a wife and chldren.

In the search for answers, much of the media focus has turned to the fact that the beloved actor and comedian suffered from major depression and addiction. While it’s true that clinical depression can increase the risk of suicide, San Diego County health experts say suicide is a much more complex issue.


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ECM WORLD WATCH: GLOBAL AND NATIONAL NEWS

January 16, 2013 (San Diego’s East County)--ECM World Watch helps you be an informed citizen about important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a wide variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:

U.S.

WORLD 

HEALTH

Read more for excerpts and links to full stories.


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BEATING THE HOLIDAY BLUES

By Nancy White

I’ll have a blue Christmas without you,

I’ll be so blue just thinking about you.

December 5, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--Elvis Presley aside, the holiday blues are nothing to sing about.  For many the holidays are not a time of cheer, but of dread, exhaustion and even depression.

What distinguishes the holiday blues from cases of severe depression are not the symptoms – they’re similar – but the duration.  For those who are vulnerable, the blues tend to arrive just before the holidays – in anticipation – and fade when the calendar turns. The symptoms generally are a lack of interest in usually pleasant activities, sleep disturbances, appetite changes, agitation, anxiety, feelings of guilt or difficulty in concentrating.


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FDA ISSUES WARNING AND RECALL OF MERCURY PRODUCTS

 
March 12, 2012 (Washington, D.C.) -- The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning on March 6, 2012 about skin creams, beauty and antiseptic soaps, and lotions that may contain mercury. Skin products containing mercury have been found in at least seven states. They are manufactured in other countries and marketed as skin lighteners and anti-aging treatments that remove age spots, freckles, blemishes and wrinkles.

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READER’S EDITORIAL: SAN DIEGO MOM ASKS CONGRESS TO EXTEND UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS AND KEEP HER FAMILY OFF THE STREETS

 By Vanessa Celia Winters, San Diego

 
December 16, 2011 (San Diego) -- I am a Wal-Mart associate who supports three children, and an unemployed husband. My husband was laid off due to the economic recession and has been on unemployment ever since. I work odd hours at Wal-Mart just to earn enough money to feed my family.

 


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MARKETING MATTERS: BUSINESS PLANNING—MORE CRITICAL THAN EVER

 

Tips and tricks for business success and growth
 
 
 
 
by Rama Beerfas
 
August 27, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) –  As I write this, the stock market is up.... sorry it's down... oops, I mean up.... no, it's down..... Yup, we are once again on that wacky roller coaster ride called, "The Economy."
While many businesses see this rock 'n' roll economy as a reason to cut back or eliminate marketing, I contend that is a knee-jerk response which will probably cause more problems than add to the bottom line.
 

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AN UPLIFTING THOUGHT: COUNTY OFFERS FREE DEPRESSION SCREENINGS THIS WEEK


County Offers No Cost Depression Screenings, Referrals and Resources

 

October 2, 2010 (San Diego)--The County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA), in partnership with the Community Health Improvement Partners (CHIP), is hosting a series of no cost depression screenings for adults during San Diego Depression Screening Week October 4-9.


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WILL POWER REPORT: JOBS, JOBS, JOBS!

 

Nothing but the Truth!
 

By Will Power

September 13, 2010 (San Diego) -- Since it is clear banks and brokers would rather lay people off then hire them, it is time the U.S. Government provide entry-level jobs in public service to stimulate the economy. This worked before, when the CCC and WPA provided millions of unemployed US citizens with jobs and training that helped the U.S. out of the Great Depression.


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