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Suicide Awareness and Prevention: Five Signs That It’s Time to Seek Help

It’s not surprising that the deepest pains are the ones hardest to communicate with others. Over time, anxiety, depression, and isolation can drive a wedge between us and the people we love. While it is natural to feel sadness from time to time, there is a point when what we feel internally exceeds normal sadness and points to a larger, and potentially harmful, problem. It’s important to understand and recognize the warning signs that indicate when depression needs to be addressed and our emotional wellness needs to be tended to. Here are five signs when depression has gone too far, and the steps to take to get life back on track.

  1. Change of Character

Sometimes, it is hard to recognize how many masks we put on to cover how we feel on the inside. No matter how much we try to act like everything is fine, if something is eating us from the inside, it will reveal itself to our family and friends over time. When someone points out that you haven’t been acting like yourself, you should really stop and weigh what this statement really means, and truly think about if it’s time to seek help.

  1. Becoming More Withdrawn

When faced with great inner conflict, we tend to spend more time focused on ourselves, for better or worse. As we become more and more withdrawn, there might be a point where our own friends and family members will point this out to us, and suddenly yank us back to the present moment. If your emotional health is beginning to interfere with how you interact with the outside world, then it might be time to take action.

  1. Turning to Self-Destructive Habits

Everyone responds to inner conflict differently. Sometimes, we put on a mask and pretend like everything is fine. Sometimes, we cut ourselves off from everything around us, and other times we respond with physical violence to match the violence occurring within. While self-harm is a typical indication that our emotional pain is manifesting in a negative way, there are other ways we can inflict harm upon ourselves such as turning to drugs and alcohol. Acts of self-harm are a clear indicator that it’s time to reach out for help.

  1. Shifting Moods and Behaviors

Our mood can be a deceptive gauge of how we feel internally. Mood can fluctuate from highs to lows in a span of a few minutes, and for seemingly no reason at all. However fleeting mood may be, sudden changes in mood and behavior can point to a crescendo of internal emotional pain, and signal it’s time to seek help from professionals. When it comes to suicide, impulsivity is a dangerous state of mind.

  1. Lack of Future Ambitions

A sign that often goes overlooked is how a person struggling with depressive and suicidal thoughts often fails to make plans for the future. For many, part of living is making plans—planning out the upcoming weeks, months, and even years. Making future plans shows that we anticipate being around for a long time. If you find that you don’t really have any plans moving forward or if you feel lost and certain that you don’t have a future, then you absolutely need to seek help.

Any time you notice yourself, or even someone close to you, exhibiting any one of these signs, you should take a moment and assess the situation by asking, “Am I, or is this person, at risk?” There is always someone out there ready to listen, hear your story, and let you express what’s going on inside. When you’re not sure what to do, talk. There are various ways to prevent depression from exceeding beyond our control. Sometimes, all we need is a companion animal such as a dog to help give our life enough purpose to keep us hanging on, but sometimes we need more in-depth help from a counselor or therapist. Whatever help you need, you deserve to get it so you can live a happy, fulfilling life.

So often, tragedies can be avoided if people just take the time to check in on themselves and others. No matter how dark we may feel internally, there’s always a silver lining. There’s always a reason to keep moving forward.  – Melissa Howard

Thank you to WHCA’s guest freelance contributor, Melissa Howard, for this article.

Are you struggling or need more information?  Check out the CASP website.

September Health Club Promotion

School is back in sessions.  The September routine is beginning to set in.  It’s time to include a health and wellness regime in your routine.  Come on down to the West Hillhurst Community Association and check out the Health Club’s September promotion.

Don’t delay and register today!   For more information, please check out www.westhillhurst.com/health-club, call or 403.283.0464 ext 1 or contact us via email at healthclub@westhillhurst.com

Saturday Sports @WHCA

This September, your WHCA will be hosting a six week program full of fun, learning and games!  Saturday sports will help kids engage in physical activity, learn techniques, rules and get out of the house on Saturday mornings.

Registration is required and you may do so in the office .  Don’t want to come in?  Email programs@westhillhurst.com or 403.283.0464 ext 4

FREE Member Classes in September

Are you a member of the WHCA?  Are you looking to get your membership soon?  Did you know that there are exclusive benefits for our members?

Coming in September, two workout classes will be included in your membership.  Take some time for yourself and learn he beautiful techniques of Tai Chi and Yuan Gong.  Experience a zen-like approach to your workout and help relax and settle your mind.  Starting in September, WHCA members can register for these FREE classes!

To register, please contact programs@westhillhurst.com or 403.283.0464 ext 4
Need to purchase your WHCA membership?  You can do so by seeing us in the office, by calling 403.283.0464 or online.

Pride: A Conversation

Join your WHCA during Calgary Pride Week (August 24 – September 3, 2018) at Pride:  A Conversation.  This informational session will focus on a couple key areas:

During Calgary Pride celebrations, the WHCA is hosting an informational session and Q&A with a panel of seven (7) interesting LGTBQ+ Calgarians. This discussion is open to everyone.

Our Goals:

– Build community and increase inclusion within West Hillhurst.

– Increase awareness and understanding about:
– Sexuality and gender issues
– Calgary’s LGTBQ+ community

– Provide attendees with local LGTBQ+ resources / services*

Join us on August 29, 2018 from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at West Hillhurst Community Association.  Registration is required by noon on August 29, however, we will be accepting drop-ins.  Registers will have a chance to win a door price.  If registration limits are not reached, this program will NOT run.

For more information, contact marketing@westhillhurst.com or 403.283.0464 ext 3

Health Club Classes in August @ WHCA

What are you waiting for?  Come on down to the WHCA Health Club and come experience some the innovative and challenging fitness classes that they have to offer.  Meet the awesome team of professional trainers and instructors that will ensure you can reach your goals!

Want to register for any of the classes?  Contact the Health Club at 403.283.0464

August Health Club Promotion

The West Hillhurst Community Association Health Club is happy to announce the August promotion.  Reach your fitness goals while trying out some new workouts and techniques… and the best part, you get to save!  See August’s promotion below!

Looking for more information about this promotion?  Contact the Health Club @ 403.283.0464 ext 1.

NO WHCA MEMBER FREE SKATE IN AUGUST

PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE WILL BE NO FREE MEMBER SKATES AND STICKS/ PUCKS FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST.  THE ARENA ICE SURFACE WILL BE UNDER MAINTENANCE.  THE SCHEDULED ARENA WORK IS DURING AUGUST 3 – SEPTEMBER 10, 2018.  NEW SKATE TIMES WILL BE RELEASED IN EARLY SEPTEMBER IF THE WEST HILLHURST COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION STAYS WITHIN THE SCHEDULED CLOSURE.

 

WE ARE SORRY FOR THE INCONVENIENCE THAT THIS MAY CAUSE.  WE ARE WORKING TO ENSURE THE FACILITY PRESENTS QUALITY, SAFETY AND CONTINUED PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT.

If further information is required,  please contact 403.283.0464 or keep your eyes on social media and our website for updated information.

NEW July WHCA Health Club Classes

July is here and so are the new classes at the West Hillhurst Community Association’s Health Club!  Get your body moving with the unique classes offered for the month of June.  Check out the poster and schedule below!

For more information and to register, please contact 403.283.0464 ext 1

July Health Club Promotion at the WHCA

Summer is here and so are all the activities that go along with it!  Still working on that ‘summer body’?  Still try reaching your goal?  Ready to hit the lakes, rivers and all the outdoor activities?

The July Health Club promotion at the West Hillhurst Community Association is sure to help you attain your goals!  Get ready to work -it, sweat and burn those calories away!

Check out the promotion above.  For more information, contact the Health Club @ 403.28.0464 ext 1