By Ann Walsh, B.Sc(Hons) Psychology M.B.P.S.
When looking at any attempt to prevent suicide it should be understood that individuals need the psychological tools to cope with difficult life events, to ensure innate needs are being met. A recent UK study shows that it is not the depth of depression that predicts suicide but the number of emotional needs not being met in a person’s life[1].A depressive state of mind is contingent with strong emotional arousal, which prevents rational and logical judgement. Individuals can simply get ’locked’ into a depressive state. Excessive stress and depression are precursors to psychotic breakdown; therefore the importance of educating people regarding how they can handle stress levels and ensuring that their essential needs are met should not be underestimated.[2]
Studies have shown that both suicide and depression rates are increasing most noticeably among the young.[3] Rate of depression increase with westernisation and the World Health Organisation estimates that depression will be second only to ischemic heart disease as a cause of injury and disease by the year 2020.[4] It should also be noted that depression is known to have a knock on effect on families[5]
The best approach to psychological health is the prevention of mental illness, this can be done by educating with regard to the physical and psychological needs that have kept in balance in order to remain psychologically healthy or indeed to regain psychological health. As well as ensuring that these needs are met, individuals need to be aware of the innate resources we have at our disposal and how, if used properly, mental health is assured.
If a person is in psychological distress it should be noted that some psychotherapeutic approaches may do more harm than good, or best, not help at all.[6] [7] While SSRI’s are deprived for depression, it should be noted that such drugs have been linked to suicidal and violent behaviour.[8] Furthermore, it has been recommended that those drugs not be prescribed to those under 20, as frontal lobe connections are not fully inplace until then.[9] It is interesting to note that in 5 year follow-up studies of people who had a schizophrenic episode, in third world countries 64% made a full recovery and 12% do fairly well when no drug treatment is involved. In the developed world, using drug treatment, only 18% were doing well after five years, 17% faitly well and 65% had poor outcomes. [10] [11] [12] [13] [14]
Individuals need a brief solution focussed approach that enables them to engage in life again, or maybe properly for the first time. If an individual receives the correct psychological interventions mental health can be restored rapidly. Increasing in the the UK and more recently in Ireland, psychiatrists, psychologists, general practitioners, occupational therapists and other health care professionals are recognising this and have looked towards psychological intervention that uses a clear understanding of what it is to be a human being and what it takes to be psychologically healthy or t prevent mental illness. This model of mental health incorporates the most up to date research in psychology taking a bio/psycho/social approach to mental health which goes beyond any other psychological interventions to date, namely the Human Givens approach.
It should be noted that a psychologically healthy population also means a more physically healthy population. There is increasing evidence of the impact of stress on physical health. In one study depression was found to be a more accurate predictor of heart problems than severity of artery damage, cigarette smoking or high cholesterol level.[15] Depression has also been linked to cancer, both as a precursor and a predictor of recovery.[16] Therefore, for both the individual and society as a whole, psychological health has far reaching implications.
A civilisation is judged on how it treats its most vulnerable and those who do not have the necessary coping mechanism to survive in an ever changing world, along with their families, are surely amongst the most vulnerable.
[1] Fairweather, A.k., Anstey, K.J Rodgers, Butterworth, P. (2006) Factors distinguishing suicide attempts from suicide ideators in a community sample: social issues and physical health problems, Psychological Medicine, 36, 1235-1245 http://tinurl.com.rvj2s
[2] Griffin, J. & Tyrell, I. (2003) Human Givens, a new approach to emotional health and clear thinking, HG Publishing, Chalvington.
[3] Lane,R.E. (2000) The Loss of Happiness in Market Democracies, Yale University Press cited in ‘Human Givens, a new approach to emotional health and clear thinking’
[4] Mc Grath, E. et al (1990) Women and Depression. American Psychological Association, cited in ‘Human Givens, a new approach to emotional health and clear thinking’.
[5] Yapko, M.D. (1999) Hand-me-down-blues, how to stop depression spreading in families, cited in ‘Human Givens, a new approach to emotional health and clear thinking,’
[6] Donnick,E.(1998) Madness on the Couch, Simon & Schuster
[7] Webster,R. (1995) Why Freud was wrong, cited in Human Givens, a new approach to emotional health and clear thinking,’
[8] Glenmullen, J. (2000) Prozac Backlash: Overcoming the dangers of Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil and other antidepressants with safe, effective alternatives, Simon & Schuster, cited in’ Human Givens, a new approach to emotional health and clear thinking,’
[9] Robertson I. (1999) Mind Sculpture, Bantam Press.
[10] Sartorisu, N. et al (1986) Early manifestations and first contact incidence of schizophrenia in different cultures, Psychological Medicine, 16 909-928.
[11] Torrey, F. (1987) Prevalence studies in schizophrenia, British Journal of Psychiatry, 150, 598-608
[12] Leff, J. The International Study of Schizophrenia: Five Year Follow up, Psychological Medicine, 22 131-145 (1992)
[13] Jablensky, A. Schizophrenia: Manifestations, Incidence and Course in Different Cultures, a World Health Organisation ten country study, Psychological Medicine Supplement 20 (1992) 1-95.
[14] Whittaker, R. (2002) Mad in America, Bad science, bad medicine and the enduring mistreatment of the mentally ill. Perseus Publishing
[15] Carney R. et al (1988) Major depressive disorder predicts cardiac events in patients with coronary heart disease. Psychomatic Medicine, 50, 627-33 cited in ‘Human Givens, a new approach to emotional health and clear thinking’.
[16] Martin P. (1997) The Sickening Mind, Brain, Behaviour, Immunity & Disease, Harper Perennial, London
