September 10, 2018 is National Suicide Prevention Day 

The National Alliance on Mental Health states that, “each year more than 34,000 individuals take their own life, leaving behind thousands of friends and family members to navigate the tragedy of their loss. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death among adults in the U.S. and the 3rd leading cause of death among adolescents” (NAMI).

A few ways we can partake in National Suicide Prevention Day are by being aware of possible warning signs and risks, what resources are available, and by engaging in activities to raise awareness about suicide.

Potential Warning Signs in Behavior:

• Withdrawal from social settings or gatherings  
• Increased use of substances (drugs, alcohol)
• Reckless or unusual behavior
• Threats or comments about death, including speaking or writing about it

Potential Risks: 

• Family history of suicide
• History of trauma or abuse
• A recent loss or tragedy
• Substance abuse

See more risks and warning signs to look for from NAMI by clicking here.

Suggested Activities for Raising Awareness of Suicide:

• Light A Candle Near a Window at 8:00 PM in remembrance of lost ones
• Cycle Around The Globe to raise awareness and funds for research

See other activities and volunteer opportunities here at the NAMI website.

If you or someone you know may be struggling with thoughts of suicide or depression, call The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or text HOME to 741741 for 24/7 Crisis Counseling.

If you’d like to talk to one of our counselors, call our office at 407-900-8633 to setup an appointment.

Written by Kelsey Noonan, Patient Care Coordinator at Agape Therapy Institute.

#TransformationTuesday #WaybackWednesday #ThrowbackThursday #FacetoFaceFriday

By Iliana Bianca Torres, MS, LMHC at Agape Therapy Institute

It’s funny with the advent of social media that we have these named days of the week.  My personal favorite is #TacoTuesday, but it got me thinking.   Do we need a specific day of the week to make certain topics a focus?  I think not. But taking from the named days of the week I want to focus on #TransformationTuesday.

It means different things to different people.  Some have pulled themselves up from their boot straps and made their lives completely different, others learned to take control of their lives and learn to live better, while others make physical, relational, or emotional transformations.

In the scope of complete transparency, #TransformationTuesday means a lot to me because of the transformations I have made in my own life.  I understand what it means to live as a post bariatric surgical patient and all the physical, mental, and emotional changes that come with it.  How completely alone you feel in your pain and the shame you feel for having “let yourself go” to the point where you need surgical intervention.  Everyone’s reasoning for bariatric surgery may be different, however, the journey remains similar for us all. It is a special club that unfortunately you pay admission for with your health.

The process of getting approved for the surgery comes with its own struggles as well as preparing for it.  Going through the actual surgery and then allowing yourself to ask for help during the healing process can be difficult for some.  The recovery would be nearly impossible for even the strongest of people to go through alone. You may also find that what was already within you becomes amplified through this journey, meaning unresolved issues or emotions you may have thought you had a handle on suddenly resurface.  It may bring up things you didn’t even realize you needed to deal with until you got real with yourself about your health, because getting real with yourself about your health forces you to become real with yourself about the role you played in the decline of your own health.

It is grueling to think about.  I can remember the years of research I did on the different types of surgeries, their outcomes, and on the surgeons themselves.   But to do that I first had to admit that I was no longer in control of my own health and needed medical intervention. In retrospect I should have sought counseling during this time because you become very vulnerable through this entire process and having a mental health professional to walk me through this process would have been so beneficial.  Are you struggling with your health and considering bariatric surgery? Or maybe you have already gone through the surgery and find yourself struggling through the healing process. Is the weight of it all too much too bare? Are you looking for someone who can walk you through the process from a been there done that perspective? There is a safe place for you to work through these issues at Agape Therapy Institute.

About Iliana Torres, MS, LMHC

Iliana Torres, MS is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor at Agape Therapy Institute.  She works with children, adolescents and adults in individual, couples and family counseling.  She works with a wide array of issues that people present with in counseling (not just those that concern weight and eating), including substance abuse and addiction, anxiety, depression, OCD, identity, trauma, and more.  To book an appointment with her, call our office at (407) 900-8633 or go online to agape.clientsecure.me to self schedule.

Hi There!

I'm sharing this because it's too good not to.  I absolutely love Rick Hanson - he's one of my favorites!  He blends mindfulness, neuroscience and practicality so seamlessly.  So, I'm super excited to announce that he's coming out with a new book!  To preorder your copy of Resilient: How To Grow An Unshakable Core of Calm, Strength, and Happiness click here.  (By the way, I'm not affiliated with him - this is just a genuine wanting to share a great resource.)  

Besides that, though, I also wanted to share his recent blog post on 3 Reasons to Be for Yourself.  Client "read more" below to continue reading.

Enjoy!

-Susan Deane, LMHC, LMFT

To Book An Appointment with Susan: https://agape.clientsecure.me 

3 Reasons to Be for Yourself by Rick Hanson, PhD When we treat others with respect and caring, the best in them usually comes out. Much the same would happen if we could treat ourselves the same way. Yet most of us are a better friend to others than we are to ourselves. We care about their pain, see positive qualities in them, and treat them fairly and kindly. But what kind of friend are you to yourself? Many people are tough on themselves, critical, second-guessing and self-doubting, tearing down rather than building up. Imagine treating yourself like you would a friend. You'd be encouraging, warm, and sympathetic, and you'd help yourself heal and grow. Think about what a typical day would be like if you were on your own side. What would it feel like to appreciate your good intentions and good heart, and be less self-critical? Why It's Good to Be Good to Yourself It helps to understand the reasons why it's both fair and important to be on your own side. Otherwise, beliefs like these can take over: "It's selfish to think about what you want." "You don't deserve love." "Deep down you're bad." "You'll fail if you dream bigger dreams." First, there's the general principle that we should treat people with decency and compassion. Well, "people" includes the person who wears your nametag. The Golden Rule is a two-way street: we should do unto ourselves as we do unto others. Second, the more influence we have over someone, the more responsibility we have to treat them well. For example, surgeons have great power over their patients, so they have a great duty to be careful when they operate on them. Who's the one person you can affect the most? It's yourself, both you in this moment and your future self: the person you will be in the next minute, week, or year. If you think of yourself as someone to whom you have a duty of care and kindness, what might change in how you talk to yourself, and in how you go about your day?     Third, being good to yourself is good for others. When people increase their own well-being, they usually become more patient, cooperative, and caring in their relationships.     Think about how it would benefit others if you felt less stressed, worried, or irritated, and more peaceful, contented, and loving. You can take practical steps to help yourself really believe that it's good to treat yourself with respect and compassion. You could write down simple statements – such as "I am on my own side" or "I'm taking a stand for myself" or "I matter, too" – and read them aloud to yourself or put them somewhere you'll see each day. You could imagine telling someone why you are going to take better care of your own needs. Or imagine a friend, a mentor, or even your fairy godmother telling you to be on your own side – and let them talk you into it!