Army sees sharp rise in suicide rate

In an earlier blog entry, I referenced an article about the reported increase in drug abuse amongst military members. In today's link, you'll find a report of the increase in the incidence of suicides in military personnel.

• To what does the military attribute the increase in military suicides?
• Are all suicides occuring in battlefield assignments?
• What are some of the many steps the military is taking to respond to the problem?
• How might military culture contribute to the problem of suicidal soldiers?
• How could the human services worker help this population?

Here's a link to the article in the LA Times.com...

Army sees sharp rise in suicide rate
http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-na-army-suicides30-2009jan30,0,6065061.story

Keep up the studies, we need you in this field more now than ever.
-Jeff
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ER doc sees economy sickness

One of the invisible costs of an economic reccession is the impact financial worries place upon one's mental health. As worry increases, it can manifest itself with symptoms of anxiety, panic attacks and even depression.
The article of interest takes the view of this through the perspective of an emergency room physician.

• How widespread is the incidence of stress due to the economy?
• What symptoms of stress can mirror that of a medical condition?
• What two types of unusual advice does the physician give his stressed patients?
• How is the economy impacting you or those close to you?
• How do men and women experience economic stress differently, according to the APA survey?

Here's a link to the article in the OC Register...

ER doc sees economy sickness
http://healthyliving.freedomblogging.com/2008/10/23/er-doc-sees-economy-sickness/300/

And a link to the APA survey referenced in the OC Register article:

APA POLL FINDS WOMEN BEAR BRUNT OF NATION'S STRESS, FINANCIAL DOWNTURN
http://www.apa.org/releases/women-stress1008.html

It appears that this will be a time when we will all benefit from our skills of resilience.
-Jeff
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Happiness is contagious in social networks

Can a friend of a friend of a friend (that is, by three degrees of separation) affect how happy you are? According to the research reported in this article, it is quite possible, and increases with the level of happiness of those closer to you.

• Which is more contagious and lasts longer... happiness or unhappiness?
• What other health issues were being studied using the similar methodology?
• Have you noticed the "contagion level" of certain emotions when socializing? Have you ever left a social event or quit an online group because the emotional temperature didn't match your own?
• How purposeful would you say you are in seeking out social networks that match your emotional life?
• What is your reaction to the concept that your own mood has far-reaching effects to others you may not even know?
  

Here's a link to the article...

Happiness is contagious in social networks
http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/12/05/happiness.social.network/index.html

It appears that there's new proof that "birds of a feather flock together"!
-Jeff
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Kids Konnected offers sense of belonging

It is said "necessity is the mother of invention." That is, we create things to fill a void and fulfill a need.
This article talks about a self-help group created by a teenager who wanted to connect with other teens going through the same predicament. The group has survived and grown over several years.

• What is the focus of the group?
• What need does this fulfill for its' participants? Why do you imagine there was a void previously?
• What are the potential benefits of this group beyond what a counselor can provide?
• What 'expertise' have you possibly developed because of something you encountered or endured?
  

Here's the link to the article in the OC Register...

Kids Konnected offers sense of belonging
http://headlines.ocregister.com/news/kids_7424___article.html/konnected_cummings.html

and a related article...

Kids Konnected links children of cancer patients to their peers
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/kids-snell-says-2235020-children-cancer

Look for the everyday ways in which you can help your community.
-Jeff
>>> please report broken links to the professor
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