If You're Suffering from Depression, Clark County Community Services Can Help
Thursday, June 28th, 2018 -- 10:47 AM
-Recently, the suicides by designer Kate Spade and celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain have brought the discussion of depression and suicide to the forefront of American’s minds.Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S. Almost 45,000 Americans die by suicide each year and it costs the U.S. $69 billion annually. I spoke with employees of Community Services in Clark County. Community Services offers a multitude of services to those who may be suffering from depression, anxiety and other issues. I spoke with Ann Thompson, the Behavioral Health Service Manager, Jeremiah Bogdonovich, the Emergency Mental Health Crisis Worker, and Susan Feist, the Outpatient Services Manager.
Here’s my full interview with Ann, Jeremiah and Susan:
Q: "Are there certain factors that can lead a person to become depressed or even suicidal?"
Ann: "There are always certain factors. One, there's chemistry. So, sometimes even just knowing your family history, knowing there's been depression, can be a factor to pay attention to. But, if you're thinking about all the kinds of things going on right now. There's trauma that can definitely lead to some feeling depressed. Maybe they're living in a home with neglect or abuse. Those are kinda of the big red flags, but sometimes there natural chemical factors. The brain just isn't producing what it should and people can get depressed from that."
Q: "If someone is concerned that a friend or a loved one is suicidal, are there signs or red flags they could notice that could allow them to potentially help them?"
Ann: "I think if you're trying to pay attention, yeah, there are always some kind of symptoms. Sometimes, they're missed if you're not paying close attention. Sometimes people will become more isolated. If you can tell that different things are not being managed like they use to; daily functions are decreasing. Hygiene is usually a huge one for many. They're just not taking care of themselves like they use to. You'll see more avoidance. You'll see difficulty eating more or eating less. And they might end up just not sleeping the same rate that they use to or the same kind of pattern, which can alter or make a difference when it comes to mood."
"And as far as reaching out to them, I don't think there's anything wrong with directly asking someone what's going on. I would highly encourage it."
Q: "If someone does think a friend or loved one is suicidal, what can they do?"
Jeremiah: "The thing we would encourage people immediately to do would be to call the crisis line and reach out for some assistance. And our line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It's always answered by someone who can answer some questions. If there's ever a doubt, start with crisis line. You can also start with your primary care physician. That's another good place to reach out to and see what the recommendation is from them."
Ann: "It's always good to get support."
Q: "When it comes to some of these red flags, do you find there's a difference between men and women or is it the same across the board?"
Jeremiah: "It's the same across the board. Men, women, adults, children."
Ann: "It may change in how some may act, but the flags are still there."
Q: "Clark County Community Services is a wonderful resource for people to go to if they're seeking assistance. What kind of services are offered to help people?"
Susan: “We have the full range of mental health services here and substance abuse counseling as well. We have four full time therapist with another therapist starting that is going to be specifically based out of the schools. We have a phycologist who comes from another area to our clinic a half a day a week to do testing and evaluation. We have psychiatry services. Primarily by tele-health. He’s on the video screen and sees patients in our office here, but he’s at a different location. But we do have that available here one day a week in Neillsville and one day a week at our branch office in Owen. So, we have the full range of mental health and substance abuse services right here at Community Services, both at our main office in the courthouse from 8am-4:30pm, Monday-Friday and some hours at our branch office at the Clark County Rehabilitation and Living Center in Owen.”
“We also provide programs that support people in the community who may have a chronic and persistent mental illness and have needs that are not specific to coming in for clinic based services. That would be our Community Support Program, our Comprehensive Community Services, and…”
Ann: “We have outreach.”
Susan: “Outreach for individuals with needs in the community. And our agency does other services for people with developmental disabilities as well. But, primarily focus on the mental health programs.”
Q: “Now, if someone is experiencing an emergency where they feel they need to talk with someone immediately, because they’re having dark or suicidal thoughts, is there a service available they can access to do that?”
Jeremiah: “They should definitely call hour 24-hour crisis line. And that number is 1-800-863-3560. During the business day, the phone is answered by Community Services staff. In the evenings and non-business hours, we contract with an organization call Northwest Connections. We do also provide mobile crisis services in case somebody just can’t talk over the phone from 8am-4:30pm during the business day and then from 4:30pm-12:30am, 7 days a week, every day of the year, including holidays. So, they should definitely call the crisis line. If somebody is feeling suicidal or if somebody believes that another individual is suicidal, and they need emergency intervention immediately, definitely call 911. Get the Sheriff’s Department rolling or law enforcement rolling, so that immediate intervention can take place. The Sheriff’s Department and the crisis line staff work very closely together. Chances are you won’t see one without the other.”
Q: “Do you have any final thoughts? Anything we may not have touched on?”
Ann: “For people to know, depression and suicide, they are real. People do have times where things get rough and they feel like they have no hope. But there are places and people out there that are there to support them. And to not take it as damaged. Not to look at it like it’s damaged or there’s something wrong with them.”
Jeremiah: “If someone does need to reach out to 911 or law enforcement, and they end up having that intervention with law enforcement, they should really know that it’s not a criminal act at all. And law enforcement really switches gears and officers in our county, across the county, are really good at flipping that hat and saying okay, this is a situation where I’m helping versus enforcing the law.”
Ann: “Where safety becomes a priority.”
Jeremiah: “Right.”
If you’re suffering from depression or have suicidal thoughts, please reach out to Clark County Community Services at 715-743-3400.
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.