In Tough Economic Times, Suicide is Not the Answer Says Dr. J. Kip Matthews
According to a study just published in the December 2008 issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, the U.S. suicide rate climbed steadily between the years 1999 and 2005. The American Association of Suicidology reports that during periods of economic crises, the suicide rate will typically rise. With our declining economic situation in the United States, we can anticipate that this rate will continue to escalate.
Athens, GA, October 29, 2008 --(PR.com)-- According to a study just published in the December 2008 issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, the U.S. suicide rate climbed steadily between the years 1999 and 2005. In 2005, the suicide rate among all Americans had climbed to 11 per 100,000 people. The researchers found that most of this increase was due to the significant rise in suicides among people aged 40-64.
The American Association of Suicidology reports that during periods of economic crises, the suicide rate will typically rise. With our declining economic situation in the United States, we can anticipate that this rate will continue to escalate. Why does this happen?
This month, the American Psychological Association released a survey showing that 8 out of 10 Americans are worried about money and the economy. In addition, close to half of the people surveyed reported that they are increasingly stressed about their ability to provide for their family’s basic needs. In spite of the fact that 81% of the people believe they are managing their stress well, the public is reporting higher levels of stress. This finding suggests that most people are not effectively coping with the stressors in their life.
Dr. Kip Matthews, a psychologist and co-founder of AK Counseling & Consulting states that “during tough economic times, many people begin to experience chronic stress. We become concerned about how to put food on the table or about the security of our job. If left unchecked, feelings of hopelessness and helplessness may begin to emerge.”
“Exposing yourself to constant doom-and-gloom news about the stock market can lead one to feel like they cannot do anything to change matters and then they become overwhelmed,” notes Dr. Angela Londoño-McConnell, psychologist and Public Education Campaign coordinator for the Georgia Psychological Association. “We often turn to unhealthy coping strategies such as drinking, smoking, sleeping, and unhealthy eating.”
However, these strategies do not effectively change your life situation and the chronic stress may lead to feelings of depression and suicidal thoughts. “If someone feels like there is no other way out and that there are no resources available, suicide becomes a viable option,” Dr. Matthews observes. However, it does not have to be that way.
Dr. Matthews recommends the following strategy to help you feel much more empowered and in control if you are encountering heightened stress in your life.
TIMELY Coping
· T – Take a time-out. Before you do anything, pause and focus on what is happening in your life. This will allow you to avoid the trap of tunnel visioning which can occur during periods of stress.
· I – Identify Your stressors. What are the sources of stress that are causing you the most difficulty at the present time? Focus on the ones over which you have control.
· M – Make a plan. How are you going to attack the stressor, dealing with one at a time?
· E – Encourage healthy coping strategies. Put your time and energy into productive activities such as exercise, meditation, and yoga.
· L – Lean on others for help. Use your social support system to provide encouragement and support. Don’t be afraid to seek professional help from a psychologist if your life circumstance is quickly deteriorating.
· Y – Yield to those stressors over which you have no control. Learn to just “let it go.”
Through effective stress management, Dr. Matthews states that we will find the resilience and fortitude to persevere through the toughest of times, including economic crises.
J. Kip Matthews, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist in the State of Georgia and is Vice-President and Co-Founder of AK Counseling & Consulting, Inc. in Athens, GA. He is active in a number of professional organizations at the national, regional, and local levels. Most recently, he has been involved in the American Psychological Association’s Mind-Body Health Public Education Campaign. Dr. Matthews has offered programs on numerous topics including stress management, men's issues, relationship enhancement, and sport performance enhancement. His research has been presented at the American Psychological Association, the American College Personnel Association, and in a variety of other forums.
Dr. Matthews' professional interests include corporate/business consulting, mind/body health, career and life planning, sport and performance psychology, Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual concerns, mental health professional training and supervision, men's issues, and multiculturalism. He is currently credentialed by the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology.
Honors/Awards
· Dr. Matthews was recently named a Fellow of the Georgia Psychological Association in May 2008
· Dr. Matthews was the inaugural recipient of the Early Career Achievement Award presented by the Commission for Counseling and Psychological Services of the American College Personnel Association
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The American Association of Suicidology reports that during periods of economic crises, the suicide rate will typically rise. With our declining economic situation in the United States, we can anticipate that this rate will continue to escalate. Why does this happen?
This month, the American Psychological Association released a survey showing that 8 out of 10 Americans are worried about money and the economy. In addition, close to half of the people surveyed reported that they are increasingly stressed about their ability to provide for their family’s basic needs. In spite of the fact that 81% of the people believe they are managing their stress well, the public is reporting higher levels of stress. This finding suggests that most people are not effectively coping with the stressors in their life.
Dr. Kip Matthews, a psychologist and co-founder of AK Counseling & Consulting states that “during tough economic times, many people begin to experience chronic stress. We become concerned about how to put food on the table or about the security of our job. If left unchecked, feelings of hopelessness and helplessness may begin to emerge.”
“Exposing yourself to constant doom-and-gloom news about the stock market can lead one to feel like they cannot do anything to change matters and then they become overwhelmed,” notes Dr. Angela Londoño-McConnell, psychologist and Public Education Campaign coordinator for the Georgia Psychological Association. “We often turn to unhealthy coping strategies such as drinking, smoking, sleeping, and unhealthy eating.”
However, these strategies do not effectively change your life situation and the chronic stress may lead to feelings of depression and suicidal thoughts. “If someone feels like there is no other way out and that there are no resources available, suicide becomes a viable option,” Dr. Matthews observes. However, it does not have to be that way.
Dr. Matthews recommends the following strategy to help you feel much more empowered and in control if you are encountering heightened stress in your life.
TIMELY Coping
· T – Take a time-out. Before you do anything, pause and focus on what is happening in your life. This will allow you to avoid the trap of tunnel visioning which can occur during periods of stress.
· I – Identify Your stressors. What are the sources of stress that are causing you the most difficulty at the present time? Focus on the ones over which you have control.
· M – Make a plan. How are you going to attack the stressor, dealing with one at a time?
· E – Encourage healthy coping strategies. Put your time and energy into productive activities such as exercise, meditation, and yoga.
· L – Lean on others for help. Use your social support system to provide encouragement and support. Don’t be afraid to seek professional help from a psychologist if your life circumstance is quickly deteriorating.
· Y – Yield to those stressors over which you have no control. Learn to just “let it go.”
Through effective stress management, Dr. Matthews states that we will find the resilience and fortitude to persevere through the toughest of times, including economic crises.
J. Kip Matthews, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist in the State of Georgia and is Vice-President and Co-Founder of AK Counseling & Consulting, Inc. in Athens, GA. He is active in a number of professional organizations at the national, regional, and local levels. Most recently, he has been involved in the American Psychological Association’s Mind-Body Health Public Education Campaign. Dr. Matthews has offered programs on numerous topics including stress management, men's issues, relationship enhancement, and sport performance enhancement. His research has been presented at the American Psychological Association, the American College Personnel Association, and in a variety of other forums.
Dr. Matthews' professional interests include corporate/business consulting, mind/body health, career and life planning, sport and performance psychology, Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual concerns, mental health professional training and supervision, men's issues, and multiculturalism. He is currently credentialed by the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology.
Honors/Awards
· Dr. Matthews was recently named a Fellow of the Georgia Psychological Association in May 2008
· Dr. Matthews was the inaugural recipient of the Early Career Achievement Award presented by the Commission for Counseling and Psychological Services of the American College Personnel Association
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Contact
AK Counseling & Consulting, Inc.
Dr. J. Kip Matthews
706-613-5290
www.akcconline.com
Dr. J. Kip Matthews
706-613-5290
www.akcconline.com
Contact
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