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Depression

Ensuring Unhappiness

Dec 15th, 2011
by Rodney Olsen.
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Do you want to stay unhappy? Do you want to be dissatisfied with your life?

It’s unlikely … but your actions might suggest that you’re working towards sustained unhappiness. There may be thoughts or actions that are holding you back from a fuller, happier life. It’s possible that you’re setting yourself up for failure and you don’t even know it.

Royal Farris has quoted author, David Jeremiah, in his article List That Will Guarantee Unhappiness.

Here are just four of the ten things that they suggest can rob you of a joyful, happy life.

  • Make little things bother you; don’t just let them, make them.
  • Get yourself a good worry–one about which you cannot do anything but worry.
  • Be right, always right, perfectly right all the time. Be the only one who is right and be rigid about your rightness.
  • Take personally, with a chip on your shoulder, everything that happens to you that you don’t like.

Are you sabotaging your own happiness? Why not read the rest of Royal’s article and then make some purposeful goals for a truly happy new year.

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R U OK?

Sep 15th, 2011
by Rodney Olsen.
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Losing someone to suicide is such a devastating experience. There’s no chance to talk things through and work towards a solution. It’s an event that fills the rest of your life with so many ‘what if’ questions.

It’s heart breaking to think that some people believe that death by their own hand is a better alternative than continuing to live.

R U OK? is doing something about the tragedy of suicide. They believe that something as simple as a conversation can make a world of difference. That means that you and I can do something that may save someone’s life.

R U OK? is an independent, not-for-profit organisation whose purpose is to provide national focus and leadership on suicide prevention by empowering Australians to have open and honest conversations and stay connected with people in their lives.

More than 2,100 Australians suicide each year and men are around four times more likely to die by suicide than females. For each person that dies in this way, another 30 attempt to end their life (Lifeline).

R U OK? aims to inspire all Australians to help reduce our suicide rate by reaching out and making contact with others.

Most people don’t openly share their feelings, particularly when they’re struggling so don’t wait for a sign and trust your instincts. A conversation could change a life.

The best thing we can all do is regularly ask the people we care about: “Are you OK?” regardless of whether they are at risk because connection is good for us all.

Today has been named R U OK?Day. It’s a day that reminds us to stay connected to those around us and to make sure that those we love are doing OK in the journey of life.

Thursday 15 September, 2011 is R U OK?Day. It’s a national day of action which aims to prevent suicide by encouraging Australians to connect with someone they care about and help stop little problems turning into big ones.

On that day we want everyone across the country, from all backgrounds and walks of life, to ask family, friends and colleagues: “Are you OK?”.

Staying connected with others is crucial to our general health and wellbeing. Feeling isolated or hopeless can contribute to depression and other mental illnesses, which can ultimately result in suicide. Regular, meaningful conversations can protect those we know and love.

It’s so simple. In the time it takes to have a coffee, you can start a conversation that could change a life.

While R U OK?Day is an Australian initiative, suicide is a world wide tragedy. Who will you reconnect with today? Who needs you to ask if they’re OK today?

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Overcoming the Black Dog

Oct 5th, 2010
by Rodney Olsen.
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They call it the black dog. It’s an all consuming illness that drains us of our energy and joy, and magnifies despair.

It’s estimated that 1 in 10 people will experience depression during their lifetime.

While facing depression himself, Darren Speers found that there was a real need for a simple and clear guide to the illness. Drawing on personal experience and a degree in psychology, Darren has written Called to Hope, a book that looks at the symptoms and causes of depression, as well as the many treatments available.

Darren Speers has had depression (chronic dysthymia) since he was 21 years old. Since then, he has earned degrees in psychology and theology, and has worked as a gardener, factory hand, desk monkey, sales consultant, and freelance writer and editor.

When not writing, he tries to improve his knowledge of Greek and Hebrew, although he has some incompetency in German, can order a pizza in Latin, and inform speakers of French that he is a potato. For exercise he enjoys dancing, particularly to swing and blues music.

Earlier this year I spoke to Darren on 98.5 Sonshine FM. You can hear our discussion on depression and the writing of his book by clicking the play button on the audio player at the bottom of this post.

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R U OK?

Nov 27th, 2009
by Rodney Olsen.
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RUOK.jpgLosing someone to suicide is such a devastating experience. There’s no chance to talk things through and work towards a solution. It’s an event that fills the rest of your life with so many ‘what if’ questions.

It’s heart breaking to think that some people believe that death by their own hand is a better alternative than continuing to live.

R U OK? is doing something about the tragedy of suicide. They believe that something as simple as a conversation can make a world of difference. That means that you and I can do something that may save someone’s life.

R U OK? is an organisation committed to the prevention of suicide. We want to inspire all Australians to recognise they can make an immediate impact on our country’s shockingly high suicide rate by simply connecting with their friends, colleagues and loved ones. A lack of connection is a major contributing cause of many social issues, particularly suicide.

Suicide claims the lives of more Australians each year than the road toll – over 2000 people every year (Source: ABS 2007 statistics). It is the biggest killer of men and women 15-35 years old. For every person who takes their own life, it is estimated that up to 10 people make an attempt. That means each year approximately 20,000 people are directly affected.

This Sunday has been named R U OK?Day. It’s a day that reminds us to stay connected to those around us and to make sure that those we love are doing OK in the journey of life.

R U OK?Day will be held on November 29th, 2009. It is an annual national day of action that aims to get Australians, right across the entire spectrum of society, connecting with friends and loved ones, by reaching out to anyone doing it tough and simply asking: “Are you ok?”

Why start a conversation? Research shows talking about suicide with someone at risk actually reduces the chances of them taking their life. It is the one thing we can all do to make a real difference. R U OK?Day is about prevention, preventing little problems turning into big problems. So it is not just about asking those at immediate risk.

Connection is a crucial part of general health and well being to help in coping with issues such as stressful life events, mental health problems, relationship breakdowns and bereavement.

While R U OK?Day is an Australian initiative, suicide is a world wide tragedy. Who will you reconnect with today? Who needs you to ask if they’re OK today?

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