Health Is Vital

Health is taken for granted, until you can't any more. In this blog I hope to put down on paper some of the articles I come across and want to remember, about health. I will be personalizing these articles to apply to me. I am diabetic, over weight, have high blood pressure and tinnitus, so these are the things you will find here. I will include nutrition, exercise, and holistic health, and many other ideas. I work in the health profession, particularly mental health, and have an interest in suicide prevention; so these topics will also be covered in this blog. Please, if you are suffering reach out. Our county health and crisis line is 1-855-278-4204.

Sunday, May 29, 2016

**Military Veterans: 22 Suicides a Day

When I was in Port Orchard, Washington, a grabbed a copy of the paper Northwest Navy Life at the restaurant we visited.  In its pages it had an article about people doing 22 pushups on the 22nd of the month at the local Navy hospital, to bring awareness to the 22 veterans who are committing suicide every day.  The article sparked awareness in my brain.  It also mentioned that on a recent survey fourteen percent of veterans reports having suicidal thoughts.  I was unclear if this was at any given time, or over the past few months or what.  However, still the truth is that veterans are committing suicide at an alarming rate.  The article also points out that too many suicides take place among active duty personnel as well.
The article further gives a task for those who may know someone who is depressed.  The call it ACTs of Kindness.  Using the acronym ACT Ask - someone if they are thinking of suicide.  Care - listen, offer hope, and not be judgmental.  Treat - don't leave a suicidal person alone and get assistance.  Other resources include, Nation Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-TALK.  The Navy also offers this website for ideas.