Holidays can be difficult for people with depression, help is available

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The holidays can be a trying time for people struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts.

“Soon after coming back from Iraq I started having issues. Just not knowing how to cope with those or what to do with them just led me to a place of hopelessness and was facing suicide,” said Philip Parsons, primary care social worker at the Bowling Green Veterans Affairs Clinic.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, in 2017, suicide was the second leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 10 and 34.

But local professionals encourage people who are struggling to get help.

Statistics from the CDC show that one out of six high school students seriously consider suicide and one in 12 actually attempt to end their lives.

“I think with the increase in awareness and the increase in services available, and the increase in talking about it and not letting it be something that is a stigma, I feel like teens and young adults are more willing to talk about it and share their experiences and try to get help,” said Katie Hopper, licensed professional clinical counselor at Lifeskills in Warren County.

The road to recovery is never easy but it’s worth every step.

“The biggest thing for me was being able to share my story and finding people that I could trust that were willing to listen. Each time I was able to share, I slowly empowered myself and was able to re-write my whole story,” said Parsons.

Lifeskills and other mental health professionals in south-central Kentucky have resources to help you along the journey.

There is help available for all ages 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

You can call the suicide hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or get in touch with another mental health professional in the area.