Tim Clinton defines suicide as the “tragic and lethal culmination of a psychological process that results from unresolved events that create depression and hopelessness.” Suicide occurs once one has come to the ‘end of their rope,’ ‘lost all hope,’ and “cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel!’ The thought of suicide occurs from the depths of despair, and is an effort to relieve themselves of pain. I’ve looked in the face of suicide for many years, as a clinician.

Upon beginning my career as a mental health counselor. I provided counseling for children, adolescents, and adults that were experiencing a psychiatric crisis. These crises many times included thoughts of death and dying, urges to harm themselves, or have deep feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness. My role was to assess their level of risk and determine their need for intensive levels of treatment and care. The pain for many was indescribable, and had become to difficult to continue to bear. Gary P. Stewart writes “the problem is not that such despairing people want to die; it is that they do not know how to live.”

Why is Discussing Suicide Important?

1. According to the Center for Disease Control suicide is now one of the 10 leading causes of death.
2. The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that suicide is the third leading cause of death for adolescents age 15 to 19 years old.
3. According to Psychology Today more than 3,000 people die by suicide each day.
4. Again the CDC, reports that in 2015 44,000 committed suicide, and the highest number of suicides in the U.S. in 2015 occurred among people ages 45 to 54.

The reason one may commit suicide can never truly be explained, because the loved one is not here to provide that valuable and needed insight and/or understanding. Even if they left a note or message it still never truly absolves one of the distress of the loss. Yet, some rationales can include unfilled hopes or desire and unexpected and significant life changes that include:

• Bankruptcy
• Job loss
• Divorce or death of a spouse
• Disability
• Foreclosure
• Physical illness
• Sudden loss or significant life change
• Feelings of loneliness or being misunderstood

What Risk, Signs, and Symptoms Should I Look For?

• History of depression marked by significant levels of isolation/withdrawal, shift from personal interest, hopelessness, and worthless.
• An increase in substance use/abuse.
• The report of seeing and hearing things that are not there.
• Increase in talk, writings, or drawings of death or dying.
• Giving away of important, sentimental, or valuable items with no understandable rationale.

How to Help?

1. Listen. Do not attempt fix the person or say the problem they are experiencing is not that big of a deal. It is a big deal! It is the pain they are experiencing. IT IS IMPORTANT TO THEM. Your loved one wants to be heard, validated, and understood.
2. Learn to Sit in Discomfort. Often times we desire to fix or find a solution to a problem. When what is really needed is your presence and comfort. It is okay to not know what to do. Be there and be present! Let them know you will not leave them alone.
3. Link to Professional Support. Help your love one identify profession support via a local hospital to receive a crisis assessment to determine their level of risk. Thereafter, they will be connected to the necessary treatment of care at a hospital for observation and care, care at a residential setting, and/or individual and group therapy to learn skills to manage their thoughts and feelings.

Special Note:
If you are the one feeling the great sense of hopelessness and despair do not allow the barriers of stigma, shame, and disappointment get in the way of seeking support and professional help!

As a clinician it is my desire is to help you learn how to handle unfulfilled hopes, desires, expectation, and disappointments in life. It is important to understand that “hope deferred make the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life” according to Proverbs 13:12 ESV. It may be important to grieve the expected timeline for certain. This is not the actual hope, desire, or dream but the time we had the expectation. Lastly, it is important to extend to yourself self-love, compassion, and forgive yourself of regrets. You are WORTHY!

 Dealing With Anxiety
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What is anxiety?
Anxiety in general terms is an emotional state in which an an individual may feel worried and/or nervous. Anxiety is more severe than being concerned. Often affected individuals may experience intense levels of uneasiness, unrest, and fear. The feeling can be disruptive to their emotional peace and overall function by interfering with the ability to sleep, concentrate and be productive.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of anxiety, inclusive of some factors stated above, can be intense worry regarding “something bad happening.” The “something bad” can oftentimes have no foundation or evidence to support the fear. Sometimes there is evidence. However, the emotional response can be a mismatch given the possible identifiable trigger. Again, the symptoms can include feelings of worry, nervousness, fear, uneasiness, unrest, ruminating/obsessive thoughts, insomnia, and poor concentration. Sometimes anxiety can be externally marked by an irritable, agitated, and edgy mood. An individual who is snippy and snappy, may not be rude and mean, they could be anxious. Physical symptoms of anxiety can include “butterflies in the stomach,” heart palpitations, tense muscles, and teeth grinding. We are a three-part being: we are a spirit, with a soul, that lives in a physical body. Thus, we can carry these symptoms within our triune being.
How is anxiety treated?
I specialize in treating clients with anxiety, depression, and mood disorders. I typically begin exploring with clients in identifying triggers to their anxiety. What are some scenarios, settings, people that may provoke the emotional response of anxiety? Once we can identify concrete triggers, we work on skills to properly manage their symptoms in those various situations. If not, we began to explore cognitive distortions that contribute to anxiety. I identify as a clinician that integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with Christian Principles and Biblical Scripture.  Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on challenging negative patterns of thinking, that shape the way we feel about ourselves and our world, and thus behave. If we can restructure the thoughts, we can restructure our living, and thus reduce the debilitating symptoms and behaviors of anxiety and other disorders. This is soul work! The soul is where we think, feel, and decide with our will. Additionally, I coach and train my client in various anxiety reduction skills that include mindfulness/grounding activities, deep breathing exercises, flex exercises, calming prayers, listening prayer, and scripture to combat spiritual untruths.


What causes anxiety?
Research shows several causes for anxiety. Chemical factors indicate that an imbalance of chemical neurotransmitters within the brain can create an inability to properly process scenarios, and thus cause anxiety. While biological factors indicate that a family history of anxiety can create a predisposition to experience the symptoms and behaviors. Anxiety can also be a learned behavior, meaning that growing up in some environments one learns how mom or dad managed their stressors. If mom, dad, or a primary caregiver modeled anxiety or the management of their stressor created a tense environment, one may have a higher than likelihood to live out anxiety. It can be a combination of chemical, biological, and environment/learned behavior. Additionally, anxiety can come in the form of trauma that breakdowns the soul’s ability to withstand stressors.
Does anxiety mean you are a weak Christian? 
Anxiety does not mean one is a week Christian. We live in a fallen world. We have fractured and wounded souls and we are in the ever-perfecting state of sanctification. Due to a propensity toward certain conditions (anxiety, depression, significant mood shift) we are vulnerable. So the goal is to participate with the Holy Spirit in the renewal process, be involved in discipleship, and receive the grace that Jesus established through the cross. One is not weak because they did not practice certain spiritual disciplines but, one is made strong by Christ (because when we feel weak, His strength is made perfect in us!) So, it is a glorious thing!!!

I am a trained professional counselor with many years of experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and their families. I have facilitated multiple family groups to strengthen families in addressing problem behaviors in children. I have worked with couples who have been scared by the pains of infidelity, and women hurt by the wound of intimate partner violence. And, what I have learned with working with these couples and families is the need for Six C’s for Successful Marriages.

The Six C’s for Successful Marriages are:

1. Confidence
   
2. Communication
   
3. Cooperation or Collaboration
   
4. Compromise
   
5. Commitment
   
6. Christ
   

Confidence
Confidence is defined as the the feeling or belief that one can rely on someone or something with firm trust. It takes having confidence in your spouse for a successful marriage. Confidence is built during the dating phase by getting to know the individual’s character and displayed by their actions. When confidence or trust is broken, time needs to be given so it can be rebuilt, brick by brick. Both parties need to be willing to restore confidence through demonstration, renewed perspective, willingness to acknowledge efforts, and forgiveness.


Communication
Communication is the process of sharing and exchanging information. Communication can simply be applied to sharing plans for the day. But, most importantly, sharing one's thoughts, feelings, and concerns regarding different matters. Confidence is built through communication. The style of communication is also important. Individuals need to engage in assertive and respectful communication. You know the old adage “it’s not what you say, it’s how you say it!”


Cooperation
Cooperation or collaboration is the process of functioning as a team and in partnership. Cooperation is working together for a shared, common, and mutual benefit. Cooperation is about winning together. It is the total opposite of competition where there are opponents seeking to win or accomplish something for selfish gain. It’s about being better together!


Compromise
Compromise, similar to cooperation, within marriage is having the willingness to resolve conflict or a dispute by making individual concessions. It is learning and having the willingness to free yourself from being right. It is learning the art of communication and negotiation. Not to get your way, but to consider the points and feelings of your spouse regarding a matter. It requires having an empathetic stance to understand and share in spouse's experience. It must be understood that it is not in the best interest of the relationship for one party to always be right and/or in control.


Commitment
Commitment is the the cornerstone of the covenant of marriage. It is being dedicated and devoted to your spouse unconditionally. It requires making an allegiance to honor Christ in your marriage despite hardship, trial, or tribulation. Commitment is living out the agreement pledge during the vow exchange: “to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part." This was not just an exchange of mere words, but requires action.


Christ
You need the Chief Cornerstone in your marriage. Each factor discussed (confidence, communication, cooperation, compromise, and commitment) must be rooted and aligned with Christ. We must have confidence in Christ, and trust the Christ in our spouse. We must communicate in a honorable fashion as we exhibit Christ. We must demonstrate holy cooperation and compromise to demonstrate the love of Christ. And, we must remain committed despite various circumstances, to glorify Christ. 


Our marriages in the earth are to represent the marriage supper of the Lamb. It will be the marriage of Christ and the Church. This is not a demand for perfect marriage, but an encouragement for healthy and successful marriages. Ephesians 5:22-33 MSG paints a great picture:

Wives, understand and support your husbands in ways that show your support for Christ. The husband provides leadership to his wife the way Christ does to his church, not by domineering but by cherishing. So just as the church submits to Christ as he exercises such leadership, wives should likewise submit to their husbands.Husbands, go all out in your love for your wives, exactly as Christ did for the church—a love marked by giving, not getting. Christ’s love makes the church whole. His words evoke her beauty. Everything he does and says is designed to bring the best out of her, dressing her in dazzling white silk, radiant with holiness. And that is how husbands ought to love their wives. They’re really doing themselves a favor—since they’re already “one” in marriage.No one abuses his own body, does he? No, he feeds and pampers it. That’s how Christ treats us, the church, since we are part of his body. And this is why a man leaves father and mother and cherishes his wife. No longer two, they become “one flesh.” This is a huge mystery, and I don’t pretend to understand it all. What is clearest to me is the way Christ treats the church. And this provides a good picture of how each husband is to treat his wife, loving himself in loving her, and how each wife is to honor her husband.

In all, the Six Cs for Successful Marriages are rooted in a seventh C, charity which is love.

On several occasions I’ve come in contact with adolescent and young adult females who shared their stories that summed up to the definition of date rape. The variables were all similar, a young woman between the age of 13 and 19 years of age. This same young woman was attending a party with friends and/or acquaintances. This young woman was then coerced to engage in underage alcohol consumption to the point of inebriation, then encouraged to participate in sexual activity that could include everything from performing varying sexual acts to sexual intercourse. When confronted with the fact that they were in fact a victim of sexual assault and/or rape. They vehemently report that they were aware of what happened and they were in control. But, is that really true?

The Illinois State Police Department define date rape by the following:
Date rape is a form of acquaintance rape. It is the forced sexual contact by someone the victim is or has been dating. Regardless of the amount of time a couple has dated--in some cases, they may have just met and it may be the first "date," they may have been together for years, or even no longer a couple--when sex is forced on someone by the use of threats, intimidation, trickery, or in cases where consent cannot be given because of impaired judgment due to alcohol or drug intoxication, it is RAPE. And, it is against the law.

In most cases, the influence of alcohol or a chemical substance removes a person’s inhibitors, both physical and psychological. Being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs is not an excuse for sexual violence.

Unfortunately, researchers have not been able to properly calculate statistics, because of many victims fail to report these incidents. However, the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault (ICASA) provide the following statistics for sexual assault among adolescent:
· More than 70% of rape victims knew their attackers, compared to about half of all violent crime victims.
· 90% of rape victims who knew their attacker did not report the attack to the police.
· 38% of acquaintance rape victims are 14-17 years old.
· 90% of rape victims under age 13 knew their attacker.
· 57% of the rapes happened on dates
· Only 27% of the women considered themselves to be victims of rape, although their assaults met the legal definition of rape, which is indicated above.
 
So, how do we prevent further incidents of date/acquaintance rape from occurring among adolescents?
1. Educate.
Give yourselves to disciplined instruction; open your ears to tested knowledge. Don't be afraid to correct your young ones . . . (you) might save them from something worse than death.
Proverbs 23:12-14 Message

2. Support.
The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Proverbs 12:18 NIV

3. Guide them to the comfort of the Lord.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:18 NIV

I can remember being a little girl who would often succumb to fear. If I would see another school kid in public I would often hide behind my mother and refuse to speak. Once when asked to recite a speaking part in a Kindergarten program, during the practice I would spend several minutes crying excessively refusing to recite my part which I knew very well. I began to grow out of it as I had gotten older and more comfortable with my peers and teachers in school. However, transition always proved to be difficult for me. When going to high school and later to college I began to turn inward, introverted, reserved, and shy. It was safer to self-preserve from threat and discomfort. I respond now by being a risk taker. When I feel fear arising I try to do the opposite, and be bold and not allow time to past because it can make it even more difficult to progress.

What is fear?
Fear is defined by Webster as to feel afraid or apprehension; it is an unpleasant often strong emotion caused by or the anticipation or awareness of danger; implies anxiety and loss of courage.
Synonyms include:

• Dread
• Fright
• Alarm
• Terror
• Trepidation
• Anxiety
• Panic 

Anxiety is a painful apprehension, uneasiness of mind over an impending or anticipated ill. It is also defined as fearful concern or interest, and abnormal or overwhelming sense of apprehension or fear often marked by physiological signs (sweating, tension, and increased impulse).

Panic is defined as the sudden overpowering fright, unreasonable terror, of relating to or resembling the mental or emotional state induced by the god Pan. What?

A note about Pan: Pan has been described as a pagan god in Greek mythology and was believed to be responsible for sudden, inexplicable fear or panic. But, we are not called to idolatry. We are called to have holy fear, respect, and reverence to the One True God (Exodus 20:3-5 KJV). DO NOT BOW TO FEAR!!! Healthy fear is that of reverence and respect, awe to the true and living God, not associated with self-preservation due to an impending, irrational, and overpowering threat.

Hebrew words for fear:

• `Arats: to tremble, dread, fear, oppress, prevail, break, be terrified, cause to tremble.
• Yare': to fear, revere, be afraid.

Greek words for fear:

• Deilia: timidity, fearfulness, cowardice.
• Phobos:  fear, dread, terror; that which strikes terror

Mask of Fear
The Spirit of Fear may attempt to mask itself in terms like reserved, introversion, and shy. Introversion is the state or tendency toward being completely concerned with and interested in one’s own mental life; turned inward or upon self, a reserved or shy person. Shy means to shrink away from contact with others, to be timid (easily frightened or fearful), hidden (reserved), and hesitant (bashful).
In the psychological and psychiatry sphere of mental health there is a host of Anxiety Disorders in which I will discuss in-depth later in the month. But, they include:

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Panic Disorder
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Social Phobia (or Social Anxiety Disorder)

How are we called to respond to fear?
1. Read what God told Joshua.
Be strong (confident) and of good courage, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only you be strong and very courageous, that you may do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you. Turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success. Have not I commanded you? Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous. Be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:5-9 AMP

2. This is Paul’s words to Timothy.
That is why I would remind you to stir up (rekindle the embers of, fan the flame of, and keep burning) the [gracious] gift of God, [the inner fire] that is in you by means of the laying on of my hands [with those of the elders at your ordination].For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.
2 Timothy 1:5,6 AMP

3. John wrote the following in an epistle.
And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
1 John 4:16-18 NIV

Fear should not be ignored or minimized. It can have paralyzing effects that prevents us from experiencing the fullness of our callings in God. It can cause us to hold back and withdraw, because of our intent to protect ourselves which is our self-image and pride. This is often because of the fear of making a mistake, shame that may result, and the fear of the inability to cope with it. BE STRONG AND VERY COURAGEOUS!!

​Mya had fallen prey to Confusing Intensity for Love. The common thread found among teen dating violence. Mya and Jonathan are fictional characters, but this story is true to several teens and tweens. 

What is Teen Dating Violence?
Between Friends, a Domestic Violence agency in Chicago, describes teen dating violence as the repeated pattern of mental, physical, emotional, sexual, or economic abuse where one dating partner makes the other partner feel scared, weak, isolated, hurt, or sad. 

A Few Statistics
The National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline, loveisrespect.org provides the following statistics:

• 1 in 5 teens who have been in a serious relationship report being hit, slapped or pushed by a partner. 
• 1 in 3 girls who have been in a serious relationship say they've been concerned about being physically hurt by their partner. 
• 1 in 4 teens who have been in a serious relationship say their boyfriend or girlfriend has tried to prevent them from spending time with friends or family; the same number have been pressured to only spend time with their partner. 
• 1 in 3 girls between the ages of 16 and 18 say sex is expected for people their age if they're in a relationship; half of teen girls who have experienced sexual pressure report they are afraid the relationship would break up if they did not give in. 
• Nearly 1 in 4 girls who have been in a relationship (23%) reported going further sexually than they wanted as a result of pressure.

These are just a few statistics and serves as a brief introduction to provide some awareness of some alarming activity among teens. I'll continue to share more about myths and facts, warning signs, and the cycle of abuse later. But I'll leave you with a response to this intensity and an account of true love:


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