Oh No! Did I Miss It?

Almost..............

Today is the last day to get your 2 Super Bundles!! Tonight at 12 midnight they will be all gone!

• The Healthy Living Bundle 
• The Herbs and Essential Oils Super Bundle

Don't stress.....you still have time to order if you do it quickly!

 

 

 Can you believe that each Bundle is less than $30.00 each!! 

That is such an amazing price!

Full Support provided

 

Enjoy your resources!

Lets learn how to keep our families happy and healthy this New Year!

World Suicide Prevention Day 2015 : Why We Need To Talk About Depression Now! #worldsuicidepreventionday

According to the recently released World Health Organization (WHO) report:Preventing Suicide: A Global Imperative, over 800,000 people die by suicide across the world each year. The report notes that this estimate is conservative, with the real figure likely to be higher because of the stigma associated with suicide, lack of reliable death recording procedures, and religious or legal sanctions against suicide in some countries.

We may not be able to pinpoint the exact figure, but we do know that each individual suicide is a tragic loss of life. It is hard to imagine the extreme psychological pain that leads someone to decide that suicide is the only course of action. Reaching out to someone who is struggling can make a difference.

‘Preventing Suicide: Reaching Out and Saving Lives’ is the theme of the 2015 World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD), an initiative of the International Association for Suicide Prevention(IASP) and the WHO, a co-sponsor of meetings and events related to WSPD 2015.. Since 2003, WSPD has taken place on 10th September each year. It serves as a call to action to individuals and organizations to prevent suicide. This year, the theme encourages us all to consider the role that offering support may play in combating suicide.

The act of showing care and concern to someone who may be vulnerable to suicide can be a game-changer. Asking them whether they are OK, listening to what they have to say in a non-judgmental way, and letting them know you care, can all have a significant impact. Isolation increases the risk of suicide, and, conversely, having strong social connections is protective against it, so being there for someone who has become disconnected can be life-saving.

Reaching out to those who have been bereaved by suicide

Suicide is devastating for families, friends and community members who are left behind. They may experience a whole range of emotions, including grief, anger, guilt, disbelief and self-blame.They may not feel that they can share these overwhelming feelings with anyone else. Therefore, reaching out to those who have lost someone to suicide is very important.

As a result of the stigma surrounding suicide, those who are bereaved by suicide are often perceived differently from those who lose a family member through another cause of death. People who are bereaved may find that they are avoided by people who don’t know how to broach the subject or offer their condolences. Or they may just feel that others do not understand the intensity of their emotional response to the death of their loved one.

Once again, a pro-active approach and offering a sympathetic, non-judgmental ear can make all the difference. Giving someone who has been bereaved by suicide the opportunity to talk about their loss, in their own time, on their own terms, can be a precious gift. Allowing them to express their full range of feelings can be cathartic, and can help them to take the first small step in moving through their grief. Starting the conversation may be difficult, but it will almost certainly be appreciated.

Reaching out to put people in touch with relevant services

Although the support of friends and relatives is crucial for people who may be at risk of suicide and for people who have lost someone to suicide, it is not always enough. Often more formal help is also needed. Such help can take many forms, and is likely to vary from country to country. In high-income countries, it may include specialist mental health services and primary care providers, both of which offer clinical care. It may also include a range of community organisations which provide non-clinical support, as well as support groups and self-help groups. In low- and middle-income countries, the more clinically-focused services are less readily available, and there is a heavier reliance on community organizations. Part of reaching out to vulnerable individuals can involve helping to link them to relevant services.

Reaching out to the suicide prevention community

There is strength in numbers. Around the globe, many individuals and organizations are involved in efforts to prevent suicide. We can learn from each other, and strengthen the evidence base for effective interventions. Reaching out to those who are travelling the same road increases the likelihood that our collective efforts to reduce the numbers of people who die by suicide, and the numbers of people for whom these deaths have shattering effects, will be successful.

Reaching out on World Suicide Prevention Day

On September 10th, join with others around the world who are working towards the common goal of preventing suicide. Check in on someone you may be concerned about, listen to what they say, how they say it and show them kindness and support. Investigate ways of linking in with others who are trying to prevent suicide in your community, your country, or internationally. Show your support by organizing or taking part in a WSPD activity in your area and/or join in with IASP’s Cycle Around the Globe.

Please, reach out and save lives.

Credit: IASP- World Suicide Prevention https://www.iasp.info/wspd/

Light a Candle Near a Window at 8pm on September 10th 

How Your Gut Bacteria Affects Your Brain and Body

Recent studies suggest bacteria in our digestive tract can play a large role in our overall health. Depression, anxiety, autism, schizophrenia, obesity, cancer and irritable bowel syndrome are just a few of the major complications gut bacteria can create.

Some even call our gut the "2nd brain" because it affects so many systems within the body.
Via Medicinenet.com:

"Research has shown that the network of neurons lining our guts is so extensive that is has now been nicknamed our "second brain" or "other brain." This gut "brain" doesn't think for us, but it does play a key role in certain diseases and communicates with the brain in our skulls.

Our "second brain" is known as the enteric nervous system. It is a collection of neurons in the gastrointestinal tract. Its role is to manage every aspect of digestion in all the organs of the gastrointestinal tract, including the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and colon. It uses over 100 million neurons and some of the same chemicals things that can be found in your "other" brain, including neurotransmitters and neuropeptides.

Within your gastrointestinal tract, there is intestinal microflora or microbiota. This complex ecosystem contains over 400 bacterial species. Small amounts can be found in your stomach and small intestines, but the majority is found in your colon. The intestinal microflora aid in digestion, synthesize vitamins and nutrients, metabolize some medications, support the development and functioning of the gut, and enhance the immune system."

With over 5,000 species of bacteria living in the gut, we have a mix of good and bad microbes. Helicobacter Pylori causes ulcers, while Lactobacilli may ward off stress and anxiety.

Keeping a healthy digestive system is very important. Taking probiotics daily is one of the best solutions to achieve your health goals.

More than a third of depression sufferers have  a "leaky gut" lining that will allow bacteria to seep into the bloodstream.

Prebiotics/Probiotics taken on a regular basis can have a anti-anxiety and antidepressant effect.

Can you believe that something this simple can make such a difference in your health and wellness? It can, if your gut flora and balance gets "off" the rest of the body will suffer.

Doctors and other healthcare providers write prescriptions so freely for antibiotics and anti-fungal medications, but fail to tell patients about the most important plan of care. Taking a probiotic or increasing the consumption of foods that contain fermented foods that are high in probiotics.

Where can I get more information on probiotics?

USProbiotics.org (http://www.usprobiotics.org/)

"Herbs and Supplements," MedlinePlus (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/herb_All.html)

Wow that is impressive, imagine all the diseases and chronic health issues we could change or fix with just the balancing of a patients gut? Your gut?
I know I feel so much better since I have adjusted my diet and started taking a probiotic daily, my immune system has been stronger in the process too.

Until next time.................

I Am Not The Nut Job Lady In Room 13, Lets Focus on Our HumanPatients #ptcenteredcare #ernurses

What is Wrong With Me?
Sweat beads on my forehead, my heart is racing, all ready for the next round of EMS patients that are soon to arrive  to my trauma bay. It has been a long night so far and we are tired, I have not eaten or peed in 8 hours, but a family has been involved in a crash on the interstate and their van was fully engulfed in flames. I hate crispy critters, the smell of burning flesh stays on your mind for days. The call bell is ringing again.....ding....ding....ding....ding, that "crazy nut job lady" in room 13 wants a snack.......again. She is waiting on psychiatric placement due to depression and suicidal ideations and I can so totally relate to her, since I have depression myself, I could be her, she is somebody's mom.
Adults, children, infants no matter, their faces don't really matter, we call them by their condition,complaint or problem, we give them funny code names and laugh at each one: The "gunshot wound guy" in T1, "the skull fracture kid" in T2, "Code Tooth" dental pain chick in room 4, the confused mamaw UTI in room 1, " the nut job in room 13"...........wait, what is wrong with me?

I could be anyone of these people, my family has been these people, these people are human beings!!
These people have names, they are someones father, mother, child and grandmother. I am a mother, a daughter and a wife to someone. I am a human being too, would I like to be called "the nut job lady" in room 13.....NO!

Patient and Family Centered Care

In the world of healthcare speak we talk about patient centered care, many methods, models and hours of research have been spent on this topic. Patient-centered care supports active involvement of patients and their families in the design of new care models and in decision-making about individual options for treatment. The IOM (Institute of Medicine) defines patient-centered care as: "Providing care that is respectful of and responsive to individual patient preferences, needs, and values, and ensuring that patient values guide all clinical decisions." (from Wikipedia)
In the emergency department our focus has to be centered around the patient, they are our focus, but that patient is also a person, with a family, a life outside, a job, pets, children etc. Focusing on the person as a whole is imperative to complete care. Patient and family centered care is a better approach to healthcare that integrates all the players in the game. It encourages a collaboration of healthcare with patient and family as a whole.

Leaning The Hard Way
I have learned the hard way that listening to the patient and their family will not only save you as the nurse time, it will save you embarrassment in front of the family when they are right and you are ultimately wrong because you did not listen. I have been the family member sitting at the bedside myself, my husband has multiple health issues so we have been in and out of many doctors offices, emergency departments, clinics, intensive cares etc. Feeling scared and alone with a 4 month old infant in a baby carrier , we found ourselves 3 hours away from home at a huge teaching hospital, our world turned upside down when a post-op infection took over my husband's (of less than a year)
body. I learned very quickly that there was no patient-family centered care there, nobody seemed to listen to me until I grew a set of brass "kaunas" and let them know that I was a nurse, this was my husband and I demanded something be done NOW! I hated to act like a totally B@$%, but he was dying in front of my eyes.
Learning from others mistakes has made me a much better nurse today, I listen to the person and his/her family now, even if they just want to tell me about their children, pets or where the best place to draw blood might be.

Setting The Bar- Leading By Example 
It is so easy to fall into the norm of everyday work and act just like your co-workers, I am just as guilty I admit. Nurses in the ER develop a different style of coping mechanism I think, I use humor to help me get thru my shift and just get home. It in no way is a personal attack on anyone, our humor is not very respectful at times, I will admit. When faced with such horrific realities of death, destruction and violence we want a way to turn off the negative and be positive. It is hard to just keep smiling when your patient just called you names or cursed you because they have to wait to long or did not get the narcotics they desired.
Hard as it might be to focus on each patient as an individual person, worthy of your time and care, they all deserve care that is respectful. Communication is a key tool, involving the family and patient in what is going on helps to relieve stress and decrease anxiety.
You can set the bar high and lead by example, other nurses watch how you interact with your patients, families and other healthcare team members. Even well seasoned nurses like myself can learn valued lessons that lets us focus on our "human" patients, not the "nut job lady in room 13".

This post was written as part of the Nurse Blog Carnival. More posts on this topic can be found at Big Red Carpet Nursing. Find out how to participate, click the box below and join us!

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World Suicide Prevention Day ~~ September 10th #stopsuicide #depression

World Suicide Prevention Day is held on September 10, 2013. It is an awareness day which is observed every year, in order to provide worldwide commitment and action to prevent suicides, with various activities around the world. The observance is endorsed by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The World Suicide Prevention Day was founded in 2003

From Kristin Brooks Hope Center 

Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Suicidal behavior is complex, as some risk factors vary with age, gender, and ethnic group and may even change over time. The risk factors for suicide frequently occur in combination. Research has shown that more than 90% of people who commit suicide have depression or another diagnosable mental or substance abuse disorder.

The number one cause of suicide is untreated depression. A depressive disorder is an illness that involves the whole body, mood, and thoughts. It affects the way a person feels about oneself and the way one thinks about things. The taking of ones own life tragically demonstrates the terrible psychological pain experienced by a person who has lost all hope – a person who is no longer able to cope with day to day activities – a person who feels there is no solution to their problem – a person who wants to end the pain by ending their own life.

Much of this kind of suffering is unnecessary. Depression is treatable and as a result, suicide is preventable. Love yourself or a friend enough not to keep thoughts of suicide a secret. If you or a friend of yours is thinking of ending the pain by ending your own life, this is not a secret to keep. Talk to your family, friends or other special people in your life. They can help you find solutions to your problems and to see ways to cope with your pain without ending your life. Help is just a phone call away: 1.800.SUICIDE (784-2433)

Things to know about suicide:

•  90% of people who commit suicide have depression or another diagnosable  mental illness or substance abuse disorder

•  The number one cause of suicide is untreated depression

•  Suicide has ranked at the 3 rd leading cause of death for young people nationally

•  There are three female attempts for every male attempt at suicide. However, males are four times as likely to die from their attempts

What to do if a friend or loved one is suicidal:

•  Let that person know you are concerned about their well-being, and that you have observed certain clues that have made you think that they may want to hurt themselves. Ask them if they are depressed or suicidal.

•  Listen to your friend, and keep in mind that you must stay calm. Your friend will more than likely be relived that someone noticed their pain, and cared enough to confront them and talk about it.

•  Support your friend unconditionally. While you cannot make someone choose to live, and while you aren't responsible for their life, you can support them and show them that you care while giving them ideas about other choices.

•  Remind this friend that suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.

•  Be honest with your friend and they will trust your input. Let them know you want to help them, even if it involves calling an adult or a hotline. Call them in front of your friend if necessary.

•  Call 9-1-1 if you feel their suicide threat is immediate.

So you think you need to die today?

Instead of that thought, how about thinking about getting some help first, there are people out there that do care about you and want you to live, I do, and I don't even

know who you are. I have been in your spot before, down, down, down with no 

light at the end of my tunnel, I thought. I instead got some help and moved on with 

my life. Thinking positive daily helps, plus a little medical help thru pharmacology.

Get Help Now

For Telephone support:
Here is a list of our hotlines in the US

(800)442-4673 .....1-800-442-HOPE

(877)838-2838 .....1-877-Vet2Vet Veterans peer support line

(800)784-2432 .....1-800-SUICIDA Spanish speaking suicide hotline

(877)968-8454 .....1-877-YOUTHLINE teen to teen peer counseling hotline

(800)472-3457 .....1-800-GRADHLP Grad student hotline

(800)773-6667 .....1-800-PPD-MOMS Post partum depression hotline

For a list of hotlines outside the US go here:
www.befrienders.org

For email support 24 x 7:
jo@samaritans.org
It may take a few hours or more to generate a response

For online chat support now:
(none of these are 24 x7 but will tell you if online counselors are available)

http://newhopeonline.org/counseling/liveperson.html
www.crisischat.org

http://www.kidshelp.com.au/teens/get-help/web-counselling
( only available in Australia)

For Reading:
There is a great book to read which is free and online called Suicide: The Forever Decision from the QPR Institute - Download it HERE 

During depression the world disappears. Language itself. One has nothing to say. Nothing. Kristin experienced this misery, yet still managed to touch many lives and even in death continues to help others find help for their depression.
The Kristin Brooks Hope Center was created to help those in crisis find help and hope immediately. The site and her story gives you a raw, personal glimpse into depression, and how it affects those around you. In addition, you will find the only clear, step-by-step path for you to follow out of the darkness. There is hope and you can feel happy again! If you need to speak with someone right now call: 

1.800.SUICIDE 

 (1.800.784.2433) 

Credit to The Kristin Brooks Hope Center webpage

Depression – Depression is a mental illness that is linked to physical changes that occur in the brain. Depression results from an imbalance of certain chemicals, called neurotransmitters, which are responsible for carrying signals in the brain and nerves. While there is no single cause of depression, there are many common factors that can lead to depression. Such factors as: family history, physical conditions, trauma/stress, and other psychological disorders.

Family History - Depression is one of many illnesses that can be passed on to individuals within a family for generations as a result of genetics. Genetics are responsible for all physical and biological traits, and are always inherited from one's parents.

Physical Conditions - Depression can result from the weakness and stress caused by serious medical conditions like cancer, HIV, or heart disease. Depression can actually increase the severity of such physical conditions, for it weakens the immune system and can make pain harder to tolerate.

Trauma/Stress - Traumatic or stressful experiences can drastically increase ones likelihood of becoming depressed. Changing schools, starting a new job, or dealing with the death of a family member are all extreme changes in ones life that can lead to depression.

Psychological Disorders - When one suffers from other psychological disorders such as anxiety, eating disorders, or substance abuse, depression can arise if these disorders go untreated, as a result of the stress that occurs from living with the illness.

Some Warning Signs of Depression:

•  Lack of interest in friends or social activities

•  Drastic changes in ones grades

•  Thoughts of running away

•  Alcohol or substance abuse

•  Fear of death

•  Frequent sadness

•  Problems sleeping

•  Changes in eating habits

•  Constant tiredness

•  Increased irritability

---

Grief/Loss- Grief is the feeling that you experience with the death of a loved one. Loss is the feeling that you experience when a significant absence or change occurs in your life, but isn't related to death. However, some losses may actually feel worse than a death, (which are the most misunderstood feelings of all). There are several indications of grief and loss, which include: shock, sadness, anger, guilt and sometimes, no feelings at all.

Shock - Shock is the feeling of surprise where you may wonder “why me?”

Sadness - Sadness is the feeling of sorrow where you will miss the person you have loved so much

Anger - Anger is the feeling of rage, where you may wonder “why did this person have to leave”

Guilt - Guilt is the feeling that you could have done something to change the situation, and you may say “I didn't say enough or do enough when the person was here”

No feelings - Sometimes, when the loss of a loved one is unexpected, you may feel confused and may not even know what to feel, or what to say. These feelings are normal and should not be confused with a dislike for the individual.

What you can do:

1. If you feel overwhelmed by grief or loss, are having difficulties getting back to a normal routine, or considering taking your own life because of your grief or loss, please make an attempt to get help and call 1-877 YOUTHLINE, or call 1-800 SUICIDE

2. Talk to an adult that you trust 

 

Learn the Warning Signs of Suicide  

 

Be aware of yourself, your friends, family and people around you,

You never know what kind of battle another person is facing daily

Walk a mile in their shoes first before you judge or talk about them

Hold your head up high and have positive thoughts

God does not make junk!!

You are loved!

Remember that!

National Domestic Violence Hotline number!

I just had to add this video from the National Domestic Violence Hotline:

Lets Get Real, Lets make a difference!

Kevin Lucey lost his son to suicide. Please, I know its hard to listen to. I know it will make you cry to watch this. But please take the three minutes and hear his story... and pass it along. Joining together, caring together, we CAN keep people like Jeffrey from falling through the cracks. We can make a difference.

Suicide is a topic that nobody wants to talk about, but it is very real, just like the
story above of Kevin Lucey. Jeffrey fell thru the cracks and died, he cried out for help
and nobody seemed to have the time to help him, except his parents.
Lets take a look at suicide and what education and resources are out there now.
One of the best ones I have seen lately is the "Kristin Brooks Hope Center-Hopeline", alot of the information here is credited to their webpage (thank you).

Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Suicidal behavior is complex, as some risk factors vary with age, gender, and ethnic group and may even change over time. The risk factors for suicide frequently occur in combination. Research has shown that more than 90% of people who commit suicide have depression or another diagnosable mental or substance abuse disorder.

The number one cause of suicide is untreated depression. A depressive disorder is an illness that involves the whole body, mood, and thoughts. It affects the way a person feels about oneself and the way one thinks about things. The taking of ones own life tragically demonstrates the terrible psychological pain experienced by a person who has lost all hope – a person who is no longer able to cope with day to day activities – a person who feels there is no solution to their problem – a person who wants to end the pain by ending their own life.

Much of this kind of suffering is unnecessary. Depression is treatable and as a result, suicide is preventable. Love yourself or a friend enough not to keep thoughts of suicide a secret. If you or a friend of yours is thinking of ending the pain by ending your own life, this is not a secret to keep. Talk to your family, friends or other special people in your life. They can help you find solutions to your problems and to see ways to cope with your pain without ending your life. Help is just a phone call away: 1.800.SUICIDE (784-2433)

Things to know about suicide:

•  90% of people who commit suicide have depression or another diagnosable mental illness or substance abuse disorder

•  The number one cause of suicide is untreated depression

•  Suicide has ranked at the 3 rd leading cause of death for young people nationally

•  There are three female attempts for every male attempt at suicide. However, males are four times as likely to die from their attempts

What to do if a friend or loved one is suicidal:

•  Let that person know you are concerned about their well-being, and that you have observed certain clues that have made you think that they may want to hurt themselves. Ask them if they are depressed or suicidal.

•  Listen to your friend, and keep in mind that you must stay calm. Your friend will more than likely be relived that someone noticed their pain, and cared enough to confront them and talk about it.

•  Support your friend unconditionally. While you cannot make someone choose to live, and while you aren't responsible for their life, you can support them and show them that you care while giving them ideas about other choices.

•  Remind this friend that suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.

•  Be honest with your friend and they will trust your input. Let them know you want to help them, even if it involves calling an adult or a hotline. Call them in front of your friend if necessary.

•  Call 9-1-1 if you feel their suicide threat is immediate.

• Become trained as a Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper ONLINE! NOW!
The Kristin Brooks Hope Center is pleased to announce the first suicide prevention gatekeeper training program to be delivered online.

The program is called QPR. It stands for Question, Persuade and Refer, three steps anyone can learn to help prevent suicide. Just like CPR, QPR is an emergency response to someone in crisis and can save lives. QPR is the most widely taught gatekeeper training program in the United States, and more than 1,000,000 adults have been trained in classroom settings in 50 states.

QPR Online is taught in a clear, concise format using the latest in educational technology and takes approximately one hour to complete. A high-speed internet connection is required.

QPR Online is hosted by actress and author, Carrie Fisher, and uses Web-based technology, compelling graphics, streamed video and interactive learning dynamics to teach:
* How to get help for yourself or learn more about preventing suicide
*The common causes of suicidal behavior
*The warning signs of suicide
*How to Question, Persuade and Refer someone who may be suicidal
*How to get help for someone in crisis
After completing a post-course survey, evaluation and passing a 15-item quiz on QPR, a printable Certificate of Course Completion is available.

The course retails for $29.95. By typing in "Hopeline" in the promo code you receive a 33% discount. The cost will be $19.95.

Click here to get trained now. 

Learn the Warning Signs of Suicide  

 Next blog post we will talk more about depression and things that can lead up to suicidal behaviors, including my own personal struggles with this sensitive topic.

Thank you for wanting to be a solution!

More info and help here: http://www.hopeline.com/gethelpnow.html