Season raises risk of suicide

AIKEN -- While the holiday season is a cheerful and jolly time for many people, it can be a difficult period for people who experience the symptoms of depression.

From Thanksgiving Day until late January, local health care professionals see an increase in the number of people affected by depression. The number of suicides also increases during this time of the year, said John Young, the executive director of the Aiken-Barnwell Mental Health Cen­ter.

"A lot of people don't have the loved one they want to be with or are having relationship problems," Mr. Young said. "During the holidays, a lot of people put pressure on themselves to be perfect, and we're not perfect."

Adults between the ages of 23 and 40 are the most likely to be affected by the holiday blues, Mr. Young said. He said depression can be triggered by feelings of regret, guilt or a feeling of not having accomplished things during the year. With the added stress of having more things to do, from decorating to buying gifts, and not enough time or money to complete the tasks, it can lead to serious cases of depression.

Holiday pressures and the feelings of loneliness the holidays can bring can cause situational depression or drive a depressed person even deeper. The winter season, filled with colder weather, higher heating costs and fewer hours of daylight , also sends some people spiraling into the post-holiday blues, said Cam Varner, the executive director of the Help Line of Aiken County. He said the 24-hour crisis hot line sees an increase in calls from people who are experiencing loneliness or isolation.

"A person's kids may have come for a visit but they have left or may not have come at all, and there's a feeling of being let down (after the holidays)," Mr. Varner said. "There is also an increase in the cost of basic needs and concern when all of the bills come in January."

Depression is linked to two-thirds of the suicides in the United States. South Carolina ranked 35th and Georgia 37th in the nation for suicides in 2002, according to the American Association of Suicidology.

Treatments for depression range from talking and therapy to medication and possible hospitalization. If left untreated, Mr. Young said, the depression worsens, leading to other problems and causing some people to attempt suicide.

Most clinical depression cases go untreated because of the stigma associated with the medical condition, said Keely Foster, the director of clinical services at Integrated Health Resources in Augusta.

"Depression is a mental illness and needs to be treated, but many people feel that they should be able to lift themselves out of it," Ms. Foster said. "But more people are becoming aware of the symptoms as opposed to years ago, when people didn't talk about it."

Mr. Young said one of the best things friends and family members can do to help someone who might be showing signs of depression is to talk with him or urge him to talk with a friend, family member, pastor or physician or to call the crisis hot line. Symptoms can include talking about suicide or death, withdrawing from family or friends, or losing interest in work or hobbies.

"If you notice that your loved one is acting depressed, talk to that person," Mr. Young said. "The more you can get that person to talk about what is happening to them, the more you can help them."

Reach Karen Ethridge at (803) 648-1395, ext. 109, or karen.ethridge@augustachronicle.com.