Archive for August, 2009
Getting Out and Getting Involved – Special Olympics
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When I heard that Bozeman, Montana was hosting the state Special Olympics 2009 – 2011, I called Vicki Dunham, COO of the Special Olympics Montana (http://www.somt.org), to see if including Intermountain Therapy Animal teams (www.therapyanimals.org) might be a good collaboration. Although my dog and I have only been involved for a year and a half the opportunities for us to get out and volunteer as a team have been delightful. I felt strongly that other teams would feel the same, and they did. The ITA volunteers were delighted to learn that we had been invited and 18 teams quickly signed up for six 2-hour sessions.
What a magical experience to share our Registered Therapy Animals with this group of athletes, coaches and volunteers. All 18 dogs responded well to the love and attention they received from the many athletes, coaches and other volunteers. We had the privilege of meeting so many people who, each in their own way added to the wonderment of the Special Olympics.
The experience worked so well that ITA has been invited to participate in future Special Olympic events in Montana.
On a personal note, it is so helpful for me to be able to get out with Hunka and to bring joy to other people. As someone who lives with depression anything I can do to “get out of myself” is a bonus.
Pictured from left to right are Vicki Dunham, COO Special Olympics Montana, Carlye & Ginger, Alicia & Hunka, Jena & Lucy Liu.
Suicides Go Up When Economy Heads South
Posted by: | Comments“Do suicides go up when the economy heads south? Yes, say experts. ‘We ordinarily experience much, much higher rates of suicide during times of recession,’ says M. Harvey Brenner, professor of public health at the University of North Texas Health Science Center and Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland.”
“According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 32,000 people kill themselves each year. The government doesn’t keep statistics in “real time,” so it’s hard to tell whether the suicide rate is spiking right now. However, Brenner has crunched the numbers and thinks as many as 1,200 more suicides could happen as a result of the current recession.“
Read more at CNN’s site: http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/01/14/suicide.economy/index.html
Talking & Walking
Posted by: | Comments“Whether on the Internet or in person, talking to someone helps. In fact, talking and walking 30 minutes a day are the most effective strategies for treating and preventing depression.”
This quote, from Dr. Oz from the Oprah site caught my attention. I have a vision that we can talk our way out of the stigma of depression. Keeping it to ourselves only makes it worse, and that can be a dangerous thing where depression is concerned. It truly is a life and death situaiton.
Click here to read all 11 points offered by Dr. Oz on dealing with depression.
