Motivation and inspiration

Everything you need to know about Depression.

Depression has robbed South Africa and the entire world of many young and talented stars, from musicians, actors and academics. Most tragic is that these personalities who had battled serious depression left their families, fans and the public bereft and shocked after they committed suicide.

South African music industry has lost hip hop legend Jabulani Tsambo, better known as HHP in 2018, award-winning actress Shoki Mokgapa was best known for her role as Disebo on the e.tv soapie Ashes to Ashes also committed suicide the same year as HHP. She was struggling with clinical depression. Khensani Maseko a Rhodes University student who was allegedly raped by her boyfriend, committed suicide. We as South Africans, university of cape Town in particular lost its Dean of Health sciences, Professor Bongani Mayosi who has committed suicide after he struggled with depression. Motsweding FM's DJ Lara Kruger, born Thapelo Lehuleri died in January 2018 after she committed suicide when the depression demon led her into a dark hole.
Recently again SA music industry has lost singer, house music vocalist Nachume who has committed suicide. Just to name a few great south Africans we have lost due to depression, may the good lord rest their souls in eternal peace, their spirits continue to live on.

When we look beyond the borders of our beautiful country south Africa below is the list of great people we have lost, Stephanie Adams, American former glamour model, known as the November 1992 playboy playmate, jumped from a 25th floor window after pushing out her 7-year old son, Vincent. Leelah Alcorn, American transgender teenager, walked in front of a truck. August Ames, Canadian actress and model, hanging, suffered from depression and died after backlash to a controversial tweet. Simone Battle, x Factor contestant and member of the pop band G. R. L hanging, due to depression over financial issues. Helena Belmonte, Filipina model, jumped off a building, Malik Bendjelloul, Swedish documentary filmmaker, jumped in front of a moving train, he was struggling with depression, Chris Benoit, Canadian professional wrestler, hanged himself after killing his wife and son, had suffered from dementia and depression.

Isabella Blow, English magazine editor, and muse to fashion designer Alexander McQueen, poisoning. Jonathan Brandis, American actor, hanging, he was depressed about his career, which had slowly declined in recent years and he was drinking heavily. Katelyn Nicole Davis, American student, hanging, due to abuse, bullying and depression. Lastly Bill Zeller, American computer programmer, developer of my tunes, oxygen deprivation due to hanging led to brain damage, taken off life support, due to depression over being sexually abused as a young child, the list is endless and it is so unbelievable and shocking that the demon of depression has robbed us locally and internationally of so many great people and continues to take away our loved ones day by day. The question we continue to ask ourselves is are we actually doing enough to help and support people who are suffering from depression or we are suffering in silence.

According to WHO, approximately one million people commit suicide each year worldwide, that is about one death every 40 seconds or 3,000 per day. For each individual who takes his/her own life.,at least 20 attempt to do so. Suicide has mortality rate of 16 per 100,000 people.

These jobs have highest suicide rates in the United States, according to the CDC. Men who work in  construction and extraction had the highest rates of suicide in the United States, according to a report published Thursday by the US centers for disease control and prevention. For women, suicide rates were highest among those who work in arts, design, entertainment, sports and media. For women, the largest increase - - 54% from 2012 to 2015 was among food preparation and serving - related occupations, such as chefs, bar managers and baristas. For both sexes, the occupational group with lowest rate of suicides was education, training and library.

Age groups.

Suicide rates by age. In 2017,the highest suicide rate (20.2) was among adults between 45 and 54 years of age. The second highest rate(20.1) occurred in those 85 years or older. Younger groups have had consistently lower suicide rates than middle - aged and older adults.

Why are men more likely to than women to take their own lives?

Studies have found that men are more likely than women to have drunk alcohol in the hours before a suicide attempt, and that alcohol problems are more common in men who die by suicide than in women. Given the unequal burden of distress implied by the figures. It is hardly surprising that women are more likely to experience suicidal thoughts. The Adult psychiatric morbidity in England 2007 survey found that 19% of women had considered taking their own life. For men the figure was 14%. And women aren't simply more likely to think about suicide - they are also more likely to act on the idea. The survey found that 7% of women and 4% of men had attempted suicide at some point in their lives.

But of the 5,981 deaths by suicide in the UK in 2012, more than three quarters (quarters) were males. In the US, of the 38,000 people who took their own lives in 2010, 79% were men.

The choice of suicide method, males and females.

In the UK, for instance, 58% of male suicides involved hanging, strangulation or suffocation. For females the figure was 36%.Poisoning (which includes overdoses) was used by 43% of female suicides, compared with 20% of males. A similar pattern has been identified in the US, where 56% of male suicides involved firearms, with most common method for females ( 37.4%).
Women will opt for methods that preserve their appearance, and avoid those that cause facial disfigurement. Firearms were the most common method used by both sexes. Women who attempt suicide tend to use nonviolent means, such as overdosing. Men often use firearms or hanging, which are more likely to result in death.

How to deal with depression.

Talking : Talking to family, friends, work colleagues, and your boss about your thoughts and worries will help you, let off steam. You may be comforted to find that you are "not the only one". You may even find there is an easy solution that you had not thought of.

Acknowledging the signs: A person can be so anxious about the problem that is causing the depression that they do not notice, the effects on their body.

Establishing support networks: talk to neighbors and others in the local community, or joining a club, charity, or religious organizations.

Seek professional help : I would like to advise everyone who visit this blog with suicidal thoughts or anyone else who feel depressed to seek professional help from experts urgently. As I only give advice on this blog not solutions. Don't suffer in silence there is help out there, break the silence and let people hear your voice, never take your suffering lightly.

Depression Bible verses
The scripture that will encourage us to find peace and joy in the midst of depressing circumstances and feelings. Overcome depression with the help of God and his holy spirit!

Philippians 4:8

Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.

Deuteronomy 31:8

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you, he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid, don't be discouraged.

Psalm 34:17

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them, he delivers them from all their troubles.

Psalm 40:1-3
Psalm 3:3
Psalm 32:10
Psalm 42:11
1 Peter 5:6-7
John 16:33
Romans 8:38-39
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Isaiah 41:10

Contacts:

To contact a counselor call: 011 234 4837
Suicidal emergency contact : 0800 567 567
24h helpline 0800 456 789