Mental Health and or Personality Challenges That Can Lead To Suicide or Homicide by Marla Stone, MSW, Professional Organizer

My past life as a Social Worker is somewhat far behind me since I stopped practicing in April 2010. I am still an expert consultant on Mental Health Challenges and a Mental Health Advocate.

In my career, presently, as a Professional Organizer at www.i-deal-lifestyle.com I am coming across people with ADD, ADHD, Depression, Anxiety, OCD, Bipolar Disorder, Schizo-Affective Disorder, Autism, Asperger Syndrome, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Panic Disorder, Schizophrenia, Dissociative Identity Disorder, Drug and Alcohol Addiction, Personality Disorders including Narcissism, Borderline, Obsessive Compulsive, Dependent, Paranoid, Schizoid, Schizotypal, Antisocial, Histrionic, Avoidant, Depressive, Passive Aggressive, Self Defeating, Sadistic and with Psychopathy.

Mental Health Challenges, Addiction Challenges, and Behavioral Patterns that are causing pain, grief, anger, anxiety or discomfort often can lead a person to think about suicide and or homicide. Suicidal and or Homicidal ideation often takes a leap during the Spring and Summer months. And here is my big reminder at this time of year.... May is the Highest Rate of Suicide of the year. Summer or hotter times of the year are higher for Homicide. Why May for suicide? There are cycles of mood and early May we hit the bottom of our energy cycle. Think of the Bears ending their sleep and hibernation cycle. By Mid to late May we start on an up swing of mood. Why Hotter months for homicide? Frustration grows in heat! Mental Health and Personality Challenges usually are the root of all Suicide and Homicide actions.

Personality Challenges, especially, can be hidden challenges that are inflexible behavior patterns but extremely pervasive in people's lives. The ego structure, if fractured or disturbed during childhood, often sets Personality Challenges up, to sneak into our lives, destroying happiness, harmony, good relationships and our sense of well being. With a Personality Disorder it is also difficult to create adaptive coping strategies. Mental Health Challenges are generally bio/psycho/social in nature. It is always highly recommended to seek counseling to get your diagnosis dialed in. All people can also benefit from having a Life Coach.

Recently I ran into a person that kept repeating "I'm Not A Bad Person" and "I'm Not A Monster". Very odd statements coming from such a young woman, and symbolic of her feelings about herself and how she thinks she is perceived. Any types of odd or inconsistent behavior or verbal communications should not go un-noticed or un-attended. When you come across family, friends or even strangers who seem or appear odd or disturbed don't turn your back and run. Talk to them if it is safe, talk to their family, or someone who can safely get them to help. Give them the number to the Suicide Hotline and or Mental Health Programs in your area. Our society tends to run for the hills if there is conflict or strange situations. That is partially why we have National Traumas such as the killing of the Kindergarten children a few years ago. We as a society and individuals must stand up and take notice of "Odd" or "Strange" or "Weird" behavior in our fellow citizens. Parents must take their children, with Mental Health Challenges, seriously and get them help. It is your responsibility as a parent to take your child, at any age, even if they are threatening to get evaluated. It means you actually care if they are well, when you attend to their inconsistencies.

It is important to respect and take care when intervening in a disturbed individuals plight. We cannot be out there hunting down people and diagnosing, when you are not trained, just because. The best avenue is to always alert the authorities, call Adult Protective and or Child Protective Services or your local Mental Health Clinic when you suspect there is an issue with someone you come across. Never take these situations into your own hands. Suicide risk information can be found at http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/depression-recognizing-signs-of-suicide Suicide hotlines can be found at http://www.suicidehotlines.com


No more ignoring the obvious challenging people on this planet. We don't do it as a country with Foreign enemies and we shouldn't do it with individuals within our communities that we notice every day. The homeless for the most part are the most vulnerable for hate crimes so they are the least of our problem when it comes to being responsible for mass killings. The mentally ill such as people with Schizophrenia are 5% less violent then the average person, but when you add non-alliance to treatment and medications, drugs, alcohol and a personality disorder to the mix they can become irrational and a killing machine.

When you notice people talking to themselves and acting bizarre you should initiate an immediate phone call to authorities (Police) and Adult Protective Services. The Police and Adult Protective Services ARE responsible to come out and assess the situation. If they do not, call again and again until they realize that is their job. You can also always report a non response from Police to a supervisor or your City Council Members. The most responsible for making phone calls are Parents, Family Members, Teachers, Mental Health Practitioners, Medical Practitioners, but alerts from any citizen when things are just not correct is always a great idea. Stopping crazy behavior before it becomes harmful and deadly is the smart thing we can all take responsibility for.

Please pass this article onto everyone you know and post it on your Facebook page. We must act together to stop mass killings across our great and wonderful country.

Marla Stone, MSW, Professional Organizer, Life and Business Coach, Author, Public Speaker
www.southocwellness.com
www.i-deal-lifestyle.com

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