World Health Day is April 7 and this year the World Health Organization (WHO) is tackling depression. Per statistics from the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, 40 million adults suffer from depression in the United States alone. Globally, that number escalates to an astounding 350 million people. The prevalence among children and adolescents is much higher: 1 in every 4 teens will have a major depressive episode in high school. Depression also accounts for the second leading cause of death among 15 to 29 year olds–suicide. In an ongoing effort to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and mobilize the community to learn, recognize, and treat depression, WHO has implemented a year-long campaign with the slogan, “Depression: Let’s Talk.” The campaign began October 2016, but it’s not too late to take part in the conversation. 

Through your social media accounts, share posts, videos, and tweets from WHO.

Facilitate access to information and resources by creating events, hosting discussion forums online or at coffee shops, and circulating flyers or handouts. The World Health Organization has excellent resources and materials available for free on their website.

And most importantly, talk. As caretakers, educators, or simply concerned citizens, you can shape the dialogue surrounding mental health by encouraging conversation. Reach out to those you suspect may be depressed. Learn the signs and symptoms of depression in adults and teens and familiarize yourself with resources in your community. Talk about it, share information, and offer support. Lending an ear may save a life.   

What you can do for people who are depressed (WHO, 2017)

• Make it clear that you want to help, listen without judgement, and offer support.
• Find out more about depression.
• Encourage them to seek professional help when available. Offer to accompany them to appointments.
• If medication is prescribed, help them to take it as prescribed. Be patient; it usually takes a few weeks to feel better.
• Help them with everyday tasks and to have regular eating and sleeping patterns.
• Encourage regular exercise and social activities.
• Encourage them to focus on the positive, rather than the negative.
• If they are thinking about self-harm, or have already intentionally harmed themselves, do not leave them alone. Seek further help from the emergency services or a health-care professional. In the meantime, remove items such as medications, sharp objects and firearms.
• Take care of yourself too. Try to find ways to relax and continue doing things you enjoy.

Visit: http://www.who.int/campaigns/world-health-day/2017/campaign-essentials/en/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/WHO/, Twitter https://twitter.com/who @WHO, YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/who and Instagram @worldhealthorganizationUse hashtags #LetsTalk, #depression, #mentalhealth

Teen Depression Symptoms (Psychcentral.com)                           

•     Hopelessness, pessimism, preoccupation with morbid themes
•     Persistent boredom; low energy, low motivation
•     Increased irritability, anger, or hostility
•     Frequent complaints of physical illnesses, such as headaches and stomachaches
•     Poor concentration
•     Decreased interest in activities; or inability to enjoy previously favorite activities
•     Social isolation, poor communication

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“The latest research tells us that 94% of the population will either be personally affected by or have an immediate family member affected by one or more of the top cognitive disorders sometime in the next 20 years,” said Myron Pincomb, International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) Board Chairman. “No other profession is impacted by these findings more than our educators and health care professionals.”

Educators and healthcare professionals will join more than 25 international experts on cognitive and developmental disabilities, featuring Tier I university researchers, neurosurgeons, master educators, distinguished clinicians and therapists, deans of higher education as well as a member of the Joint Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force. Through interactive sessions presented by distinguished experts in cognitive research, neuro science and patient care from around the globe, the symposium will enable attendees to have immediate, long-term impacts on individuals with Alzheimer’s, Autism, Parkinson’s, PTSD, dementia, stroke and other cognitive and developmental disabilities.

“Research has repeatedly demonstrated the importance of cognitive problems in limiting success in school and life,” said Dr. Bruce Wexler, Senior Research Scientist from Yale School of Medicine and Director of the Neurocognitive Research Laboratory at Connecticut Mental Health Center. “New research is establishing increasingly effective methods to help children and adults with cognitive deficits succeed despite the deficits, or even reduce the deficits themselves. I am looking forward to the conference, which brings together many people who are in the forefront of these important efforts.”

Teachers and education administrators attending will be better prepared to serve students and families through interactive sessions addressing inclusion and individual education plans and mental health, as well as best practices related to ADD/ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Pincomb stated, “Our goal is to bring together some of the most respected brain researchers, accomplished educators and innovative health care professionals from all corners of the globe to collaborate and share the latest research and strategies that will help conquer the enormous challenge ahead of us.”

Event speakers include Dr. Bruce Wexler, Senior Research Scientist from Yale School of Medicine, and Director of the Neurocognitive Research Laboratory at Connecticut Mental Health Center; Dr. Benjamin Brown, neurosurgeon at Mayo Clinic, Dr. Pam Rollins, Professor and Robotics Researcher at University of Texas School of Behavior and Brain Sciences, Dr. Christine Sapienza, Dean of Brooks Rehabilitation in the College of Healthcare Sciences at Jacksonville University; Dr. Stephen Shore, international autism speaker, author and professor at Adelphi University; Lt. Col. Christopher T. Ford, retired Joint Chiefs of Staff for the U.S. Air Force, Dr. Tina Anderson, Special Education Program Coordinator at the University of Georgia College of Education, Dr. Tracy Alloway, Professor of Psychology at the University of North Florida and many more.

“I am looking forward to presenting on autism at this unique multidisciplinary conference,” said Dr. Stephen Shore, an internationally-recognized autism expert and professor at Adelphi University. ” Learning and collaborating with each other will improve our abilities to support individuals of need in our professions.”

Early bird pricing for registration is now available for $395 until November 15, 2016. Regular attendance is $450 from November 16-December 31, 2016, and late registration is $525 following January 1, 2017. Group discounts are also available.

Registration includes a 3-course plated luncheon with live musical performance by Luci Butler, a music-therapist that has toured with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Moby and has worked with the Institute For Music and Neurologic Function. The symposium will be live web-streamed for individuals who would like to participate worldwide.

Discounted room rates are now available at the World Golf Village Renaissance St. Augustine Resort through January 12, 2017.
Registration is available now through www.ibcces.org/international-symposium-cognitiveresearch-disabilities.
For more information, please contact Kristin Chambers at 904-501-0003, or by emailing kristin@ibcces.org.

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