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Religion is good for you, study says

27 Mar 2011 - Preaching the News for Sunday

Salvation and other blessings flow into the human heart “because we have been justified by faith,” writes Saint Paul in the Letter to the Romans. A new survey says faith may also justify increased physical and emotional health. According to a new Gallup-Healthways Well-Being study, Americans who are considered the “most religious” also have the highest levels of well-being. They make healthier choices than their moderately religious and nonreligious counterparts across all four of the study’s “Healthy Behavior Index” categories, including smoking, healthy eating, and regular exercise. In addition, very religious Americans are about 24 percent less likely to be diagnosed with depression than those who are moderately religious and 17 percent less likely to be diagnosed with depression than those who are nonreligious. Religious participation has other benefits as well. Attendance at worship services promotes social interaction and friendship with others, and Gallup analysis has shown that time spent socially and social networks themselves are positively associated with well-being. Religion also generally involves more meditative states and faith in a higher power, both of which have been widely used as methods to lower stress, reduce depression, and promote happiness. Religion provides mechanisms for coping with setbacks and life's problems, which in turn may reduce stress, worry, and anger. Many religions have beliefs about positive relationships with one's neighbors and charitable acts, which may lead to a more positive mental outlook. Source: An article by Frank Newport, Sangeeta Agrawal, and Dan Witters for Gallup

religion worship health happiness united states americans well-being gallup-healthways well-being depression

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The online face of depression

03 Apr 2011 - Preaching the News for Sunday

The reading from the Letter to the Ephesians this Sunday encourages us to “try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord” but to “take no part in . . . fruitless works.” Trying to please their popular peers on Facebook may be a fruitless task for teens with low self-esteem and also contribute to teen depression, doctors warn. Researchers disagree on whether such depression is simply an extension of depression some kids feel in other circumstances or a distinct condition linked with using the online site. But there are unique aspects of Facebook that can make it a particularly tough social landscape to navigate for kids already dealing with poor self-esteem, said Dr. Gwenn O'Keeffe, a Boston-area pediatrician and lead author of new American Academy of Pediatrics social media guidelines. With in-your-face friends' tallies, status updates, and photos of happy-looking people having great times, Facebook pages can make some kids feel even worse if they think they don't measure up, said O’Keefe. "Facebook is where all the teens are hanging out now. It's their corner store," O'Keeffe said. The benefits of kids using social media sites like Facebook shouldn't be overlooked, she added, such as connecting with friends and family, sharing pictures, and exchanging ideas. “A lot of what's happening is actually very healthy, but it can go too far.” Dr. Megan Moreno, a University of Wisconsin adolescent medicine specialist who has studied online social networking among college students, said using Facebook can enhance feelings of social connectedness among well-adjusted kids but can have the opposite effect on those prone to depression. At the same time, she cautioned, parents shouldn't get the idea that using Facebook "is going to somehow infect their kids with depression." The new guidelines urge pediatricians to encourage parents to talk with their kids about online use and to be aware of Facebook depression, cyber bullying, “sexting,” and other online risks. The academy notes that online harassment "can cause profound psychosocial outcomes," including suicide. The widely publicized suicide of a 15-year-old Massachusetts girl last year occurred after she'd been bullied and harassed in person and on Facebook. Source: Articles by Lindsey Tanner for Associated Press and Larry Magid for HuffingtonPost.com

teenagers facebook social networking teens depression self-esteem gwenn okeeffe megan moreno

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More than the economy is depressed

10 Apr 2011 - Preaching the News for Sunday

Out of the depths of despair the psalmist cries to the Lord this Sunday. Three recent studies on depression reveal new characteristics of the affliction suffered by tens of millions nationwide: Music-listening kids are more likely to be depressed than their peers; young adult Mexican migrants in the United States are much more likely to suffer depression than family members who remain in Mexico; and major depression can lead to premature aging of immune cells. Dr. Brian Primack, who headed up the study at the University of Pittsburgh that uncovered the correlation between music and teen depression, said the findings provide valuable tools to clinicians, parents, and teachers for identifying depression in young people. Teens who listened to the most music were 8.3 times more likely to be depressed than those who listened to the least amount of music. Meanwhile, those who read the most were significantly less likely to be depressed than those who read the least. The study of Mexican migrants found that "after arrival in the United States, migrants had a significantly higher risk for first onset of any depressive or anxiety disorder than did nonmigrant family members," according to lead researcher Joshua Breslau. The types of depressive disorders experienced by the young Mexican migrants included major depression and dysthymia, a less severe type of depression with long-term symptoms. The anxiety disorders they suffered included social phobia, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. The study linking depression and premature aging of immune cells indicates that accelerated cell-aging is dependent upon how long someone is depressed, particularly if that depression goes untreated. "As if feeling depressed [were] not bad enough, we are finding that long-term depression may be associated with damage to cells in the body, and this may predispose patients to certain physical diseases," said lead author Owen Wolkowitz. "There's a lot more to depression than feeling blue." Source: Articles by Sheena Goodyear for TorontoSun.com and by HealthDay News and Asian News International

Music teenagers cells teens migrants depression mexicans

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Recession brought shrinking economies, growing suicide rate

22 Sep 2013 - Preaching the News for Sunday

"The Lord . . . lifts up the poor," the psalmist says this Sunday. Many of those made poor by the great recession of 2008 who needed lifting up, however, did not receive it. A new study shows that the economic crisis produced a significant rise suicides in the countries most affected.The study by researchers from the universities of Hong Kong, Oxford, and Bristol found a “marked rise in suicide following the 2008 global economic crisis.” The increases occurred mainly in men, with 5,000 estimated excess suicides in 2009 compared with those expected based on previous trends. Rises seemed to be associated with the size of increases in unemployment. In 2009 there was a 37 percent rise in unemployment in the European and American countries studied, reflecting the onset of the economic crisis in 2008.Several recent studies had shown an increased prevalence of depression or anxiety after the economic crisis, particularly in people who experienced unstable employment or financial problems. That is consistent with the documented rises in suicide during past recessions, such as the Great Depression in the 1930s. Increases in suicide are likely to be the tip of the iceberg of recession-related emotional distress. For every suicide, approximately 30-40 people make suicide attempts, and for every suicide attempt about ten people experience suicidal thoughts.The authors of the study urge people not to see suicide as a normal, inevitable problem but one which is preventable, provided society comes up with some better ways to intervene, observers say. Providing and making people aware of low-cost options are especially important, as are public health efforts to reduce the stigma of mental health and the reluctance to seek help for mental health issues.Homily hint: The depression and anxiety which unemployment and economic hardship can bring have a lot to do with the isolation which the unemployed might feel. Reach out to family, friends, and others in the community who are facing these challenges. Encourage them to get help. If you are in this situation, seek help yourself. The findtreatment.samhsa.gov/ website is a place to start. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number is 800-273-TALK. Sources: Articles on bmj.com and by Alice G. Walton for Forbes

suicide recession unemployment depression shu-sen chang

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Robin Williams’ death brings focus to depression, suicide

17 Aug 2014 - Preaching the News for Sunday

The Canaanite woman in this Sunday’s gospel comes to Jesus desperate for help for her daughter, who was “tormented by a demon.” The death of actor and entertainer Robin Williams this week has focused new attention on the twin demons of grave depression and suicidal thoughts, which all too often go together. The death of Williams at age 63 shocked the nation Monday, and was made even more jarring by the news that his death apparently was caused by suicide. Williams, who had been battling depression, died from hanging himself in his California home, officials said Tuesday. “Robin Williams is someone who was very appealing,” says John Campo, chair of the department of psychiatry at Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center. “He was a person who could not only be incredibly funny, but was also capable of reaching considerable depths. His death puts some cracks in the notion that people who have mental illness are different than you and me, and opens up the opportunity for dialogue about mental illness.” Not only should people be educated about the signs and symptoms of depression, which include sadness, loss of pleasure, loss of energy, social withdrawal, and in some cases, suicidal thoughts, but Campo says more research needs to be done to look into the cause and develop new treatments. “If you look at societal investment and research on diabetes, cancer, or any other major disease, there’s much more money and effort invested in that ahead of suicide or depression,” he says. “Most of us don’t think of suicide primarily as a public health problem." Mental health experts and those who have battled depression say the tragedy also offers a prime opportunity to shine a light on the often stigmatized and misunderstood phenomena of suicide. Cheryl McCullumsmith, MD, PhD, an associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience and UC Health psychiatrist, says suicide should be viewed as an illness, with more research money going to investigate its risk factors and preventative strategies. Homily hint: Serious depression is a terrible disease, in part because it robs one of the will to do the things that can help alleviate its symptoms. Such an illness can spiral into suicidal behavior if left unattended or exacerbated by drugs or alcohol. Someone in your life may be at risk. Pause and run through your list of family, friends, coworkers. Is there someone out there who needs you now? Source: Articles by Keith Herrell for Medicalxpress.com, Jack Thurston for New England Cable News, and Amir Khan for U.S. News & World Report

suicide depression

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A pilot who was tragically misguided

05 Apr 2015 - Preaching the News for Sunday

The reading from Acts of the Apostles this Easter Sunday proclaims, as we can affirm, that “What happened in Judea is now known the world over.” The co-pilot suspected of deliberately crashing an airliner, killing 150 people, had told his girlfriend he was planning a spectacular gesture so “everyone will know my name,” a German paper reported. It has also been revealed that Andreas Lubitz, the man French prosecutors believe locked himself alone in the cockpit of the Germanwings Airbus last week and steered it into the French Alps, informed his airline in 2009 that he had suffered from severe depression. Many questions remain as to why he was still allowed to fly. Homily hint: Lawsuits and trials—sure to come in this case—will never bring back loved one’s lost but aside from providing some justice for the aggrieved families, they can also help clarify standards that need updating and practices that need revision. Pray for those who are grieving, may they find solace in having the full extent of the tragedy aired so as never to be repeated. For more on the airline pilot’s psychological state, see: Co-Pilot’s Ex-Girlfriend Tells of his Psychiatric Problems; Big ‘Gesture’ Plan; Lufthansa Says Germanwings Pilot Reported Deep Depression

depression depression and suicide

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A pilot who was tragically misguided

05 Apr 2015 - Preaching the News for Sunday

The reading from Acts of the Apostles this Easter Sunday proclaims, as we can affirm, that “What happened in Judea is now known the world over.” The co-pilot suspected of deliberately crashing an airliner, killing 150 people, had told his girlfriend he was planning a spectacular gesture so “everyone will know my name,” a German paper reported. It has also been revealed that Andreas Lubitz, the man French prosecutors believe locked himself alone in the cockpit of the Germanwings Airbus last week and steered it into the French Alps, informed his airline in 2009 that he had suffered from severe depression. Many questions remain as to why he was still allowed to fly. Homily hint: Lawsuits and trials—sure to come in this case—will never bring back loved one’s lost but aside from providing some justice for the aggrieved families, they can also help clarify standards that need updating and practices that need revision. Pray for those who are grieving, may they find solace in having the full extent of the tragedy aired so as never to be repeated. For more on the airline pilot’s psychological state, see: Co-Pilot’s Ex-Girlfriend Tells of his Psychiatric Problems; Big ‘Gesture’ Plan; Lufthansa Says Germanwings Pilot Reported Deep Depression

depression depression and suicide

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Homily stories

04 Jan 2009 - Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, Cycle B

For many people, the problem starts in autumn when the clocks are turned back an hour and evening darkness comes earlier. Depending on where a person lives, it is a sign that there will be precious little sunlight to enjoy until winter turns her face toward spring. Days will be shorter and dark nights longer. People respond differently when this happens. Some of God’s creatures adapt to the darkness. They eat and then they hibernate, living off the fat they have put on. Sounds like some people we know, doesn’t it? They take the lack of light in stride. Life goes on for them. A significant number of people, however, fall into depression caused by what has been named “light deprivation.” They can be brought out of it by sitting in front of bright, natural light that surrounds and envelopes them for a period of hours throughout the dark of winter. No matter how we respond, all of us need the spring that follows winter and the light it promises. So, too, our souls demand the light of Christ that comes to us on the Epiphany of the Lord in the middle of winter. Today, the light of the Lord shines upon us and we follow that light, like the magi, and are brought into the brilliant presence of our God made human. And then that light becomes ours to take out into the darkness and share with others.

Authors Father Dominic Grassi

Light deprivation depression spring Epiphany

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