LETTERS: SEEK HELP IF YOU ARE DEPRESSED

To the editor:

In response to the recent article regarding police response to suicide attempts, I would like to offer some additional information that may be of interest to the general public and most especially to those individuals who may be affected in some way by the issue of suicide.

First, suicide is a symptom of depression, a common illness that can be treated, usually quite successfully. Depression does not occur through some fault or personal weakness. It occurs due to a complex interaction of genetic, biochemical and situational factors. No one should suffer needlessly. There is no more reason for hesitation in seeking treatment for depression than there is for seeking treatment for high blood pressure, diabetes or any other medical problem.

As part of an agency that has for many years provided crisis intervention services throughout Southeast Missouri, I feel it is important to let the public know that these resources are available locally. Community Counseling Center offers 24-hour assessment and intervention services to anyone in need. Individuals dealing with any mental health emergency may walk into the center during business hours to receive services. After regular business hours, they may access our emergency services by calling our crisis and referral line at 1-800-356-5395. In addition, our crisis-response team is often mobilized at the request of local emergency departments. Our agency works closely with the Cape Girardeau Police Department. It has been our experience that the local police department does an excellent job of dealing with potentially suicidal individuals, and we are grateful for the way in which the department works with our agency.

Community Counseling Center also offers community-awareness and educational presentations and can provide to local civic or church groups, schools and business organizations presentations on depression, suicide prevention or other mental health topics. Other local resources also exist, including support groups, treatment programs and private health-care providers.

I hope this information will be helpful in clarifying services available to the public and to local emergency personnel. We would certainly encourage anyone in need of such services to contact us. Most importantly, we would encourage individuals suffering from any emotional or behavioral disorder to seek professional services before the illness or situation escalates to the point of becoming a medical emergency. Mental health problems, like other illnesses, are most successfully treated when addressed early. A full range of services is available from public and private mental health-care providers.

CLAIRE A LAFOON

Director of Education

Community Counseling Center

Cape Girardeau