threaten to crush us, thoughts of suicide
can seem like the only way out. It is not.
There are ways to decrease the pain, and
eventually--for most--to be free of it. This
pain is known as a clinical depression, dif-
ferent from the occasional `blues' everyone
experiences or the grieving that occurs ini-
tially from the loss of a loved one.
ing Jesus in your life provides comfort,
strength and guidance as you do your part in
regaining your health.
covery. Medication is often prescribed along
with the therapy sessions. For the great ma-
jority of sufferers, the correct medication
provides substantial relief in two to three
weeks. This enables a return to regular rou-
tine and even happiness again. The concur-
rent therapy sessions give an opportunity to
explore the cause of this depression.
tor you should be working with is a mental
health counselor, psychologist or psychia-
trist. Don't be afraid to ask for a referral to
another professional if you are not making
progress with the current one.
help.
clude reading previously�prepared lists of
things and people you love; calling a friend
to talk to; calling a suicide hotline; nurturing
sic or comedy show till the thoughts
pass and you are safe.
day. Reach out to people who care
about you and strengthen those re-
lationships. Confide in your corps
officer, pastor or trusted Christian
friend.
day. This will further strengthen re-
lationships and build up a reservoir of good
feelings about yourself.
Talking with them can help you cope.
you. And, hopefully one day you'll be more
interested in living your life than in trying to
end it.
children, then you must honor that and fo-
cus on addressing your feelings. If no such
prohibition exists, then it is crucial that you
focus attention on your family relationships
because of the challenges that minor chil-
dren of incarcerated parents face.
grief and embarrassment; to anxiety and
concern about their care; to the many
changes resulting from your absence from
the family. They try to find ways to cope
with or ease the pain. Some withdraw, while
others act out or turn to substance abuse.
Some get in trouble with the law.
them and that they will be taken care of.
They also need to know that you are okay.
caregiver, a plan of consistent contact
with the children can be done: regu-
lar visits, calls and letters. Plan your vis-
its. Think of games you can play togeth-
er and things you can talk about, such
as what's going on with school, church
and home. Tell them of your daily routine,
what kind of food you eat. They are con-
cerned about you, and want to know some
things about your life away from them.
is also an example to your children. Are
there classes you can take on parent-
ing or other subjects? Do you need to
get your GED, or do you want to con-
sider taking some college classes?
portant that you acknowledge and pro-
cess your feelings. Journaling helps, as
does talking with the prison chaplain
or counselor. Talking to fellow inmates
who are experiencing life away from mi-
nor children may be helpful as well.
ily, still deepen your relationships, still pro-
vide encouragement and counsel to your
children. You can still share in their joys and
disappointments. You remain their par-
ent. It now takes much more work and cre-
ativity. But the return on your investment
in their lives may be immeasurable.
times and have met with counselors
to try to change my way of thinking.
I still think about killing myself all
the time. Can you help me?
children are growing up without
me. This really upsets me. I don't
know what to do.
Need help with relationship problems, spiritual questions, parenting situations?
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