Post traumatic stress is something that can happen to anyone. It is described as a normal person's response to an abnormal situation. Please keep in mind that it is treatable and, with therapy, many folks go on to live very productive lives after a … [Read more...]
OREGONIANS TURN IN NEARLY FOUR TONS OF UNUSED AND UNNEEDED PRESCRIPTION PILLS
There are 7,729 less pounds of prescriptions availible for abuse in Oregon thanks to everyone who participated in National Drug Take Back Day the last weekend in April. Modeled on Lines for Life's ground breaking original Drug Takeback, pioneered in … [Read more...]
May- Mental Health Awareness Month
It's time to remove the stigma around mental illness. Speak as openly about it as any physical illness and we will get to a point where people won't hesitate to get the help they need. Imagine if a person had diabetes. We wouldn't expect them to "get … [Read more...]
700 Oregonians Die by Suicide Each Year: Five Times the Homicide Rate
Did you know that, on average, 700 Oregonians die of suicide every year? Or that it’s estimated that more than five million people in the United States have been directly affected by suicide? Most suicidal individuals don’t want to die. They just want to … [Read more...]
When Lives Are Hanging on by a Thread, A Strong Lifeline is Created
When the phone rings on the Lines for Life Suicide Lifeline, it's often someone who has lost touch with their reasons for living. Our trained counselors begin to build a relationship with the callers in a perhaps counterintuitive way: We start by … [Read more...]
April is Alcohol Awareness Month: Are you as aware of your use as your children are
When was the last time you took a good look at the message you are sending to your children about alcohol? If they sense hypocrisy, it could thwart your best efforts to keep them safe. Many concerned parents are quick to encourage their teenage children … [Read more...]
A U.S. vet takes their own life every 65 minutes
The latest update on Veteran Suicides is out - and it's worse than previous estimates. It was shocking enough when an average of 18 US Veterans committed suicide each day. New, more accurate figures move that toll to 22. Which equals one US Vet death by … [Read more...]
Bullying leads La grande teen to hang himself
Jordin Hall had enough. A bullied gay teen in the town of LaGrande, Oregon finally went to the playground and hung himself from a play structure last year. Eventually he was removed from life support. Life support. It's a term to ponder, especially for … [Read more...]
Using Bath Salts Like Playing Russian Roulette With Your Brain, Say Experts
Using the designer drugs known as “bath salts” is like playing Russian roulette with your brain, according to an expert at the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Michael H. Baumann, PhD, Chief of the Designer Drug Research Unit at NIDA’s Intramural … [Read more...]
Oregon Leads the Nation in Rate of Non-medical Use of Pain Pills
This is one top ranking Oregon doesn't want. And the State of Washington is number three on the list.* Prescription pain pill abuse is a huge concern, and Oregon has the highest rate of nonmedical use of prescription pain drugs. This category of drugs … [Read more...]