Topic: Depression

Suicide: Did it have to end this way?

By Christine Anne Piesyk | March 17, 2009 |

“Suicide is not chosen; it happens when pain exceeds resources for coping with pain.”

Suicide.  Self-inflicted death. The pain that drives an individual to commit suicide is mirrored by the pain experienced by those left behind to mourn.

In the past year, suicide has touched a number of families and individuals in our community. Two newly married men.  A high school boy. A college student. A friend. We react with shock that spirals into grief punctuated by a simple question: Why? And “was there something we could have done? Or noticed?” «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: News | No Comments

CAMTAN: Serving the HIV/AIDS community

By Turner McCullough Jr. | December 27, 2008 |

In the current economy, many charities are facing bleak prospects for the coming year. End-of-year donations serve a dual function: boosting the bottom lines of non-profits dedicated to assisting people or meeting specific community needs, and giving donors the opportunity to make tax-deductible contributions that can be applied to their 2008 taxes. Over the next week, we will profile a number of community agencies and organizations who can benefit from your generosity.

CAMTAN is the local organization assisting individuals affected by the HIV pandemic within our own demographic. an IRS certified local 501 (C) 3 non-profit in need of community support.

As 2008 comes to a close, consider making a tax-deductible donation to this Clarksville-based non-profit. Started by a small collective of local ministerial leaders and lay people, the Clarksville Area Ministers Technical Assistance Network (CAMTAN) seeks to provide assistance, support and education to persons affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic and the greater community. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Business, Education, News, Opinion | 1 Comment »

Caregiver Syndrome: Reality for many caregivers dealing with Dementia

By Christine Anne Piesyk | August 23, 2007 |

“Some days I just wanted to crawl into a closet and scream… ”

“One morning I found I simply could not get out of bed. The simple action of pushing back the sheet was too hard. I had nothing left…”

“My mother’s brain is gone, but her body is like the energizer bunny. Keeps on going and going and going … and I can’t keep up. I’m so tired I am getting sick all the time…”

“Dad keeps sneaking out. How can someone who remembers nothing be so clever … he’s an escape artist…”

For the millions of caregivers tackling the challenge of caring for someone with Dementia, most commonly in the form of Alzheimer’s disease affecting a parent, spouse or sibling, things like exhaustion, stress, declining health (their own), anger, rage, guilt and other emotions and issues are “normal.” It’s what happens when otherwise healthy people are suddenly confronted with the 24/7 reality of care-giving. A kind of care-giving measured not in days, weeks, or months, but years.

As Alzheimer’s reaches near epidemic proportions and is affecting ever increasing millions of people who are living longer (if not always better), and the pool of available caregivers shrinks, the pressures are mounting. And caregivers are crumbling under the weight of their complex responsibilities. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Arts and Leisure | 1 Comment »

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