My name is Amber Hulgan, and I’m a licensed therapist practicing in Oklahoma. But before I became a therapist, I was simply a daughter who experienced a devastating loss. In 2002, when I was 28 years old, my mom died by suicide. She was only 46. My life has since been divided into two pieces: the years before her death and everything after. My mother battled bipolar disorder and depression for much of her life. Her early years were filled with trauma, and that pain lingered, making her illness even harder to bear. She had moments of light—times when her laughter would fill the room and her energy was contagious. But the darkness she carried was deep, and it eventually consumed her. I want to share my story to help others recognize the warning signs of suicide, navigate the pain of loss, and understand how to intervene effectively. I wasn’t a therapist back then. I didn’t know what to do. I tried my best to help her by reaching out to others, but she felt unloved and like a burden, even though nothing could have been further from the truth. I miss her in ways I couldn’t even fathom back then, and 22 years later, her loss is still a part of me. Losing someone to suicide is different from losing them to illness, old age, or even an accident. The grief is wrapped in shame and unanswered questions, though there’s no shame in what happened. I’ve learned a lo...

Suicide Safety Plan: What It Is, Who Needs It, and Expert Insights Suicide, which remains one of the leading causes of death in the United States, is a crisis that touches millions of lives each year. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2021 alone, 48,000 people—nearly twice the capacity of Madison Square Garden—died by suicide. In the same year, 12.3 million adults seriously considered suicide, 3.5 million made a plan to carry out suicide, and 1.7 million attempted to end their lives. Despite accounting for 50% of the population, men account for nearly 80% of suicides. The elderly, especially those aged 85 and older, have the highest suicide rates, followed by those between the ages of 75 and 84. Amid these grim statistics, suicide prevention efforts have proven to be effective, with significant breakthroughs emerging in recent years. In 2022, a major step was taken towards suicide prevention when the national suicide helpline phone number was shortened to 988. This made a significant impact, but more can be done in suicide prevention by emphasizing the importance of a suicide safety plan. We asked three LifeStance mental health care experts Jillian Bace, LCSW, Dr. Melissa Cobbs, PhD, LCMHCS, LCAS, CCS, and Corinne Melling, LMFT to explain the purpose of a suicide safety plan for...

This content has been updated from the previous article on September 24, 2020. According to A recent Gallup poll, as many as 29% of Americans have been diagnosed with Depression. Depression is a serious mental health condition that requires professional care. Each person with Depression is unique, and treatment plans should be tailored to each person’s needs. Professional care for Depression can involve psychiatric services like Depression Medication Management, Psychotherapy, or a combination of both. These methods are effective for many people, though it might take time to feel relief. If you have already been diagnosed with Depression and have a care plan, that should be your number one priority. If you haven’t yet started psychiatric services or therapy, be sure to find a care team first and foremost. Remember that Depression can be life-threatening when left untreated, but compassionate mental health care providers can help. Follow Your Care Plan If you only have enough energy and focus to start one habit, make it this one. Your Depression care plan may include: Taking medication as directed Going to therapy as often as...

Yogis, rejoice! A recent study conducted by Harvard University shines light on a unique treatment for Depression: this time, it’s hot yoga. Yes, the practice that combines challenging poses with a room hot enough to make you sweat bullets. But can this intense physical regimen really act as a potent antidepressant? Let’s investigate. What is Hot Yoga? Hot yoga is a form of yoga performed in a heated environment, typically ranging from 95 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit with a humidity level of around 40%. The practice often involves traditional yoga poses and breathing exercises, while the heat adds an extra layer of intensity to the experience. The elevated temperature aims to encourage a deeper stretch, detoxify the body through sweat, and offer a unique mental challenge. The 2023 Harvard study further supports findings first carried out in 2015 examining the relationship between hot yoga, specifically Bikram yoga and Depression. According to the study published in the National Library of Medicine, hot yoga has been shown to improve flexibility, balance, and strength, while also offering potential mental health benefit...

This content has been updated from the previous article on September 1, 2022. As we head towards the last month of 2023, coinciding with 3 years post-COVID-19 pandemic, it may be surprising to some that the impact of the pandemic still remains. In 2023, based on a study released by Gallup, we found Depression rates reached an all-time high. The proportion of adults in the United States acknowledging a lifetime diagnosis of Depression has surged to 29.0%, marking a substantial increase of almost 10 percentage points from the statistics recorded in 2015. Concurrently, the percentage of Americans presently diagnosed with or undergoing treatment for Depression has risen to 17.8%, reflecting a notable seven-point uptick over the corresponding period. These figures represent the highest rates documented by Gallup since the inception of Depression measurement through the current data collection method in 2015. It may be surprising to some given the media coverage on the rise in men’s mental health issues, but Gallup’s study found that more than a third of women (36.7%) reported receiving a Depression diagnosis at some point in their lives, in contrast to 20.4% of men. The rate of diagnosis among women has increased at almost double the pace of men since 2017. Within specific age groups, those between 18 to 29 (34.3%) and 30 to 44 (34.9%) exhibit notably highe...

According to NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), 8.3% US adults experience a major depressive episode every year. Additionally, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) report 13.2% US adults take an antidepressant. The most popular Depression Treatment approach for most is through a combination of therapy, typically Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Depression Medication such as antidepressants. In recent years, however, we have seen an increase in holistic or non-medication treatment approaches to Depression. One example of such treatment is running and exercise. This has led to the link between Depression and running being explored more extensively. Many are looking to answer the question, is exercising, running specifically, as successful in treating depression as therapy or medication? How does running really measure up against the long-standing pillars of psychiatric treatment? Can the simple act of putting one foot in front of the other truly be a game-changer for clinical mental health conditions? Let’s find out. Running as a Remedy Over the past few years, there’s been a palpable u...

Divorce is a life-altering event that often leaves people emotionally drained and susceptible to various mental health issues, including Depression. Even when both partners agree that a marriage must end, heartbreak and disappointment can trigger a range of negative emotions—sadness, Anger, confusion, and more. Post-divorce Depression isn’t just about feeling sad—it’s a complex emotional state that impacts your daily life and mental well-being. What is Post-Divorce Depression? Post-divorce Depression is a specific form of Depression that arises as a result of the aftermath of a marital separation or divorce. Unlike the temporary sadness or emotional turbulence often accompanying a breakup, this form of Depression is more enduring. It impacts various facets of life, including self-esteem, daily routines, and social interactions. People experiencing post-divorce Depression often struggle with feelings of worthlessness, guilt, and diminished interest in activities they once enjoyed. Their emotional well-being deteriorates, affecting relationships with family and friends and sometimes leading to physical symptoms like insomnia and...