Episode 4 Living Spinal Podcast focusing on Depression and Paralysis

Mar 9th 2017

1 in 5 people living with paralysis deal with depression. It's a common response for people when they lose something. We gathered a lot of statistics to explain depression in the paralysis community, how to deal with your own depression and how to help others. On a lighter note, we cover a brand new Kickstarted Wheelchair Dog Walking Device called the Orochi and talk about this year's Los Angeles Abilities Expo.

Available on iTunes and Google Play

Living Spinal Podcast - Episode 4

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Facts on Depression:

1) Depression is a serious medical illness that involves the brain. It's more than just a feeling of being "down in the dumps" or "blue" for a few days. If you are one of the more than 20 million people in the United States who have depression, the feelings do not go away. MentalHealth.gov

2) Depression is even more common in the spinal cord injury ( SCI ) population-about 1 in 5 people. Estimated rates of depression among people with SCI range from 11% to 37%. Washington.edu

3) SCI Depression Self Test - If your score is 10 or higher and you have been feeling this way for more than a week or two, contact your health care provider or a psychologist, psychiatrist or counselor who has experience treating depression. SCI.Washington.edu

4) Overcome stress and negative thoughts. Happify is the single destination for effective, evidence-based solutions for better emotional health and wellbeing in the 21st century. Happify.com

5) Therapy online - talk or text your therapist 24/7. Talkspace.com

6) National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a 24-hour, toll-free suicide prevention service available to anyone in suicidal crisis. If you need help, dial 1-800-273-TALK (8255). SuicidePreventionLifeLine.org

7) University of Washington/Department of Rehabilitation Medicine offers a series of pamphlets, including Depression and Spinal Cord Injury. SCI.Washington.edu

8) Peer mentors - get support from someone in the same situation. Christopher Reeve Peer Mentors

9) Teachers at Ruhr University in Bochum, Germany have found that right- or left-handedness is associated with the spinal cord in utero, not from the brain as claimed in previous studies. www.dailysabah.com

Ashley's Cut

Turtle that can't walk, get's a little help from a hot glue gun and some legos!