It's Not Just a Case of the Blues

Washington state is considering eliminating funding for their Youth Suicide Prevention Program (YSPP).  I can't think of a worse idea than to cut funds for a program that if anything, should be over-funded.  We must find better ways to help the youth fight or learn tools in how to deal with bullying and depression.  


Depression affects 19 million people each year and the severity ranges from mild to major and one of the most at risk are teens.  It’s an unseen wound, when left unchecked can worsen over time to the point of debilitation. 

Depression is different than merely being depressed.  We all have those moments of sadness, an off day attributed to everyday living: disappointments, cancelled plans, breakups, another Dallas Cowboys' losing season. You'll get down and then back up, life will go on. 


I mean depression as in someone can’t eat, sleep or summon the will to get out of bed.


I’ve had several clinically depressed close friends in my lifetime, I'm still dear friends with one. They never knew each other, but eerily, both used the word swimming in describing depression.  One described it as “swimming in a murky pool of bad feelings" while another said she continually felt like "swimming in glue with weights tied to your neck".  Swimming. Drowning in every negative emotion and insecurity. For the clinically depressed, that overwhelming feeling of sadness is their life and entire world. I can’t imagine being in pain every waking moment; to not be able to at least identify the source of my sorrow.  Worse still is the stigma associated with depression; as the person is condemned as ‘crazy’ or dismissed as “being a downer”.

If you know someone who’s showing signs of depression, don’t wait, reach out to them. Don’t assume it will blow over or they will find something else to occupy their time.  There is nothing, nothing in this world worse than the feeling of regret for not being there for someone in their hour of need. Believe me.

If you have thoughts of suicide or self harm, please call 1-800-SUICIDE or  1-800-999-9999 from anywhere in the US. There is a person waiting to talk to you twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. If you feel you're suffering from depression, not just a case of the blues, please seek help and don't be afraid. You're not alone. You don't have to suffer in silence.

I’m not sure what made me focus on this topic this week. I had intended to write of autumn with my grandpa, but I don’t think he would’ve minded stepping aside for a moment.

I still remember you, Joshie. I pray you’ve found peace.

Thank you for taking the time to read.


(Thank you "MaryAnn" for the heads up on the WA situation and insight) 

Bulkheads.

"Her sides must be made of iron!" 

A quote attributed to a sailor during the sea battle of the USS Constitution and the HMS Guerriere in the War of 1812, where the cannonballs seemed to bounce off of the USS Constitution's double plank oaken hull.  Hence the nickname "Old Ironsides".

The topic my dear readers, is bulkheads.  It's not a flashy or sexy subject for this week's blog but it's what's on my mind.  A bulkhead is any vertical partition within a ship's hull.  A shipwright may use these to create storage areas to prevent cargo from shifting within a ship's hold or for creation of an airtight compartment in case of damage. It also reinforces the ship's hull for durability as the open ocean waves can create quite a pounding. The bulkheads are cumbersome and weigh the ship down but it's an integral part, born out of necessity.

Me? I just like the idea of safeguarding the ship; to minimize the damage before it reaches the innermost core.  To protect the heart of the vessel, to prevent anything from getting too close; because it's only at close range that the real damage occurs.

And ultimately that's what a bulkhead is. A safety valve.  A means of self preservation.  If you want to get beyond the emergency bulkheads, you have to take time.  Get to know why they're there or you'll never know what's behind them.

But then again, that's the point.

Thank you for taking the time to read.

And the new theme is....

So I've decided.... the theme for my blog is going to be... ?

No theme. 

I've posed the question and ultimately the decision rests upon myself.  To that end I've decided there will be no isolated theme, not strictly tech or geek, comic or media, just simply.... what's on my mind at the time.  Given that I've only a handful of followers, I hardly think this will cause ripples across the web, but I'm giving fair warning.  Some of it may be of interest, some less so, but all will be my own thoughts.

I hope you stick around.  I'd like to know your opinions on the topics.

As always, my thanks for taking the time to read.