79 A Christian Guide to Body Stewardship, Diet and Exercise Some of the warning signs of suicide include: • Taking about killing or harming one’s self • Expressing strong feeling of hopelessness or being trapped • An unusual preoccupation with death or dying • Acting recklessly (as if they have a death wish) • Calling or visiting people to say goodbye • Getting personal affairs in order • Saying things like “Everyone would be better off without me” or “I want out” • A sudden change from being extremely depressed to acting calm and/or happy Dealing with issues like anxiety, depression, hopelessness, and suicidal thoughts requires a team approach to include family members and qualified mental health professionals. Examples of qualified mental health professionals include certified or licensed counselors, psychologists, and psychiatrists. In addition to seeking help, a thorough physical exam may be necessary to determine if an undiagnosed physical illness is contributing to these issues. Cedarville University (CU) Counseling Services provides a variety of individual and small group therapies aimed at helping students with their emotional and spiritual needs. Although there is a waiting list for appointments, students at risk of self-harm can be seen right away. For more information, or to schedule an appoint, contact CU Counseling Services at: • http://www.cedarville.edu/Offices/Counseling-Services.aspx • counseling@cedarville.edu • (937) 766-7855 • SSC Rm 163 In addition to CU Counseling Services, other resources to consider for help include dorm resident directors and resident assistants, CU faculty and staff and local church leadership. Sleep As mentioned previously, the amount of sleep an individual gets on a regular basis plays an integral role in their ability to cope with and manage stress. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, only one third of U.S. adults are getting the recommended amount of sleep per night. Unfortunately, loss of sleep has been linked to many health problems and chronic diseases as well as motor vehicle crashes or errors leading to injury or death (CDC, 2020). Although the Bible does not prescribe a specific amount of sleep a person should be getting per night, it does stress the importance of sleep for good physical, mental and spiritual health. In fact, Genesis 2:2-3 says that God himself rested on the seventh day. Obviously, being omnipotent, the act of
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