R. Marc Andrews LCSW, QCSW, MS

Counseling and Clinical Supervision

Depression on the Rise in Colleges?

Aug. 12, 2010 — Some mental health problems, including moderate and severe depression, are more common among college students today than in the past, according to a study that looked back 12 years.

I have seen this trend in my own work with gay and lesbian collage students. I think it is important to point out that the increased mental health problems are not so much the result of being gay on collage campuses as was the case 5 years ago, there still remains as constant percentage where this is the case. But as the article points out more early diagnoses and I would add the increased stress that collage students face with a very different job market to face after graduation.

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I Fought Fate, and Fate Won | Guideposts to Happiness

Fate is stronger than me. It may also be wiser. When I quit fighting fate, I find that my life is better than it seemed. There is more to enjoy than I realized, and I learn it is possible to tolerate considerable discomfort and still feel basically happy.

A good article on how to enjoy the life you have as you work towards the life you want. some thing i think we often forget in all our efforts to become some thing other than where we are. how much more life can be if we enjoy where we are and where we want to go.

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Corgis in the Pearl 2010

some great pic from the Crogie walk in the pearl.  Over 100 Corgis and over $4,000 raised for Dove Lewis and the Corgi rescue.http://www.flickr.com/photos/37598311@N00/sets/72157624688875759/

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HIV Infection Does Not Negatively Impact Life Satisfaction And Work Lives Of People With HIV (AIDS 2010) – The AIDS Beacon

Several studies presented at the 2010 International AIDS Conference found that being HIV positive does not affect measures of overall life satisfaction or the ability to have a normal working life.

A lot of good research came out the the AIDS 2010 International Conference.

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San Francisco Sentinel » Blog Archives » AIRING THE TABOO – TOO MANY GAYS UNHAPPY

Evidence shows that gay men are more than twice as likely to attempt suicide. A research project at London’s University College hospital found “significantly higher” rates of mental illness among gay men than their straight peers. “It’s an incredibly sensitive issue that gay men are very defensive about,” said Todd, “because we fought so long to say we’re equal, we’re happy with who we are.

This is a great and well-researched article. One of many important points that it makes it that the higher rate of mental health issues found in the gay and lesbian population is the result of growing up in a homophobic society. It is not inherent in being gay. I am also pleased that it talks about the need for more high profile role models.

This is a must read!

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Gay Parenting | Orr General Store For Parents

LGBT people can be very good parents who raise valuable members to society

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Breathing and Sex – Conscious Breathing Techniques for Greater Awareness

Because our breath is fundamental to both our overall health and our awareness, it can be a powerful tool for sexual exploration. You can actually use your breath to learn more about your sexual body and mind and to expand your experience of sexual pleasure.

Breath is what sustains us on all we do.

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More College Students with Depression, Anxiety | Psych Central News

More college students are grappling with depression and anxiety disorders than they did a decade ago, according to research presented at the annual conference of the American Psychological Association.

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Smartphone Addiction

Computer technologies can be addictive because they’re “psychoactive”; they alter mood and often trigger enjoyable feelings. Email, in particular, gives us satisfaction due to what psychologists call “variable ratio reinforcement.” That is, we never know when we’ll get a satisfying email, so we keep checking, over and over again. “It’s like slot machines,” Greenfield says. “We’re seeking that pleasurable hit.

This one hit home for me. I have been noticing that I am checking email and texts all the time. So I have taken the advice at the end of this article and turned off my alerts. The idea of variable ratio reinforcement is very true. It seems worth going through all those email for Viagra just to get to an email from a friend. Not any more!

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Depression TV From WebMD

Three points that this video talks about that I think are work noting. 1) Both negative and positive events may trigger depression. 2) All of our senses are involved with our emotions. 3) Talking to some one will help relieve the sense of isolation and depression.

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I am a licensed clinical social worker committed to empowering gay men and people affected by HIV/AIDS. I believe that growth is a never-ending process, and I work with clients who are as interested in building the best things in life as they triumph over the worst.

Phone: 503-583-2037
Email: RMA@RMarcAndrews.com

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