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Spirit e-Newsletter | June 2008 | Krist Samaritan Center | Touching Lives, Healing Hearts
We Love Dad | For one day in June, dads all over the country are treated like kings. Father’s Day celebrates a father’s strength, caring and unyielding support. But what happens when the rock of the family is not as solid as he once was? More and more men are coming out about their depression. Spirit takes a closer look at depression in men and what you can do if you think dad is suffering from this damaging disease. So sit back, relax and catch this month’s Spirit. [photo: Father and baby]
Tunnel Vision: Men and Depression | "When you're in the middle of it, you don't know when it's going to end."
This statement is a glimpse into what many men and women feel when they are confronted with depression. Depression is a serious but treatable medical condition that can strike anyone, including men. In America alone, more than 6 million men have depression each year. Whether a company executive, a construction worker, a police officer, or a student; whether rich or poor; surrounded by loved ones or alone—any man can have depression. Some factors, such as family history, undue stress, the loss of a loved one or serious illnesses, can make a man even more vulnerable. If left untreated, depression can lead to personal, family and financial difficulties. With appropriate diagnosis and treatment, however, recovery is possible—there is a light at the end of the tunnel. To learn more about men’s depression, we recommend reading “The Mountains of Our Lives” by Granville “Fella” Knight. Signs of Depression | Not every man who is depressed experiences all of the symptoms below, but it is important to recognize these behaviors and emotions, so you or a loved one can get help. • Persistent sad, anxious or "empty" mood • Feelings of hopelessness • Feelings of guilt or worthlessness • Loss of interest in hobbies and activities • Decreased energy • Difficulty concentrating or remembering • Difficulty sleeping or oversleeping • Appetite and/or weight changes • Thoughts of death or suicide/suicide attempts • Restlessness or irritability • Persistent physical symptoms
Krist Samaritan Center Helps Inner-City Youth Dream Big | The Krist Samaritan Center is proud to be partnering with I Have a Dream (IHAD), a program that inspires Houston’s inner-city youth to believe in themselves and succeed. Hundreds of students from elementary to high school are given long-term mentoring and tutoring as part of the drop-out prevention program to promote higher education. Counselors from the Krist Samaritan Center have been visiting area schools to provide counseling to the students in the program. The counseling provides sound guidance and support to the many children and teenagers who are truly in need. For more information about I Have a Dream, visit www.ihaveadreamhouston.org.
Touching Lives • Healing Hearts
[Photo: Mother and child.]
Location Spotlight | Each month, Spirit spotlights a partnering congregation to reveal how Krist Samaritan Center is touching lives and healing hearts all across Houston. Cypress Area – Cypress United Methodist Church Cypress UMC places emphasis on worship and praise to pursue a stronger relationship with God. Located at 13403 Cypress North Houston, the Center’s Cypress counseling location is staffed on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 8pm by Ava Porterfield, M.A., L.P.C.
| [Photo: Krist Samaritan Center counselor, Ava Porterfield, M.A., L.P.C, and Rev. Jerome Brimmage, Cypress UMC senior pastor, visit in front of the Cypress counseling location.] |
Above: Krist Samaritan Center counselor, Ava Porterfield, M.A., L.P.C, and Rev. Jerome Brimmage, Cypress UMC senior pastor, visit in front of the Cypress counseling location.
Mark Your Calendars! A Samaritan Celebration 2008: October 23, 2008 @ River Oaks Country Club. Chairpersons: Philip and Alice Burguieres. Honorees: Vivien and Scott Caven, Granville Knight, Jr., John Sage, Martha Turner. Click here for more information.
Make a Donation. Click here.
17555 El Camino Real | Houston, Texas 77058 | 281.480.7554 | www.samaritanhouston.org
 
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