Hepatitis: What You Need to Know

Since National Hepatitis Testing Day was last week, it seems as if a discussion regarding Hepatitis, HIV, and Co-Infection is needed to emphasize why such testing days are important and need to be celebrated. It is vital for all people to be tested for Hepatitis (A, B, and C), but it is imperative for those of us living with HIV to be tested on a regular basis. Other than testing, it is important for all, especially those of us living with HIV, to be vaccinated for Hepatitis A and B. Unfortunately, there is not a vaccination for Hepatitis C. It is important to remember that testing and early detection is vital to treatment and survival. Treatment exists for Hepatitis A, B, & C. Presently there is only a cure, relatively new, for Hepatitis C. FDA-approved drugs have recently had a 90% cure rate for HCV; however, the costs related to such meds are expensive but should decrease as competitive medications begin to be approved.

This is a condensed lesson on Co-Infection of HIV & Hepatitis, as well as an explanation of differences among the three most common types of Hepatitis virus: HAV, HBV, and HCV.

Co-Infection HIV & Hepatitis

• Conditions associated with Hepatitis B and C are currently among the leading causes of hospital admission and death in the HIV-infected population
• Therefore, the adequate management of Hepatitis B and C is now being considered a priority in HIV co-infected patients
• Since there is not a 'cure' at this time for Hepatitis B, the main goal of treating HBV/HIV co-infection is to stop or slow down HBV viral activity as much as possible and for as long as possible
• It is important to remember that both HIV and HCV are treatable for most patients, including the majority of HIV-positive people
• Once an individual is either HIV-positive or HEP B/C positive, they are still able to be re-infected with another strain of HIV or HEP virus OR a drug-resistant strain
• Because HBV & HIV are both blood borne viruses transmitted primarily through sexual contact and injection drug use, a high proportion of people at risk for HIV infection are also at risk for HBV infection
• About 1/4 of HIV-infected persons in the United States are also infected with HCV
• There are < 1.2 million people living with HIV in the U.S.

Hepatitis C (HCV)

• HCV is spread primarily through contact with the blood of an infected person
• In 2012, there were an estimated 21,870 cases of acute Hepatitis C virus infections reported in the United States
• An estimated 3.2 million persons in the United States have chronic Hepatitis C infection. Most people do not know they are infected because they don't look or feel sick
• Approximately 75-85% of people who become infected with Hepatitis C virus develop chronic infection
• Today most people become infected with the Hepatitis C virus by sharing needles or other equipment to inject drugs
• The risk of sexual transmission increases for those who have multiple sex partners, have a sexually transmitted disease, engage in rough sex, or are infected with HIV
• Although anyone can get Hepatitis C, some people are at greater risk, such as:
• Current injection drug users (currently the most common way HCV is transmitted in the U.S.)
• Past injection drug users, including those who injected only one time or many years ago
• Recipients of donated blood, blood products, and organs prior to 1992
• People who received a blood product for clotting problems made before 1987
• Hemodialysis patients or persons who spent many years on dialysis for kidney failure
• Recipients of blood or organs from a donor who tested positive for the Hepatitis C virus
• HIV-infected persons
• Approximately 15,000 people die every year from Hepatitis C-related liver disease
• Of every 100 people infected with the Hepatitis C virus:
• 75-85 people will develop Chronic HCV
• 60-70 people will go on to develop chronic liver disease
• 15-20 people will go on to develop cirrhosis over a period of 20-30 years
• 1-5 people will die from cirrhosis or liver cancer

Hepatitis B (HBV)

• Hepatitis B is a contagious liver disease that ranges in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious, lifelong illness
• Hepatitis B is most commonly spread through sexual contact and accounts for nearly two-thirds of acute Hepatitis B cases
• Many people with chronic HBV infection do not know they are infected since they do not feel or look sick. However, they can still spread the virus to others and are at risk of serious health problems themselves
• Hepatitis B is 50-100 times more infectious than HIV and can be passed through the exchange of bodily fluids such as semen, vaginal fluids, and blood
• Although anyone can get Hepatitis B, some people are at greater risk, such as those who:
• Have sex with an infected person
• Have multiple sex partners
• Have a sexually transmitted disease
• Are men who have sexual contact with other men
• Inject drugs or share needles, syringes, or other drug equipment
• Live with a person who has chronic Hepatitis B
• Are infants born to infected mothers
• Are exposed to blood on the job

Hepatitis A (HAV)

• Hepatitis A can range in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a severe illness lasting several months
• Hepatitis A is usually spread when a person ingests fecal matter - even in microscopic amounts - from contact with objects, food, or drinks contaminated by the feces, or stool, of an infected person
• Hepatitis A is the least common of the Hepatitis viruses with only about 3,000 cases in 2012

Bryan Heitz

Risk Reduction Specialist

Wednesday Wisdom

Did You Know?

July 28th is

 

 

For more information about the types of Hepatitis, how it is transmitted, who is at risk, symptoms, vaccinations and more, please visit the CDC website.

 

Need tested? Visit one of our community partners during their regular testing hours:

 

The Center

Southern Nevada Health District

 

 

-ASM

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meet Our Staff: Bryan Heitz

Today is the third installment of "Meet Our Staff," as we're excited to introduce you to CCC's first-ever Risk Reduction Specialist, Bryan!

 

Name: BRYAN HEITZ

What do you do at CCC? 

Currently, I am the HIV Risk Reduction Specialist at CCC. My program is Health Education and Risk Reduction (HE/RR) with a focus on educating people living with HIV (PLWH) in a myriad of areas (dealing with HIV related stigma, drug adherence, risk reduction, transmission, etc.). I work primarily with PLWH who are newly diagnosed, long-term survivors, and those returning to care. I am also responsible for critical, inclusive HIV education within the agency and in the community as a whole.

How long have you been at CCC?

I am three months away from my 1st anniversary at CCC. 

Where are you from originally?

I was born in a small mid-west town named Wabash, IN (most notably for the Wabash Cannonball, being the first electrically lighted city, and the hometown of Crystal Gayle). I grew up with a hippie, nomad mother who moved to and from California often, so I grew up in Mojave, CA and Wabash, IN.

 

What is your favorite vacation spot?

 

I love to travel and am looking forward to embarking on future international travels. In the U.S., my favorite place (vacation or not) is New Orleans. My heart lives in NOLA, and my soul dances to the blues and jazz of that region. I hear the city calling now...

What is your favorite food? 

I have been vegetarian/vegan for almost 25 years. However, this does not mean that I live on salads and tofu alone. My favorite foods come from my two favorite cuisines: Thai and Mediterranean.

Who is someone you look up to or admire and why?

 

The pianist/vocalist/artist/warrior, Diamanda Galas, is someone I truly admire. She has immersed herself in the HIV/AIDS community from the time of the "Plague," through losing family and friends to AIDS, and still fights for PLWH today. She has risen from personal adversity and struggles to become a warrior for us living with HIV and any other marginalized and oppressed group. She exemplifies everything I find admirable, and I am lucky to call her my heroine and dear friend!

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

 

Art, film, and music account for most of my spare time. I spend a lot of my spare time in a space of creativity... writing, photography, and mixed-media art. I also enjoy communing with nature by hiking and exploring the beauty around Las Vegas and Nevada.

What is your favorite place in Las Vegas?

Most of my favorite places are outside of Vegas proper. I try to spend as much time as I can exploring and hiking among Valley of Fire, Red Rock Canyon, and Mt. Charleston. Nevada is full of unique and fascinating day trip destinations to ghost towns, natural springs, etc. that it is a shame to stay in the city when weather permits being outside. In the city, the Wetlands is one of my favorite nature spots to go... It is an unexpected and vibrant getaway from the urban jungle.

 

If you could have any animal as a pet, what would you choose and why?

I have had (or my family has had) plenty of usual and unusual animals throughout my life: skunks, raccoons, fox, scorpions, tarantulas, chinchilla, turtles, rabbits, Burmese Python, spider monkey, dogs and cats (my favorites). If I could have any other animal for a pet, it would be a desert tortoise or a pink flamingo. A desert tortoise because they are almost mythical to me (I've yet to find one in the desert); a pink flamingo because... well, it's a pink flamingo and an ode to John Waters!

 

What would you choose as a career if you were not in this field?

I am committed to critical, inclusive community education related to social justice and equality. However, if I were not in this field, I would definitely be in a more creative arena. I have, in the past, flirted with Interior Design & Costume Design and could see either of those as careers. In dreams, I write screenplays and direct documentaries and art house films... maybe one day dreams will be reality.

What is your favorite thing about working at CCC?

My favorite thing about working at CCC is my ability to make a difference in someone's life and their continued survival with HIV. My goal as a facilitator of education is to empower individuals in order for them to be better consumers of information, to elicit an internal change, and to educate those around them by disseminating critical and accurate information in hopes of neutralizing and de-stigmatizing HIV as an illness.

What words of wisdom do you have to share?

 

One of my favorite quotes from one of my favorite thinkers:

 

"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself." - Friedrich Nietzsche

Did You Know? - The Meditation Edition

This week, with the start of our new Meditation classes, CCC, understandably, has had meditation on the brain! We have a great new meditation room, "Serenity" thanks to our amazing Assistant Executive Director, Patrick Bozarth, and a wonderful instructor in our very own John Relph. Classes are being held every Monday from 5-6pm and Wednesday from 3-4pm, and for a limited time, will cost you only $5 per class.

 

There are numerous benefits of meditation:

 

 

For more information about meditation and its benefits, check out the articles linked below! For more information about CCC's meditation classes, please call us at (702)369-8700!

 

11 Ways How Meditation Adds Value to Your Life

(Source: The Art of Living)

 

How Meditation Can Help Us Heal from Trauma, Pain, and Loss

(Source: Tiny Buddha)

 

The Best Place to Meditate? At Work.

(Source: CNN)

 

Can Meditation Make You 10% Happier?

(Source: Forbes)

 

 

 -ASM

 



 



Wednesday Wisdom

Meet Our Staff: Marilyn Anderson

Today is the second installment of "Meet Our Staff," as we venture into our Diversity, Health & Wellness Program to introduce you to Marilyn!

Name: MARILYN ANDERSON

What do you do at CCC? 

I am the Diversity, Health and Wellness (DHW) Program Coordinator. I work via a SAMHSA grant and our focus population is minority gay men but we are free to test all individuals for HIV and Hep C. We provide testing and treatment for individuals who may or may not be positive. They include referring for substance use, mental health, psychiatry, etc. We also provide case management services to clients by assisting them with housing, job searches, food, medical insurance, clothing, etc.

How long have you been at CCC?

I started at CCC in January 2013 as a DHW Case Manager. 

Where are you from originally?

I was born in Illinois, but raised in Vegas.

What is your favorite vacation spot?

Berchtesgaden, Germany 

What is your favorite food? 

I have way too many for just one favorite, but some of my tops are sushi, foie gras, ma po tofu, and whole steamed crab with ginger and onion! 

Who is someone you look up to or admire and why?

I'll keep the name a secret, but I admire this person because of who they are inside!

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

There are so many fun things to do in my spare time. Having a glass of wine with good friends, watching a movie in bed, vacationing, reading….

What is your favorite place in Las Vegas?

In an airplane above it, watching the lights fade as I fly off to another country!

If you could have any animal as a pet, what would you choose and why?

My little Meg (cat) that I have right now. Why? Because she's awesome!  

What would you choose as a career if you were not in this field?

I'd write novels

What is your favorite thing about working at CCC?

I adore the people I work with… best bunch ever! 

What words of wisdom do you have to share?

"The heart has its reasons which reason knows nothing of." - Pascal 

Serodiscordant Relationships: What You Need To Know

Viral Suppression, Risk, and Serodiscordant Relationships: Should Serodiscordant couples practice safer sex practices? What's the real-life risk of HIV transmission? 

Remember seroconversion from your HIV 101: the physiological conversion from being HIV negative to becoming HIV positive. HIV statuses are reported in terms of positive and negative. Thus, Serodiscordant couples, also referred to as Magnetic Relationships, are those couples where one partner is HIV – and the other partner is HIV +.

As we enter the fourth generation of HIV, we are surviving the disease and living longer lives than those in previous generations. Along with this amazing gift of survival, HIV positive men and women are faced with a myriad of new issues including mixed-status dating and relationships, creating a number of Serodiscordant couples. Serodiscordant couples are presented with a unique set of circumstances to circumvent in order to have an open relationship and a healthy, safe sex life. 

In a 2013 article, John Sovec discusses how Serodiscordant couples are faced with more anxiety and fear than many relationships due to the fear of unintentional HIV transmission: often both the positive partner fears transmitting HIV and the negative partner fears becoming infected. Other challenges include worries regarding HIV care if the positive partner becomes sick, finding psychosocial support for both partners (more services available for the negative partner in a Serodiscordant relationship are needed), and issues of disclosure (who do you tell that your partner is positive?) to name a few. Creating an open dialogue is crucial for any healthy long-lasting relationship; however, it may be more crucial for Serodiscordant couples due to the health risks involved in keeping secrets and lack of communication. "These worries can create a barrier to true intimacy and leave each partner feeling unfulfilled. This is a time when each partner must risk talking about his or her needs, what forms of sexual contact feel safest, likes and dislikes, and how the couple can find ways to keep their sex life active and intriguing."

Are safer sex practices necessary in a Serodiscordant relationship if the HIV positive partner is in treatment, seen regularly by a doctor, and is undetectable? 

 Serodiscordant couples persist with a silent goal in mind: to keep the HIV negative partner negative and to keep the HIV positive partner healthy and undetectable. The goal of becoming undetectable, or viral suppression, is two-fold. One, viral suppression is key in HIV positive people to maintain a healthy CD-4 count, an undetectable HIV viral load, and long-term survival. Second, viral suppression is integral to HIV Prevention due to the fact that having an undetectable viral load carries a low to no risk of HIV transmission depending upon the research. 

Research conducted and reported upon over the last several years regarding Serodiscordant couples and HIV transmission, when the HIV positive partner is undetectable, cumulatively suggest that the real life transmission of HIV between mixed-status partners is extremely low to none. Most recently, the PARTNER study (a study on HIV transmission among Serodiscordant couples where viral suppression is reached in the HIV positive partner) reported on their findings after the first 2-year mark (the full report will be expected in 2017 after the final phase of the study is complete). The findings are remarkable and may offer astounding news about preventing HIV transmission with or without condom use. The unique thing about this study in regard to many earlier studies is that both heterosexual and homosexual couples and sex are included in this study: data from over one thousand mixed-status couples and thirty thousand sexual encounters were collected. Two years into the study, not one instance of HIV has been transmitted regardless of condom use, regardless of whether the couples engaged in anal or vaginal sex. The study also reports that the maximum chance of HIV transmission during viral suppression is 1% for anal sex (insertive or receptive) and 4% for anal sex with ejaculation (with a receptive negative partner). "When asked what the study tells us about the chance of someone with an undetectable viral load transmitting HIV, presenter Alison Rodger said: Our best estimate is it's zero." 

Does this mean that those of us in Serodiscordant relationships can toss out the condoms? Not necessarily; however, this is extremely optimistic and viral suppression may be one of our greatest weapons in the arsenal to contain HIV and move closer to the goal of an AIDS-free generation. It is imperative to remember that open and honest communication regarding condoms, unprotected sex, and risk associated with various sexual acts, etc. is necessary for Serodiscordant couples to make their own decisions based on facts and personal decisions. Ultimately, it is up to the individuals within the couple and centers on the HIV positive partner's adherence history and viral load.

Personally, my partner and I have been together for nearly 8 years. We began dating less than a year following my HIV diagnosis. To this day my partner is HIV negative. I become livid when it is assumed that he is HIV positive simply because I am and we are in a relationship. I do not become upset out of shame or fear, but because of the ignorance in that assumption: it is impossible for two mixed-status individuals to have a healthy, 'normal' long-term sexual relationship without both ending up HIV positive. Yet, this assumption is partly to blame for why we see young gay men seek out HIV infection; why some HIV – allow themselves to seroconvert (become HIV +); and why PrEP is being peddled to Serodiscordant couples. 

Hopefully research will continue to support the findings of low to no risk of HIV infection with ART therapy & viral suppression and HIV concerns will no longer be a part of the equation for love and healthy relationships. 

For further reading: 

Should HIV Serodiscordant Couples Always Take Preventative Measures? Experts Debate

Undetectable Viral Load Essentially Eliminates HIV Transmission Risk in Straight Couples 


Bryan C. Heitz
Risk Reduction Specialist
Community Counseling Center  

Wednesday Wisdom

Meet Our Staff: Mark Brana

Community Counseling Center has an amazing staff who works tirelessly every day to change lives for the better, and we'd like you to meet them!

Mark has graciously offered to be our first victim participant. So, without further ado...

 

Name: MARK BRANA

What do you do at CCC? 

I  recently became a Co-Occurring Disorders counselor, so now I will be spending most of my time working out of our Henderson location, but before that, I worked in the Substance Abuse Department. I ran both Stress Impulse/Anger Management groups as well as a Men's Recovery group. I also do individual sessions and have been trained in EMDR. I work with a variety of clients, including clients who have experienced trauma. I enjoy working with my clients and seeing the progress they make. 

How long have you been at CCC?

I started interning at CCC on July 7th, 2013 and was hired as a full-time employee May 1, 2014. 

Where are you from originally?

I grew up in Northern Minnesota, approximately 2 hours from the Canadian Border. Yes, it's cold there. 

What is your favorite vacation spot?

I like to travel to places I have never been, so I can't pick just one place. Although I do have to say I found spending time in Eastern Europe very enjoyable. 

What is your favorite food? 

I have missed very few meals in my lifetime. I enjoy all foods, and often eat Chinese food. My wife does the cooking for the most part. The easier question to answer is what foods don't I like. Beets, I hate beets.

Who is someone you look up to or admire and why?

I look up to anyone taller than me; it's hard to look them directly in the eyes without doing so. I admire my grandfather who passed away in May 2013. I would say I am most like him in my demeanor, sense of humor, and outlook on life. He lived an exemplary life and I can only hope to be half as exemplary as he was.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Spare time? I have not heard of the concept. Lately, I have spent my spare time changing diapers and trying to figure out how I am going to deal with my daughter when she is 16. I am thinking she won't date until she is 50. I enjoy playing sports and working out. I also enjoy riding my motorcycle and playing guitar. I read, although rarely, when I find something that interests me. 

What is your favorite place in Las Vegas?

Anywhere I go with my wife, friends, or family. I do not particularly enjoy gambling or being on the Strip.

If you could have any animal as a pet, what would you choose and why?

I would have a lion. Why?? See the first part of the 'spare time' question, I think this would help. Otherwise, I would have a dog. I like having dogs because they are loyal and not as snobby as cats. 

What would you choose as a career if you were not in this field?

It's hard to say. At one point in my life, I was going to go into law enforcement. I also thought about being a helicopter pilot, but I'm afraid of heights. This also made being an astronaut a difficulty. I would probably have to say a professional fisherman. Getting paid to fish, how do I get into that?

What is your favorite thing about working at CCC?

I enjoy the people I work with and the freedom to do my job my way. Some agencies are focused on one type of therapy and do not allow clinicians the freedom to be themselves. I think being too narrow-minded and focused on only one approach is detrimental to any agency. Being open and free to explore gives you the most opportunity to help clients.

What words of wisdom do you have to share?

When life is getting you stressed, just take a deep breath and remember: It's just life, no one gets out alive.

Did You Know?

16 Damaging Myths About Depression You Need To Stop Believing

(Source: Buzzfeed.com)

1. MYTH: Depression = sadness.

"Ugh, I'm so depressed," said pretty much everyone at some point or another. And even though most people don't mean it literally, a lot of people still think of depression as an exaggerated form of sadness. And it's not. "The range of human experience includes feeling sad -- but the experience of depression, feeling extreme sadness, hopelessness or helplessness is not a healthy range of human emotion," psychologist and author of "Living with Depression," Deborah Serani, Psy.D., tells BuzzFeed Life. 

2. MYTH: You can "snap out of it." 

Many people believe depression is a personality trait, characteristic, or mindset, says Serani. "They think it's a behavior that can be changed with tough love like 'just snap out of it,' or with helpful remarks like 'take a walk and you'll feel better.'" If only it were that easy. You can snap out of it no easier than you can snap out of the flu.

3. MYTH: Depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain.

Sure, this is a step up from believing that your depression is a mindset you can snap out of, but pinpointing low serotonin levels as the main cause is still incorrect. "Depression arises from an interplay of genetics, biology, environment, social experiences, and learned behaviors," says Serani. "Understanding how your own unique biology and the biography of your life influence each other will help you understand how depression touches your life -- and how to treat it successfully." 

4. MYTH: Depression feels the same for everyone.

Depression exists on a spectrum of intensity and can vary from mild to profound, and everything in between. "Depression is not a one-size-fits-all," says Serani. Resist the urge to compare your experience to someone else's or judge when someone's depression manifests in a way you're not familiar with. 

5. MYTH: Depression comes in one form.

When you talk and think about depression, chances are you're thinking about major depression--but while major depression is common, affecting nearly 7 percent of US adults a year, it's not the only type of depressive disorder. 

Persistent depressive disorder (PDD)--aka dysthymia--is a low-grade chronic form of depression with many of the same symptoms, including low energy, apathy, and stress. Postpartum depression and seasonal affective disorder fall under this umbrella. Depression is also a large part of bipolar disorder, where mood cycles from severe or mild highs to severe lows. 

6. MYTH: Depression is all in your head. 

This phrase should be nixed from your vocabulary, tbh. It minimizes the illness, says Serani, and implies not only that a person is creating depression through their thoughts, but also that their symptoms are only emotional. "Depression is an illness that touches the mind and the body. It corrodes how you think and feel, as well as wrangling your body in seriously negative ways," she says. 

In fact, research shows that depression has a biological effect on the body. It can slow down brain function, create muscle fatigue, lower the immune system, and decrease heart function.

7. MYTH: It's a women's disease.

Yes, women are nearly twice as likely to have depression as men, but that doesn't mean men are safe from depression. In fact, men are often made to suffer in a unique brand of silence, masking their illness in other issues like substance abuse, risky behaviors, and overworking themselves at the office thanks to damaging expectations of masculinity that discourage showing "weakness" and emotion.

8. MYTH: You can always tell when someone is depressed.

We know -- depression is often depicted by black and white images of sad young white women clutching their heads or looking out windows... which, no. Just like depression feels differently to everyone who suffers from it, it never looks the same, either. Not to mention that many people choose to mask what they're going through because of the stigma that surrounds mental illness. This campaign shows what depression really looks like. 

9. MYTH: Your depressed partner will eventually get better if you love them enough. 

It's a nice thought--but one that belittles the serious mental condition that your partner is dealing with. Depression doesn't go away because life is good, so if you date someone with depression, don't expect that to change just because you give them a fairytale ending. 

That said, there are things you can do to help your partner. "Helping your loved one keep appointments, stay in therapy, take medication, refill prescriptions, avoid toxic situations and people, helping to create a supportive warm environment, and making sure healthy eating and sleeping occur are very important ways your love can heal," says Serani. 

10. MYTH: Depression is cured by antidepressants. 

It'd be great if taking antidepressants worked the same way as popping some DayQuil for a cold, but that's unfortunately not the case. The treatment of depression (note: not the cure) involves many moving parts, only one of which may be antidepressants. Some people--maybe even as many as one in four--were worse off on antidepressants than nothing at all. 

11. MYTH: You have to be on antidepressants for the rest of your life.

Nope--a depression diagnosis is not synonymous with a life-long script. Antidepressants can be used for short-term treatment, as part of a long-term regimen, or not at all. Just as depression has no one set list of symptoms, treatment isn't one-size-fit-all, either. Many prefer therapy or a combination of both. 

12. MYTH: How you deal with depression is a sign of mental strength or weakness.

Depression is what Serani calls an "invisible illness," making it easy for people who haven't experienced it to think it can be overcome with hard work and mental strength. This misconception can be super damaging, because it can discourage someone from seeking treatment and perpetuate the idea that those who are suffering, take medication, or see a therapist are weak. 

"Like cancer, heart disease or diabetes, depression is not an illness that can be brushed aside, ignored or willed away. It is a life-threatening illness that is serious, but treatable," says Serani. 

13. MYTH: You need a reason to be depressed.

Painful incidents can absolutely trigger situational depression, but tragic life events like the death of a loved one, divorce, or trauma are enough to make anyone feel sadness, emptiness, and many other symptoms associated with depression. Clinical depression, on the other hand, occurs without a specific trigger setting it into motion, says Serani. 

14. MYTH: You can be too young to be depressed. 

Actually, rates of childhood and adolescent depressive disorders rival those of adults, with 10 to 15 percent of children and teens suffering at any given time. Even as many as one out of 40 babies can have depression and four percent of preschoolers. 

15. MYTH: There is nothing you can do yourself to alleviate symptoms of depression.  

While there is nothing more annoying than the assumption that someone can get over depression through exercise, meditation, and other lifestyle changes, research does point favorably toward these being good methods of dealing with depression symptoms. Here are some self-care ideas to get you started. 

16. MYTH: A depression diagnosis means your life is over.

There's no getting around it. Depression is hard. So hard. And sometimes it can take so much out of you that it feels impossible to look forward. But it won't always be that way. "Many people with depression can lead rich and productive lives," says Serani. "With proper treatment, a person with depression can find meaning and success."

Wednesday Wisdom

Community Cares: July 2015

This month, Community Cares is taking on two projects!

1. Book Drive

We will be collecting new and used books! 

Please feel free to donate or lend* books related to therapy, wellness, self-help, etc. to include in CCC's new staff library (coming soon!)

* If you intend to lend books ONLY, please be sure that your name is clearly labeled inside the book covers so they can be returned to you

OR

Donate new/used books of any subject matter/genre to include in a collection to be made available for anyone (staff/clients) to borrow!

2. Water Drive

 

We will also be collecting new/unopened bottled water!

Water will be given to Do T.E.L.L. Ministries and distributed to homeless individuals in Las Vegas  during this brutally hot summer month!

All donations should be given to a front desk staff member (clients/visitors) or delivered to CCC's downstairs kitchen (staff). 

Thank you for your generosity!

-ASM