13 Sep 2019

NEW LOCAL COUNSELING BUSINESS OFFERS
13 WARNING SIGNS RATHER THAN “13 Reasons Why”

September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and Brandon’s Newly Opened Cope Well Counseling Wants their Community to Know the Warning Signs

BRANDON, FL (Sept. 3, 2019) – Experienced licensed mental health counselors Dr. Dominick Gulli and Tammy Alsing have combined their 45 years of practice to launch Brandon’s newest counselling business called Cope Well Counseling. The opening comes ahead of September’s National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and on the heals of the recent “13 Reasons Why” season 3 premiere of the popular but controversial Netflix teen drama that centers around a main character who commits suicide.

“Talking about suicide is still considered taboo by many. We’ve got to remove the stigma from talking about suicide, that’s the big thing,” said Dr. Gulli, a retired Army veteran who also works at MacDill Air Force Base and says more than 20 vets complete suicide daily. “The National Alliance for Mental Health (NAMI) noted research indicating that 46% of people who die by suicide had a known mental health condition which means more than half do not. Suicide thoughts and gestures don’t represent deviance, but they represent distress. Therefore, it is important to view suicide ideation and behavior as a means through which people express their distress, pain and unhappiness. Like any other health emergency, it’s important to address suicide quickly and effectively. For a service member, it can become more complicated if they are dealing with PTSD and the like. Anyone can become suicidal given the right set of circumstances.”

13 WARNING SIGNS OF SUICIDE:

The behaviors listed below may be signs that someone is thinking about suicide.

  1. Talking about wanting to die
  2. Looking for a way to kill oneself
  3. Talking about feeling hopeless or having no purpose
  4. Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
  5. Talking about being a burden to others
  6. Sleeping too little
  7. Sleeping too much
  8. Withdrawing or feeling isolated
  9. Showing rage
  10. Talking about seeking revenge
  11. Displaying extreme mood swings
  12. Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
  13. Acting anxious, agitated or recklessly

The following suicidal behaviors are a psychiatric emergency. If you or a loved one starts to take any of these steps, seek immediate help from a health care provider or call 911:

  • Collecting and saving pills or buying a weapon
  • Giving away possessions
  • Tying up loose ends, like organizing personal papers or paying off debts
  • Saying goodbye to friends and family

SUICIDE RISK FACTORS:

  • A family history of suicide
  • Previous suicide attempts
  • Alcohol and/or Drug Abuse
  • Access to firearms/other lethal means
  • A mental health condition
  • A history of self-harm
  • A serious or chronic medical illness
  • A history of trauma or abuse
  • Prolonged stress
  • A recent tragedy or loss
  • Limited access to healthcare
  • Chronic sleep disturbances

Alsing spent 19 years counseling for Hospice and currently acts as a military child and family advocate working in the Hillsborough County school system. She said “Cope Well understands that people from different backgrounds have different values, practices, and beliefs, and we’re sensitive to those differences when working with individuals and families in therapy. Often, at the center of personal struggles is grief and loss issues – which can include the death of a loved one, loss of career, loss of identity and more.”

“Many people have a negative view of counseling due, in part to how they were raised,” said Alsing. “Messages like ‘don’t talk about it, don’t share, keep your feelings to yourself, it’s a sign of weakness’ make people less likely to reach out when they need the help most. We’re hoping to change that belief, and help people view counseling as a strength, rather than a weakness.”

Contact Cope Well Counseling to learn more about suicide risk factors and crisis resources available to help people cope. Cope Well offers a FREE initial consultation and extends discounts to income-eligible self-pay clients, active military, military veterans, currently active law enforcement, first responders and teachers. Call (833) 426-7464 or visit www.copewellcounseling.com.

ABOUT COPE WELL COUNSELING ASSOCIATES
Dr. Dominick Gulli and Tammy Alsing are Licensed Mental Health Counselors in private practice doing business as “Cope Well Counseling Associates.” They have more than 45 years of combined clinical counseling experience working with adults, adolescents, couples, families, corporations and the military community. You’ll be in competent and compassionate hands as they uphold the highest professional and ethical standards of practice. Whether you need help improving yourself, your relationships, healing past hurts, coping with grief and loss, or adjusting to life transitions, rest assured that you will receive the individualized care you need. You’ve taken a big step in looking for what help is out there. Reach out to Cope Well Counseling Associates, they’ll help get you started down a happier and healthier road! It’s time to learn how to cope well so you can live better.

Visit www.copewellcounseling.com for more information or to request a complimentary consultation.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Press Contacts: Dr. Dominick Gulli, Psy.D. LMHC or Tammy Alsing, MA, LMHC

Phone: (833) 426-7464
E-mail: info@copewellcounseling.com