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ABOUT THE FOUNDATION
Justin, a young, handsome man, full of life and a real ladies man. He had a smile that would light up a room and a wonderful personality. He loved his family and friends. His favorite sports were basketball and football. He loved to pick on his big sister and hanging with his niece and nephew. He wanted to go into the service and become a firefighter. During his Junior year in high school, he started to suffer with depression. We never saw or knew the signs but Justin was determined to be something and make his family proud. But life as we all know got to him.
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I started a non-profit organization in honor of my son Justin, to help young adults to know the signs and deal with depression. The Justin Weathers Foundation helps young adults to know that they are not alone and there are people in this world that care and love them. Bullying was something that Justin didn't like even though he has never bullied he always helped kids that were being bullied.
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DEPRESSION
Each year depression affects 5-8 percent of adults in the United States. This means that about 25 million Americans will have an episode of major depression this year alone. Depression occurs 70 percent more frequently in women than in men for reasons that are not fully understood. Without treatment, the frequency and severity of these symptoms tend to increase over time.
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Depression can be difficult to detect from the outside looking in, but for those who experience a major depression, it is disruptive in a multitude of ways and usually represents a significant change in how a person functions. Depression causes difficulty falling or staying asleep, loss of appetite, the inability to concentrate, poor decisions, loss of energy and ability to perform daily tasks, low self-esteem, feelings of hopelessness, and even constant agitation. Mental healthcare professionals use the criteria for depression in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to develop a diagnosis.
Justin Weathers
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SUICIDE
Suicide is one of the greatest tragedies imaginable for a victim and his or her loved ones. Each year suicide claims roughly 30,000 lives in America, leaving it responsible for slightly more than one percent of all death. Suicidal thoughts and behaviors are a psychiatric emergency emergency and require intervention to prevent.
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Risk factors for suicide include past suicidal attempts, mental illnesses, anyone with depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, and eating disorders. Other risk factors are substance abuse and addiction, intoxication with opiates or alcohol, history of firearm abuse, older age, socially isolated people and even history of trauma.
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Friends and family members can help by encouraging their loved one to seek treatment from professions. Some people could be concerned that the situation could worsen if the topic of suicide is brought is brought up but studies show that this is not the case. Addressing concerns about suicide is helpful in preventing suicide.