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Welcome. Your Life matters to me.
This page is dedicated to helping people move beyond depression and choose to live!
Globally, more than 350 million people of all ages suffer from depression. It is imperative to increase awareness of depression and suicide while making prevention a priority.
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Mission:
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The mission of Your Life Matters to Me is to introduce the new concept that depression may be more a condition of the spirit than a disease of the mind and can be resolved by empowering people to discover a sense of self and purpose. To educate people about depression awareness and the signs of depression and to help prevent depression and suicide. To provide people with the tools to heal themselves by using Reiki, energy medicines, and proven mentoring practices.
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Vision
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To be the recognized resource for people experiencing depression or thoughts of suicide to transform lives into ones they view to have value and purpose.
What is Depression & Warning Signs
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Depression does not discriminate. Globally, more than 350 million people of all ages suffer from depression. It is the leading cause of disability worldwide and is a major contributor to the global burden of disease.​​
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression is a common disorder characterized by sadness, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt, low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, feelings of tiredness, and poor concentration. Depression can be long-lasting or periodic, impairing an individual’s ability to function at work, school, or cope with daily life. It is like a fog that takes over the mind and turns all thoughts against a person. Although you cannot heal or save someone, you can show you care and be the inspiration for them to heal themselves.
SIGNS OF DEPRESSION
How do you know if someone is silently suffering from depression?
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​Depression is not always obvious. In fact, on the surface, a friend of loved one might even appear happy. Because depression is a painful condition, both for the person suffering from it and his or her loved ones. It's important to be aware of possible signs of depression. The earlier it is detected, the earlier the person suffering depression can begin the journey toward healing.
7 SIGNS OF DEPRESSION
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Loss of interest in things that were previously pleasurable
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Sleep difficulties: trouble falling asleep or waking up during the night or the early hours of the morning.
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Overeating or appetite loss
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Anger and irritability
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Expressing negative thoughts
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Suicidal ideas
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Loss of confidence in oneself and optimism about the future
Article from Web MD
Signs you suffer from depression
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​It’s not uncommon to feel sad, lonely, or depressed at times. These feelings are a normal reaction to loss or life’s struggles. But when these feelings become overwhelming, cause physical symptoms, and last for long periods of time, they can keep you from leading a normal, active life. If you’ve been experiencing any of the symptoms below, you could be suffering from depression. ​
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Trouble concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions
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Fatigue
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Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and helplessness
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Pessimism and hopelessness
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Insomnia, early-morning wakefulness, or sleeping too much
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Irritability​
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Restlessness
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Loss of interest in things once pleasurable, including sex
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Overeating, or appetite loss
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Aches, pains, headaches, or cramps that won’t go away
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Digestive problems that don’t get better, even with treatment
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Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” feelings
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Suicidal thoughts or attempts​
Tools to help others:
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How to Speak to Someone Contemplating Suicide
People want to know their life matters. When someone is in distress, reach out to them. Ask them if they are all right and if there is any way you can help.
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If you know a person is contemplating suicide, talk to them about it! Do not pretend it is not happening.
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Stand in front of them, look into their eyes, and ask if suicide is something they are thinking about or planning. Their response will determine the level of urgency with which you need to act.​
If someone is thinking about suicide:
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Let them know how hurt or devastated you would be if they took their life.
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Tell them that their life matters to you. List the reasons why they matter to you.
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Provide comfort and emotional support for them.
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If you cannot be with them, arrange for them to spend time with a friend/loved one.
If they are planning their suicide:
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Let them know how hurt or devastated you would be and let them know that their life matters to you.
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It is time to take appropriate actions which could include removing weapons, especially guns that are often used in the heat of the moment to commit suicide.
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Ask them how they plan to commit suicide and then remove the things they plan to use.
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You may want to plan a family/friend intervention, with each person playing a supportive role in helping your loved one get through their upset.
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Call the Suicide Prevention Hotline or therapist for additional help.
We are one family. Each life lost to suicide affects us all. You never know when your kindness and encouragement will save a life.
Tools to help yourself
Please note: This website is for educational and informational purposes only and may not be construed as medical advice. The information is not intended to replace medical advice offered by physicians.
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The remedies I share are some of the ones I used to heal from depression. Be open to trying new things and then continue working with what feels best to you. I highly recommend using “Energy Healing Therapies” such as Reiki treatments and Acupuncture in combination with “Energy Medicines” from Nature. Healing will happen sooner when you focus on healing your Entire Person….body, mind, and spirit. If you would like help from someone who has been there and healed themselves from depression, I offer Energy Readings & Healing sessions where we determine the best remedies for you. Contact me at info@YourLifeMattersToMe.com or message me on Facebook.​
I love this book! Purchase or borrow it from your library, YOU CAN HEAL YOUR LIFE by Louise Hay. It is a magical and simple guide to get you back on your path to wholeness. I used it in the beginning of my journey and have referred to it ever since. This book makes a great gift for loved ones and friends who are starting their healing journey. In fact, give this book along with a card that lists all the reasons why this person matters to you.
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You Can Heal Your Life – Gift Edition
Depression Statistics
I have listed links to understand depression better and the different types of depression.
Suicide Statistics
Suicide is a major public health concern. Suicide is among the leading causes of death in the United States. Based on recent mortality data, suicide in some populations is on the rise.
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About Me
My Why
At 13 years old, I learned the devastating effects of depression and suicide when my mother, who had suffered from severe depression, committed suicide. At the time, talk about depression and suicide were taboo. After my mother’s suicide, the fog of depression filled me. I hid behind a happy face but inside I was filled with guilt from not being able to save her. I secretly thought that my mother’s example might also be my fate. It was not until I turned 30 that I chose to live and move beyond depression. I healed myself by using Reiki, hands-on healing, and energy medicines.
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Globally, more than 300 million people of all ages suffer from depression, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Depression is a common disorder characterized by sadness, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt, low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, feelings of tiredness, and poor concentration. It can be long-lasting or periodic, impairing an individual’s ability to function at work, school, or cope with daily life.
I have found that the cause of depression has to do with not being true to yourself. Years of pleasing others at your own expense, not following your intuition or feelings, and reacting to daily stressors causes you to leave bits and pieces of your energy behind. As you become depleted, you lose your sense of self and purpose in life. You lose your vision for the future. Like my mother, you think you don’t matter.
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I also learned that depression can be more a condition of the spirit than a disease of the mind. When you heal your spirit, you heal a multitude of other issues like stress, anxiety, constant negative self-talk and even depression. It worked for me…you can choose to live and start healing while suffering from debilitating depression. You will learn simple tools to start this process at Your Life Matters to Me.
Your Life Matters to Me, offers alternative causes for depression and methods to clear the fog and live a life with meaning and purpose.
Take a look at Julie as she takes the steps to heal herself in an 8-week Heal the Healer program for the 2018 Skin Games. You can follow Julie’s journey in a series of 9 short videos. The first video introduces my entry into the Compassionate category for the Skin Games.
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When I’m out and about, if I see someone in distress, I go up to them and ask if they’re okay. I share a conversation, offer a hug, serve as a confidant. I might be the first person to hear their story. I believe in spreading goodwill, love, and a sense of compassion to let people know they’re important. I tell people, “Your life matters to me, who you are matters. Please hang in there, you’re going to get through this.”
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Life provides moments of connection that lift the fog enough for transformation to occur. Everyone is here for a reason. Once a person discovers themselves, they discover their reason for being alive. Let someone know their life matters to you! Your words do make an impact.