The Weekly Bark

Happy Dollars –

-- Jim Morris paid because Nash Road has finally reopened

-- Robbie Magruder paid hoping for peace in the Middle East war

-- Hugh Cline paid foe returning from Italy

-- Phil McDermott paid for his football team’s recent success

-- Jacob Favaro paid for his baseball team’s recent success

-- Cory Metts paid in advance for his trip to Palm Beach

-- Bere Todd paid for his upcoming trip to hunt peasants in the Bad Lands of South Dakota

-- Jay Lowden paid as usual

Our speaker was Malissa Ackley, Director of Mental Health Support & Prevention Services in Chesterfield County. She has 25 years of exper-Ience dealing with substance abuse, domestic violence. She noted that everyone has the capacity for good mental health issues – loving, laughing, thinking, dreaming. But a significant percentage of people develop negative issues each year due to illness, aging, loneliness, family tragedies, and/or substance abuse.
The CDC says that the suicide rate for males 15-24 years old is higher than it is for females of that age. For those 70-85, loneliness, loss of purpose (retired), illness are leading causes. Suicide is usually preceded by exhilaration because the person has made the decision to do it. Look for warning signs in those likely to be considering it – change in mood, energy level, isolation, sense of hopelessness, sleep issues, drug usage (prescribed or otherwise). If the person needs assistance, call 988. The County’s Community Health Board has non-crisis resources – the Chester House Social Rehabilitation House in Chester has group and physical activities for those on Medicaid.
We had 30 South Richmonders, 3 guests and a visiting Rotarian from the Midlothian Club. –