"Happiness doesn't depend on any external conditions, it is governed by our mental attitude."
This morning's shock news that a beloved, veteran Santa Rosa kindergarten teacher took her own life in her lunch break yesterday afternoon should serve as a wake-up call to all to keep an eye on friends, neighbors, coworkers and family members with any heavier-than-average load on their minds.
Record numbers are switching off the news, tuning out, canceling subscriptions. Tired of hearing the doom and gloom of the economy, job losses, cuts to public services, slashed mental health care, devastating, inexplicable stories such as that of an outwardly dedicated, long-time kindergarten teacher.
Keeping out of the storm as an individual does not mean that we should stop looking out for one another. Encouraging those amongst us with early signs of depression to seek help not only steers a troubled mind towards a manageable direction, it very well may ultimately change the path of tragedy.
Petaluma psychotherapist Jill Silverman, MFT leads a six-week education and support group - 'Treating Depression' starting this month and marking a time when mental health has never been more at the forefront of demanding modern life.
Silverman's six week workshop operates on a sliding scale so that no one is turned away for lack of funds. "Recent research is showing that therapy is the most effective way to treat depression," she says. "There are no negative side effects and relapse rates are much lower than using anti-depressants."
According to Silverman, director of the Petaluma Counseling Center, depression affects one in ten people. "It is highly treatable," says Silverman. "No one should suffer alone with depression. My group workshops helps those who do suffer with depression to change the patterns that are causing this struggle by teaching proven, practical skills to overcome it."
The Petaluma Counseling Center is located at 204 G Street, Petaluma, CA 94952 . Pre-registration is required for Silverman's upcoming six-week March 17 to April 28 2010 education and support group which meets each Wednesday evening from 7.15 pm to 8.45 pm. Call 707 782 1222 for more information.
In its February 8, 2026 report 'The Depressing News About Antidepressants' Newsweek claimed that studies suggest that today's popular drugs are no more effective than a placebo. In fact, according to Newsweek, in many situations, they may be worse. "If Placebos can make people better," the article says "then depression can be treated without drugs that come with serious side effects, not to mention costs."
Not to negate the absolute need to beat chronic depression one way or another, the key in our ever-expanding circle of community is to acknowledge when someone within that sphere needs to step off the edge and allow themselves to be guided away from the darkness.
(Or, as my Petaluma Spectator pal Frank tends to frequently remind me: the act of 'taking up blogging' is in itself, great therapy for increased mental clarification and the critical 'venting' effect! Today's photo was snapped on my iphone on a recent mental health day-trip excursion to ski Sugar Bowl in the Sierras. Drawn only momentarily to the precipice, it did produce an appropriate pic.)
FYI--I caught this first on the "Fwix Paperboy"--or at least it was the first thing in my in-box this morning.
As to the topic of your article, you are spot on. In the case of depression induced suicides, the impact on the "survivors" (friends & family) is absolutely life changing.
Over the years I have devveloped a theory that one is lucky if all the "bad things" in life happen in the right order. By that I mean that each event teaches you...prepares you...if you are fortunate...for the next one.
And so it goes on this Sunday morning...
Posted by: Frank Simpson | Sunday, March 07, 2026 at 07:33 AM