Depressed? Call county hot line

Depressed? Call county hot line

People who feel sad and depressed during the holiday season can get helpful counseling by calling Fulton County's 24-hour Emergency Mental Health Hotline, 404-730-1600. The hearing impaired can call TTY 404-730-1608.

Commonly known as the "crisis" or "suicide" hotline, the phone number puts callers in touch with trained persons who discuss problems in strict confidence, talk through a crisis and, if needed, suggest a counseling center. The county's Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Department operates the hotline.

Warning signs of stress may include irritability, sadness or inability to enjoy things, difficulty concentrating, loss of appetite, overeating, sleeping too little or too much and lack of energy.

Here are general tips everyone can follow to avoid stress and keep spirits up:
Communicate your feelings with supportive relatives or friends.
Set realistic daily goals.
Prepare a schedule of activities and include time to relax and sleep.
Do something you enjoy, such as listening to music.
Set limits on your time, responsibilities and money spent.
Don''t medicate unhappiness with alcohol or other drugs.
Don't isolate yourself from family and friends.
Don't blame yourself for your feelings or inability to cope with pressures.
FDon't take rash actions brought on by pure frustration.

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