Zac Yeggy Foundation
#breakthestigma​
​Be kind,
for everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.
–Wendy Mass
Fighting Mental Health Stigma Through Awareness
and Education
Fighting Mental Health Stigma Through Awareness
and Education
Mental illness is a serious yet largely misunderstood topic. Did you know that in America alone, almost 18% (1 out of 5) of adults have a mental health condition? In Iowa, 600,000 individuals live with mental illness, which is 19% of the population.
Moreover, the rates of youth who suffer from depression gets higher and higher each year. Causes include the negative stigma surrounding mental illness, lack of access to treatment as well as lack of education on mental health. Per Health and Human Services, 30% (20% male and 40% female) of those age 12 to 17 self-reported experiencing depression and feelings of hopelessness within a twelve-month period of time.
Within that twelve-month period, nationally, 18% (12% male and 23% female) seriously contemplated committing suicide in Iowa (​per the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention 2018 www.afsp.org)
Iowa Statistics
Iowa Statistics
• For those aged 8-14, SUICIDE is the THIRD leading cause of DEATH.
• For those aged 8-14, SUICIDE is the THIRD leading cause of DEATH.
• For those aged 15-34, SUICIDE is the SECOND leading cause of DEATH.
• For those aged 15-34, SUICIDE is the SECOND leading cause of DEATH.
• For those aged 35-54, SUICIDE is the FOURth leading cause of DEATH.
• For those aged 35-54, SUICIDE is the FOURth leading cause of DEATH.
• For those aged 55-64, SUICIDE is the EIGHTth leading cause of DEATH.
• For those aged 55-64, SUICIDE is the EIGHTth leading cause of DEATH.
It is broadly believed that suicide among the elder is significantly under reported. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's Older Adults Behavioral Health Profile for Region 7, which includes Iowa:
• The suicide rate among Iowans aged 50 or older is higher than that of other age groups.
• Older Iowans are entering substance use disorder treatment programs at a rate higher than the national average (nearly half have a co-occurring mental disorder).
• Among Iowans over age 65, 10.2% say that they rarely or never get social or emotional support.
The Center for Disease Recommendations to Reduce Stress During COVID
The Center for Disease Recommendations to Reduce Stress During COVID
Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including those on social media. It’s good to be informed, but hearing about the pandemic constantly can be upsetting. Consider limiting news to just a couple times a day and disconnecting from phone, tv, and computer screens for a while.
Take care of your body
Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditateexternal icon
Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals
Exercise regularly
Get plenty of sleep
Avoid excessive alcohol, tobacco, and substance use
Continue with routine preventive measures (such as vaccinations, cancer screenings, etc.) as recommended by your healthcare provider
Get vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine
Make time to unwind — Try to do some other activities you enjoy
Connect with others — Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling
Connect with your community- or faith-based organizations — While social distancing measures are in place, try connecting online, through social media, or by phone or mail
IF YOU TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF YOU CAN HELP THOSE AROUND YOU
NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION
HOTLINE 1-800-273-8255
Help is available 24/7
Zac Yeggy Foundation, L.L.C. in Chariton, Iowa is committed to discovering innovative programs to fight mental health stigma. The stigma causes denial of illness, delays in accessing treatment and frequently prohibits active participation in treatment services.
Zac Yeggy Foundation, L.L.C. also promotes mental health awareness through speaking engagements—large and small—providing information, education, and the story of Zac Yeggy, who after a six year battle with bipolar disorder took his own life at the age of 26.
We believe that mental health is an issue that concerns us all and impacts a significant portion of the population directly or indirectly. Furthermore, mental wellness is a topic that is as important as staying physically healthy and fit.
We are here to help you stamp out the stigma of mental illness. Contact us today and let us know how we can help you with this battle against stigma.
Our Mission
Our Mission
Our goal is to decrease the negative stigma on mental health, encourage early intervention and reduce suicide cases by providing mental health education and researching innovative training services.
Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem - no parent should bury a child, no one should lose their lives to an illness that is treatable.
#breakthestigma
Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem - no parent should bury a child, no one should lose their lives to an illness that is treatable.
#breakthestigma
Zac's mental illness is such a small part of who he is, as parents we are so proud of the fine young man he became. His kindness, compassion, work ethic, intelligence and common sense makes the loss even more significant as he would do wonderful things in the world we live. We know he wants us to use his struggles with mental illness to help others. I cannot use the word 'was' as he is still here, helping us to help others.
The following link may be disturbing to some, but it is a raw account of the day Zac died. Zac nor anyone should have to suffer and no family member, friend should ever have to go through this but this is the reality of suicide.