Gary Page, 8th Medical Group Counseling Services Clinical Psychologist. It's very easy for people here to become recluses, but if you are feeling isolated or down, seek out community, religious or social services that can provide you with support and companionship. Kunsan has an unbelievable social network. Its goal is to boost an individual's morale by providing someone to talk to 24 hours a day, and to identify callers who might be in a crisis and need professional help. Trained volunteers are reached by dialing Kunsan's base operator and asking for Heartline.
Callers can remain anonymous.
Although the Heartline is available, Page said being involved with base activities or volunteering during the holiday season helps other people and can help lift an individual's spirit. It's also a great way to meet new acquaintances. The main difference is that feelings associated with the holidays are temporary, whereby true depression usually lasts six to nine months, Page said. Recognizing these signs early is important to helping people overcome the depression. What's more, severe depression can lead one to consider suicide if he or she feels life is too painful to bear and sees no way to alleviate the pain, Page said.