TEEN GIRLS AND SUICIDE

 Data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, better known as the CDC, shows that in 2021 almost one-third of high-school girls considered suicide. The numbers are 30% seriously considered suicide, 24% had made a suicide plan, 13% had attempted suicide and 4% required medical care related to a suicide attempt. The numbers for boys in the same categories were 14%,12%, 7% and 2%.

If you know of a teen (or anyone) experiencing a mental-health crisis or contemplating suicide, call or text 988. In emergencies call 911.

So sad that so many of our teens consider ending their lives.

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DARK LEAFY GREENS ARE BRAIN FOOD!

Continuing on the theme of happiness foods or brain foods, let me say that your mother was right; eat your vegetables, especially the dark leafy ones such as arugula.  Dark leafy veggies are among the most nutrient-dense foods we eat.  Folate, which helps to protect us from depression, originates in the leaves of plants.  It's name even comes from the Latin word folium which means leaf.  Greens are also rich in calcium, important because calcium triggers the release of neurotransmitters every time a neuron fires.  Greens are also good fiber foods.  Many may wonder what fiber has to do with the brain since we always think of it as for the gut.  And that is true.  Fiber is essential to maintaining a healthy gut and a healthy gut is crucial for the proper absorption of nutrients.  Here is a surprising fact; diets low in fiber have been linked to depression and increased risks of suicide!  So yes, fiber is a happiness food.  These healthy leafy greens also contain another of our happiness nutrients - magnesium.

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