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‘Florida‘ ‘murder‘

James Cooper, 25, and James Kouzaris, 24, had been staying with one of the men’s extended family in Longboat Key,   ‘Florida USA‘ – a well-heeled island town known for its white sand beaches overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Their bodies were found 12 miles away from there at 3am on Saturday, lying in the road in the Newtown district of North Sarasota, they had been shot.

Local officers said it was ‘very unusual’ to find tourists in this area. So what had taken them to this area which was notorious for its gang violence, high unemployment and social housing?

Police said they had their suspicions as to why they were there but it would be unfair to state them they added that neither of the men were in possession of drugs, but would not say whether they had cash or weapons.

Friends described them as kind and innocent people.

On April 19th 2011 a local 16-year-old boy was charged with their murder.

Always a chance was created in their memory so their deaths were not in vain, a charity aimed at helping the young and disadvantaged. Through education and experience they hope to enable youths to make better choices and turn against crime and violence. Get involved;

Do you fancy a challenge ?

Dawn Pugh

Related articles

• Florida boy, 16, charged as adult in double slaying of British men ( racism ) or just what the USA made him ! (smokesomething.wordpress.com)
• Bob Ward, Florida Millionaire, Convicted Of Murdering Wife, Diane Ward (huffingtonpost.com)

“When Charged with and Convicted of Murders, Should Life in Prison Actually Mean a Life Sentence?”

“Does a gangster life style deserve the kudos that it receives?”

“How would you feel if it were a member of your family that was murdered?”

Close family members of Manchester’s two most dangerous gangsters are seeking compensation from the police claiming their human rights have been breached by a crime fighting poster

When both were jailed for life following a six month trial in which nine other members of the gang were jailed. Greater Manchester Police marked their conviction with a billboard campaign across the city. See Billboard.

It showed the killers alongside pictures of how they could look when they are finally released from prison.

The posters thanked the public for coming forward with the evidence that convicted them.

Gangland shootings in Greater Manchester (also known as “Gun – Chester”) dropped by 92 % following the arrest and conviction of this infamous gang.

Civil rights group ‘Liberty’ is backing their legal action against Greater Manchester Police (GMP). It is understood a letter sent to the police by ‘Liberty’ says that the posters infringed the relatives’ privacy under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Last night GMP chief constable Peter Fahy said: “We appreciate that in all we do we have to consider the human rights of all and that a balancing exercise has to be carried out. In this case we were concerned with the ultimate human right – the right to life and this far outweighed any privacy rights.”

Source: Manchester Evening News (MEN)

“This is such a controversial and sensitive subject so I would like to convey my utmost respect to all those affected.”

“If any of you would like to add your thoughts, then please leave a comment in the box below, you can also request to remain anonymous.”

Dawn Pugh Psychotherapist.

Cognitive Behavioral Clinic dr Mike Spevack Has Died.

Dr. Mike Spevack, was an infamous MUHC psychologist and director of the Cognitive Behavior Clinic at the Queen Elizabeth Health Complex, he was known for his research into the affects of non-medical drug use and it’s potential to cause physiological and psychological dependence.

“In an ideal world,” says Spevack, “the adolescent learns a variety of socially appropriate ways to feel pleasure and to cope in stressful situations without resorting to drug use.”

Also during a public lecture in the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) Osler Amphitheatre Dr.Spevack stated that since  9/11, there had been a significant increase in the number of people reporting anxiety relating to air travel so he turned his attention to helping people conquer their fear of flying

Dr. Michael Spevack, also developed a “Sex Tune-up Therapy” for clinical patients that was designed to take advantage of the psychological principles that could enhance these patients’ responses to their erection restoring physical treatments.

Dr. Spevack died Sunday of complications from pneumonia. He was only 63 years old.
His wife, Leslie Aiton Spevack, will continue her involvement with the clinic.
The funeral will be held this Friday at the Mount Royal Cemetery.

God bless you, Rest in peace…

Dawn Pugh Psychotherapist

Child Loss: Death of a child is probably the hardest grief and loss to come to terms with. It challenges all our rational thinking, we as parents naturally expect our children to live longer than us. Here are some accounts of child loss;

Dealing with Grief and Loss

I, of course, corrected her and explain that I’m not feeling sorry for myself, I’m grieving the loss of my daughter. Some days are worse than others, this is just how it goes. If you haven’t lost a child, you will never … …

Comment on Poetry Contest Entry: Child of Mine by Kim Hodne by SANDY

I AM SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS, I HAVE JUST LOST MY SON JAN 25TH 2008. HE WAS MY ONLY SON. THIS IS THE HARDEST THING I COULD EVER GO THROUGH. HE RECENTLY JOINED THE NAVY AND GOT MARRIED AND HAD A SON, HE CAME HOME AND HAD A SEIZURE BEHIND …

Comment on Losing a child by Sheri Cooper

It’s like my life as stood still from that moment. Yet everyone else has continued.I was always known as lindseys mom, now I’m just a mom without my daughter. This is one club I wish I knew nothing about. I too share your grief.

Comment on Can We Enjoy Life After the Death of a Child? Learning …

I don’t know how I’ll survive this pain for 5 more years. I’m tortured with guilt, thinking if I had been a better mother, maybe he wouldn’t have chosen drugs. The grief is too much to bear.

Comment on Losing a child by Tracey

I just lost my daughter on November 10, 2008. She was to turn 2 years of age on November 26th this year. I went into her room that Monday morning to find her passed away. That image will not leave me. Her name was Mia and she has left …

Let me ask you to share with us all - how this information affected you?..

Please leave a comment in the box below.

Thank you in advance.

Dawn Pugh Psychotherapist

Impact Economic Effects on Suicide Statistics. Suicide statistics rise with the effects of economic depression. What is recession?  Recession 2008:  According to Wikipedia: The definition of a recession is;  ”a significant decline in economic activity spread across the economy, lasting more than a few months, usually affecting; real income, employment, industrial production, and wholesale-retail sales.” A sustained recession may become a depression..

I recently found an article in the Marketwatch.com that saddened and outraged me, yet at the same time offered hope to those that I think deserve as much help as possible:

“Sadly, given the current economic conditions, more and more Americans are feeling that they must cut their mental health care to make ends meet. I am concerned about those most vulnerable – especially our returning troops and their families who will be affected by the current economic crisis – particularly those returning to rural communities across America where mental health care is already limited”.

Research shows that suicides and psychiatric hospitalizations tend to peak at the lowest point of a recession, when unemployment is at its height. A smaller peak also occurs just prior to the economy falling into recession, when there is widespread uncertainty. “If you were to look at suicide graphically, it wouldn’t be difficult to imagine that you would be seeing another economic indicator,” says M. Harvey Brenner, a professor of public health at the University of North Texas Health Science Center.

Source: The Wall Street Journal

I wanted to spread the word regarding:  ”Give An Hour“  Give an Hour is a nonprofit organization, founded in September 2005 by Dr. Barbara V. Romberg, a psychologist in the Washington, D.C., area. The organization’s mission is to develop national networks of volunteer mental health workers, capable of responding to both acute and chronic conditions that arise within our society.

I hope you find this as evocative as I.  Let me know?  I am interested.

Dawn Pugh Psychotherapist

As Stated before: ”Estelle Getty” passed away early this morning surrounded by her beloved family. Apparently back in 2002, ”Estelle Getty” was wrongly diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s, when in actual fact, she suffered with ”Lewy Body Dementia”: Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is a form of dementia that shares characteristics with both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. It’s affects are hallucinations.

For those of you who may not remember “Estelle Getty”. She was a star in the hit situation comedy “Golden Girls”

 Golden Girls – Henny Penny 1/3

Dawn Pugh Psychotherapist

Estelle Getty died today age 84 of Lewy Body Dementia, a disease that accounts for 80% of dementia sufferers. She certainly made me laugh when she was in the Golden Girls, a wonderful comedienne who will be missed by many.

According to Lewy Body Dementia (www.lbda.org) Lewy body dementia (LBD) is a progressive brain disease and the second leading cause of degenerative dementia in the elderly. The clinical name, “dementia with Lewy bodies” (DLB), accounts for up to 20% of all dementia cases, or 800,000 patients in the US. Over 50% of Parkinson’s disease patients develop “Parkinson’s disease dementia” (PDD), which accounts for at least 750,000 patients. (PDD is also a Lewy body dementia.)

I have pulled together several videos explaining a little about the disease. Have a look and let me know what you think.

Difficulties in Diagnosing Lewy Body Dementia – pt 1

Pt 1. – From the January 2007 “Many Faces of Lewy Body Dementia” series at Coral Springs Medical Center, FL.
A presentation by Dr. Jonathan T. Stewart, M.D., Psychiatrist
Professor at University of South FL College or Medicine & Bay Pines, Tampa VA Medical Center.

Video provided by the nonprofit Lewy Body Dementia Association. www.lbda.org Please contact us for caregiving support, more information and additional resources. Thank you.

New Trends in Lewy Body Dementia – pt 1

From the January 2007 “Many Faces of Lewy Body Dementia” series at Coral Springs Medical Center, FL.
A presentation by Jay A. Van Gerpen, M.D., Neurologist
Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, FL

Video provided by the nonprofit Lewy Body Dementia Association. www.lbda.org Please contact us for caregiving support, more information and additional resources. Thank you.

“Critical Incident Stress Management” enables emergency workers to cope with the trauma and stress’s that their professions may cause and to help them function healthier and also, to move on with their lives. “Critical Incident Stress Management” is not  counseling or psychotherapy, nor is it a substitute for these therapies. It offers emergency workers the opportunity to off- load how they feel about the situations that they have just experienced and whether they are having difficulties coping or not, it can be very beneficial for their state of minds.  Making them aware of what they can do to help themselves and help each other. The fundamental  point of  ”Critical Incident Stress Management” it is to help people understand that their reaction and experiences are normal.

Developed in the 1970s,  “Critical Incident Stress Management” is now being used in schools, communities and organizations outside of the emergency services.

What is Critical Incident Stress Management Training?

Critical incident stress management training is extremely important for people working in professions that deal with or may have to deal with critical incidents. These events or incidents have the ability to destroy a person’s ability …

Critical Incident Stress Management

incident stress has been a recognized mental health concern for generations. World war I brought us the shell shocked soldier. During World War II the study of mental health had evolved, and the concept of battle fatigue became a …

Before a Critical Incident Strikes – The Pre-Incident Planning and …

Sometimes it can ease and shorten the period of recovery significantly. Safety managers know it and so do crisis professionals… Pre-incident planning is a crucial part of the work of critical incident stress management teams. …

Traumatic Stress Response team aids Airmen in coping with tragedy

Tragic accidents resulting in the loss of an Airman can happen anywhere at any time, whether it’s during a deployment, on the job stateside or even while home on leave. The Traumatic Stress Response team takes on the challenge of …

Hope you find this useful

Dawn Pugh

Are Bereavement support groups beneficial. I think this depends on the individual and their circumstances. 

Bereavement Support Groups

Learn the knowledge you need about bereavement support groups to make the right decision.

As rule of thumb bereavement counseling is not deemed as beneficial during the first 12 months as this is a natural grieving period: The first birthday, Christmas, in fact the first anniversary of everything. Although again it depends on the individual and impending circumstances. 

The Cheapest How to Go On Living When Someone You Love Dies

Plan funerals and personal bereavement rituals. How To Go on Living with Someone You Love Dies also includes a comprehensive resource listing and a chapter on finding professional help and support groups. …

Bereavement is not always about the loss of a person it can be the loss of a pet:

Loss of a dog.

You can seek help from pet bereavement counseling services, pet-loss support hotlines, and local or online bereavement group’s%

In fact loss can be about the change, changing a job, moving house, even a way of life. All of these sub categories will be discussed in subsequent posts.

Whether it’s recent deaths or past deaths, when a loved one commits suicide, relatives, spouses even friends experience a  roller coaster of emotions including grief, guilt, and depression and we can fluctuate between all of these for some time. Research have indicated that some family survivors may have particularly difficult grief reactions (complicated grief) and that counseling can be useful for the treatment of blame, shame, loss and anger which are all symptoms of grief.

Dutch Psychologists recently discovered a grief counseling program for families bereaved by suicide did not necessarily reduce grief or depression, but may help to prevent perceptions of blame among close relatives and spouses. This research is not conclusive and therefore I would state that the effectiveness of counseling is by individual choice.

Counseling had no beneficial effect on complicated grief, suicidal ideation or depression. However, after adjusting for several factors, the researchers did see a trend towards reduced perceptions of being to blame and fewer maladaptive grief reactions in the counseling group compared to the usual care group.

The authors suggest that having a chance in counseling to inform relatives of the psychiatric context in which suicide usually occurs, and reflect on and acknowledge their loved one’s difficulties before the suicide, may have helped relatives to realize that they did nothing wrong, or that they did all they possibly could do.

 I will say it again “This research is not conclusive and therefore I would state that counseling efficacy is by individual choice”.

Dawn Pugh