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Introduction What is Mental Health? Canadian Facts Cause of Mental Illness Onset Depression, Anxiety, Self Harm and Suicidal Ideation Protective Factors Stigma Recovery Supporting Individuals/ Families Resources
Interfaith Community Counselling Centre (ICCC), located in New Hamburg (Trinity Lutheran Church)
serving the needs of individuals, couples and families for over 25 years
a registered non-profit organization under the direction of an elected and volunteer Board of Directors
Involved in many communities
Mental Health refers to ongoing successful mental activity
This includes maintaining productive daily activities and maintaining fulfilling relationships with others
It also includes maintaining the abilities to adapt to change and cope with stress
Based on studies conducted by the Canadian Mental Health Association and the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health:
One in 5 people in Ontario will experience a mental illness at some point in their life time
Mental illness affects people of all ages, in all kinds of jobs and at all income and educational levels
70% of mental health disorders have an onset during childhood
Many contributing factors lead to the diagnoses of a mental illness:
Genetic predisposition (Nature)
Experience and Environment (Nurture)
Societal factors: pressure to achieve, the increased “stress and busyness of life”
The symptoms of mental illness are a result of abnormal brain functioning
Mental illness is a brain disorder
It is rarely if ever caused by stress alone
Like physical illness, mental illness often requires some form of treatment
The result of poor parenting The result of poor behavior
The result of personal weakness or bad attitude
The result of a deficit in personality The result of bad spiritual intent
The result of poverty
Some of the illnesses which commonly begin during childhood and persist into adolescence include:
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
(ADHD) Autism Spectrum Disorders Generalized Anxiety Disorder Attachment Disorder
Illnesses that most often begin during adolescence include:
Major Depression Schizophrenia Bipolar Disorder Eating Disorders Specific Anxiety Disorders
Panic Disorder Social Anxiety Disorder Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Addictions
Affects both mind and body
Caused by multiple factors, including genetics and life experiences
Symptoms can include: Sleeping disturbances Eating disturbances Feelings of sadness, loneliness, or guilt Lowered concentration and motivation
Can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, education, employment, etc.
What are some emotions that family members and friends might experience when a loved one is struggling with depression?
It is normal to feel upset when a loved one is struggled with depression
Confused Frustrated Guilt “Walking on eggshells” Helpless
It is normal to feel upset when a loved one is struggled with depression
Confused Frustrated Guilt “Walking on eggshells” Helpless
Reminder - Oxygen Mask Processing your own feelings with a support person or
professional can help you cope and allow you to continue to support your loved one(s)
Everyone feels worry at some point but anxiety is excessive worry and unrealistic thought patterns that interfere with daily living
12 % of adults, 2x more women than men
1 in 8 children have anxiety: increase in children experiencing anxiety
Most common mental health disorder however highly treatable
Worry Anxiety
Does not interfere with job/school/social life
Feel that concerns are controllable
Specific cause Brief periods Usually not
accompanied by physical symptoms
Interferes with job/school/social life
Feels that it is out of control
May be unsure of what caused it
Lasts a long time Accompanied by
physical symptoms Very distressing
Self harm is direct, repetitive, and intentional injuring of body tissue most often done without suicidal intentions
Most common form is self-cutting but can also include burning, scratching, tearing, banging or hitting body parts, interference of wound healing, hair-pulling or ingestion of toxic substances or objects
Self harm is a behavior employed as a coping mechanism to deal with underlying mental health challenges and is not a disorder or condition itself
The motivations for self-harm vary and it may be used to fulfill a number of different functions.
Self-harm may be used as a coping mechanism with provides temporary relief of intense feelings such as anxiety, depression, stress, emotional numbness or a sense of self-loathing or other mental traits such as low self-esteem or perfectionism. …..they feel the hurt on the outside instead of on the inside………but it is ineffective because it does not last……..and thus becomes repetitive
Some may use self-harm as a means to punish themselves for something they have done instead of changing their behavior
People who self injure usually go to great lengths to hide the behaviour. Red flags to be aware of are:
Unexplained frequent injuries, such as cuts and burns
Wearing long pants and long sleeves in warm weather
Low self esteem
Problems handling emotions
Problems with relationships
Let the person know you care
Be patient and Listen - give the person space to tell you about how they are feeling
Be non-judgmental
Let them know there is help available to develop better ways of coping with their intense emotions
Connect them to professional help
Loss of interest in: appearance, socializing, relationships, work/school
Wide mood swings and extreme outbursts
Major personality change
Expressions of helplessness/hopelessness (i.e. “I just can't take it anymore”, “it won’t matter soon”)
Expressions of worthlessness and being a burden
High risk behaviour (i.e. alcohol/drug abuse, promiscuity)
Preoccupation with thoughts of death
Preparations for death, giving away valuables, calling to say goodbye
Treatment of teens for psychiatric disorder
(i.e. taking certain anti-depressant medication)
Be familiar with red flags
Take all mentions of suicide seriously
Let the person know that you care
Listen; give the person space to tell you about how they are feeling
Be non-judgmental
Don’t be afraid to ask if the person is thinking of hurting themselves
If they have a plan DON’T Leave them alone
Offer hope that there is help available
Connect suicidal person to professional help
Early assessment and intervention
Family relationships
Healthy life style
Community involvement
Support network
When we negatively view someone as having a “weaker character”
Use of negative or cruel language to describe
mental illness (i.e. make jokes)
Portrayal of people with mental illness in the media (violent, “crazy”, etc).
Lack of knowledge regarding the brain Lack of knowledge about mental illness The media
◦ Movies◦ News stories that emphasize a person’s mental
illness as a factor in crime Behaviors, such as aggression, that are attributed
to mental health disorders Language used (“psycho”, “schizo”, etc)
Educate, educate, educate! Learning about mental health is essential
Open up and start speaking about it, allows for healing
Make it okay to seek help, especially for men, encourage others
Family and social support
Non medical or Medical Supplements
Life style changes, diet and exercise
Counselling Community involvement
Spirituality/faith
Don’t minimize feelings
Speaking in soothing tones of voice may have a calming effect
Equip the individuals with the tools and resources
Do not enable or excuse behaviors – learn about it
Model self-help behaviors
Ask the family how you can help
Educate ourselves- challenge yourselves and others
Don’t work alone
Encourage the caregiver to take care of themselves first, so they can help each other
Any other suggestions?
In what ways will you take the time to take care of yourself this week (eg. taking a bath, spending time with friends)
CMHA Grand River Branch Individualized support (Outreach, Short-Term and Long-
Term Intensive) Mental wellness workshops and seminars Family support services through the Family Mental
Health Network Peer support through the Self Help Alliance Court support and services for youth in the criminal
justice system Contact:
Kitchener Office – 519-744-7645 or 1-866-448-1603 Mobile Crisis Team: 519-744-1813 (24 hrs)
Front Door Crisis services through crisis phone number and Mobile
Crisis Services For children, youth, and their families
Support and resources for parents whose child is experiencing mental illness
Walk-in single-session counselling for youth, parents and children
Contact: Kitchener - Front Door (Mon -Fri 8:30-4:30) Cambridge - Langs (Thurs 10 - to 5:30)
Interfaith Community Counselling Centre Individualized high-quality counseling services Parenting coaching and support Work with clients of all age groups Sliding-scale fees to make counseling accessible to everyone
Contact: 519-662-3092
Coxson, D., Agencies working to break the silence of suicide, New Hamburg Independent, July 29, 2010
Hampson, Sarah, Medical access still the key to stopping suicide, Globe and Mail, January 9, 2011
Canadian Mental Health Association, http://www.cmhagrb.on.ca Centre for Suicide Prevention, http://ww3.suicideinfo.ca Waterloo Region Suicide Prevention Council Public Health Agency of Canada National Institute of Mental Health Understanding Mental Health and Mental Illness www.TeenMentalHealth.org