Utah’s Voice on Mental Illness

Utah’s Voice on Mental Illness

801.323.9900 or 877.230.6264www.namiut.org

http://www.namiut.org/

What is NAMI?NAMI is a grassroots, nonprofit, self-help, support and advocacy organization of consumers, families, and friends of people with severe mental illnesses. NAMI was founded in 1979.

In Utah there is a State Office and thirteen local affiliates statewide.

NAMI Utah’s Mission

Our mission is to ensure the dignity and improve the lives of those who are affected by mental illness through education, support, and advocacy.

National Alliance on Mental Illness | www.namiut.org

Who is involved with NAMI?

• People livingwith mental illness• Families• Friends• Mental health providers• Clergy• Community partners

NAMI Goals To help individuals with mental

illness live full and productive lives To strengthen families To raise awareness and

understanding in our communities To affect positive change in our

systems of care and communities.

Mental illnesses… Are medical conditions

that disrupt a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others, and daily functioning.

Mental Illnesses… • Are biological brain disorders.

There are genetic, social and environmental factors.

• Are illnesses like any other…not unlike diabetes or asthma.

• Cannot be overcome through "will power" and are not related to a person's, character, sin or intelligence.

A Continuum of Severity Mental disorders fall along a

continuum of severity, from less severe and situational (e.g. depression that occurs after a death) to severe and persistent mental illness.

Who is Affected? 1 in 4 adults suffer from a diagnosable

mental disorder in a given year (NIMH, 2007).

It is estimated that mental illness affects 1 in 4 families in America.Up to 20% of adolescents will suffer from a mental disorder between age 12-19

Illnesses of the YoungUnlike most disabling physical diseases, mental illness begins very early in life.

Half of all lifetime cases begin by age 14; Three fourths of all lifetime cases begin by

age 24

Thus, mental disorders are really the chronic diseases of the young.

A Delay to TreatmentDespite effective treatments, there are long delays - sometimes decades - between first onset of symptoms and when people seek and receive treatment. Studies have revealed that an untreated mental disorder can lead to a more severe, more difficult to treat illness, and to the development of co-occurring (or additional) mental illnesses. www.nimh.nih.gov

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/

Consequences of Untreated Mental Illness

WITHOUT TREATMENT THE CONSEQUENCES OF MENTAL ILLNESS FOR THE INDIVIDUAL AND SOCIETY ARE STAGGERING

school dropout rates unnecessary disabilityunemploymentsubstance abusehomelessness inappropriate

incarceration suicide wasted lives

The economic cost of untreated mental illness is more than 100 billion dollars each year in the United States.

Mental Illness Statistics

Approximately 50% of children 14 and older with a mental disorder drop out of high school. (U.S. Dept. of Education, 2001)

70% of youth involved in the juvenile justice systems in the country suffer from a mental disorder.

Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death among youth 10-24. (2nd in Utah)

NATIONAL STATS

How our kids 10-17 are feeling

8 will report feeling sad and hopeless 4 will have seriously considered suicide 4 will have made a suicide plan 2 will have attempted suicide one or

more times 1 will have had medical treatment for a

suicide attempt

IN AN AVERAGE CLASSROOM SIZE OF 30:

Suicide Statistics-Utah Suicide is the 2nd Leading Cause of Death

among youth ages 10-17 In 2010, almost 12 full school buses worth of

students attempted suicide Utah Ranks 5th in the nation for youth suicide 19 youth died by suicide each year in Utah Boys age 15-19 are at the highest risk Girls attempt suicide 2.5 times more than

boys but 7 out of 10 suicide deaths are boys.

So What Causes Suicide? The only thing we know with certainty is that

90% of the people who commit suicide are suffering from a diagnosable mental illness.

So just like the causes of mental illness, the causes of someone deciding to take their own life are varied and have biological (the mental illness), social and environmental elements.

We do know that there are risk factors and protective factors that either minimize or maximize the threat of suicide for the individual.

Risk Factors for Suicide Risk factors are characteristics that make

it more likely that individuals will consider, attempt, or die by suicide.

Risk factors ARE NOT warning signs! Warning signs indicate an immediate risk

of suicide, whereas risk factors indicate someone is at heightened risk for suicide but indicate little or nothing about immediate risk.

So what are the Risk Factors for Suicide?

Prior Suicide Attempt* Substance Use* Mood Disorder Access to lethal means

*One review found that those who had attempted suicide were at 38-times greater risk for dying by suicide than those that had never attempted and those who had abused alcohol were at 6-times greater risk for dying by suicide.

What are protective factors?

Characteristics that make it less likely that individuals will consider, attempt or die by suicide.

Both Risk and Protective factors are found at various levels:

Individual (genetic predisposition, mental disorders, personality) Family(cohesion, dysfunction) Community (availability of mental health services)

Major Protective Factors Effective Mental Health Care Connectedness to Individuals, Family,

Community, and Social Institutions Problem-Solving Skills Contacts with Caregivers

SO NOW YOU KNOW THE STATISTICS, WHAT CAN YOU DO TO PROTECT

YOUR CHILD AND OTHER CHILDREN?For starters:

Make sure protective factors are in place

Minimize Risk Factors

So when we look at:STATISTICS & RISK FACTORS WE SEE:

PROTECTIVE FACTORS WE SEE:

90% of People who die by suicide have a diagnosable mental illness AND

One of the 4 Risk Factors is someone suffering from a mood disorder AND

Substance Use (substance use disorder)

Effective Mental Health Care

Connectedness to Individuals, Family, Community, and Social Institutions

Problem-Solving Skills

So what does all of this tell us as parents and educators?

First, it tells us through statistics and risk factors that mental illness and specifically mood and substance use disorders play a huge role in suicide ANDThrough education , we can improve our youth’s protective factors such as:Increasing their problem solving skillsImproving their connectedness to family, community and social institutions Through understanding the signs of mental illness we can improve their ability to get the mental health care that they need

WITH THAT SAID…It becomes really important that parents and others in a child/teen’s life have a better understanding of mental illness and its signs and symptoms, SO…….

Most Common Mental Illness in Youth

Mood Disorders are the most common Depression and Anxiety are the biggest two

seen in teens 12-19. (20%) Anxiety Disorders frequently start in

elementary school (6.4%) and escalate into depression during the teen years; however about 2% of elementary age children will suffer from depression as well.

Other disorders that may be present in teens and younger children are substance use disorders , eating disorders, ADHD, bi-polar disorder, ODD, OCD, and Conduct Disorder.

AnxietyCHILDREN TEENS Most Common Mood

Disorder 3 types:

Separation Anxiety Over Anxiousness Social Phobia

Most Common Mood Disorder

2 main types: Panic Disorder Social Phobia

Key warning sign is missing school

Key warning sign is missing schoolTeens can be rude and non-compliant when trying to avoid situations which cause stress

Can be highly susceptible to drug & alcohol abuse which initially relieves their symptoms

DepressionCHILDREN TEENS

Symptoms different than adults, often you see more irritability & aggressiveness rather than sadness

A key factor to look for is an abrupt change in behavior from a sociable, likable child to a child who develops problems with school, family and friends.

Symptoms differ than adults, often you will see irritability, anger, restlessness & rebelliousness rather than sadness

A key factor to look for is an abrupt change in behavior and not wanting to be with friends or do activities that they once enjoyed

“Typical” Behavior“Typical” kids/or teens may: Be moody at times Be short-tempered, especially when parents are

setting appropriate limits See family activities as less important and view

friends as the focus of their life Seem embarrassed to be with parents and/or siblings Use angry responses to get some distance from

parents Be distraught when they are having relationship

difficulties

Continued…“Typical “ kids should: Enjoy a number of activities Have fun when they are with friends Have good relationships with other adults

(teachers, etc.) Enjoy some activities with parents/siblings Talk occasionally with parents about feelings Be able to function in school at the level

they have in the past

Signs Children May Need Further Help From a Mental Health Professional

• Decline in school performance• Persistent difficulty with peers• Poor grades despite strong efforts• Constant worry or anxiety• Persistent somatic complaints• School refusal or loss of interests in usual activities• Persistent and disruptive hyperactivity• Inability to focus or concentrate• Repeated disrupted sleep patterns and/or drowsiness• Continuous or repeated aggression, “acting out” or

oppositional behavior• Persistent sadness and/or irritability• Rapid changes in mood

Serious Warning signs:• Threatening or talking about hurting or killing

self• Seeking access to means to hurt/kill self (guns,

pills, etc.)• Talking or writing about death, dying or suicide• Hopelessness• Rage, uncontrolled anger, or seeking revenge• Acting reckless or engaging in risky activities• Feeling trapped, like there is no way out• Increased alcohol or drug use

How you can help your child

Understand the burden that adolescents can feel

Talk to your child and let him/her voice concerns and fears

Give positive feedback and encourage them

Keep an open dialogue with your teen so they know that no subject is off limits

If you are concerned, take them to see a doctor or therapist

Places that help Family doctor Mental health professionals – for

your child and possibly yourself NAMI Crisis Intervention Teams Other community support

The NAMI Utah Message:

Treatment worksRecovery is possibleThere is hopeYou are not alone


Support, Education, Advocacy

Statewide support through free NAMI programs.


What we teach families and consumers…

NAMI educates on: The illnesses and symptoms Communication skills Problem solving skills How to properly advocate for yourself and

your loved one The role of providers in treatment – how to

best work with providers Education on therapy and treatment options

Mentoring ProgramFor family members/individuals living with mental illness• Provide a listening ear• Give referrals to free NAMI programs• Provide help and resources for

navigating the system• Connection to other

community services• 801-323-9900


Family Resource Facilitators

Helping children, youth and families, in accessing help. At every community mental health center. See www.namiut.org for more information.


Support GroupsFor family members

• Support groups

For adults with mental illness

• NAMI Connection• “Soup Group”


Progression

A free education class for youth Ages 13-18.Topics include: What is mental Illness, treatment options, guidance tohealthy living, recovery and resiliency,building natural supports, self-advocacy.


BRIDGES Consumer Education Course

Ten weeks, topics include:• Brain Biology and Mental Illness • Medications • Schizophrenia and Mood Disorders • Anxiety Disorders • Problem Solving and Communication • Building Support / Crisis Planning • Community Support Services • Healthy Living & Whole-Body Healing


NAMI Basics

Free 6 week courses, topics include:– It’s not your fault; mental illnesses are brain disorders• The biology of mental illness• Treatment works – an overview of treatment options• Communication skills, problem solving, crisis

preparation and response, handling challenging behavior, relapse planning, impact on family members

• Record keeping and systems• Survivor stories, review, wrap up• Supplemental modules include advocacy and

transition issues


Family-to-Family Education Course

12 weeks, topics include:• Signs, symptoms, causes and recovery from

mental illness• Emotional stages and families experience• Diagnostic criteria for disorders • Brain biology and medication• Workshops on empathy, communication,

advocacy, problem solving, self-care


Hope for Tomorrow School Education Program

and Parents and Teachers as Allies

Goals• Raise awareness of mental health issues • Erase the stigma of mental illness • Foster hope among students and their families

The curriculum focuses on three major areas• Mood disorders• Substance use disorders • Eating disordersNational Alliance on Mental Illness | www.namiut.org

Provider & Clergy Training Program

Includes a panel of family members, consumers and professionals to train mental health providers on the “lived experience” of mental illness


Utah Crisis Intervention Teams Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT) for Youth

are comprised of specially trained law enforcement officers. These officers are trained in tactics to effectively deal with a person experiencing a mental crisis, as well as every day interaction with mental health consumers.

801-799-3000

NAMI Utah Contact Info

• On the web:www.namiut.org

• Phone:801.323.9900 or 877.230.6264

• Address:1600 West, 2200 South, West Valley, Ut


Documents

Utah’s Voice on Mental Illness