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Support Groups:

• Here for Life

1st Tuesday every Month

7:00 PM

• Veterans

Wednesday

7:00 - 8:30PM

• Depression

Thursday

10:30AM - Noon

July 2012

The Fundamentals of our 55 YearsThe Fundamentals of our 55 YearsThe Fundamentals of our 55 YearsThe Fundamentals of our 55 Years

55 Years of 55 Years of 55 Years of 55 Years of 55 Years of 55 Years of 55 Years of 55 Years of

providing Services providing Services providing Services providing Services providing Services providing Services providing Services providing Services

throughout throughout throughout throughout throughout throughout throughout throughout

SWFL SWFL SWFL SWFL SWFL SWFL SWFL SWFL

Educating Southwest Florida on Mental Wellness since 1957

Coming Events:

♦ July 14, 2012

Putting Children First

♦ July 28 2012

Putting Children First

♦ August 4, 2012

shooting for the stars

Basketball Clinic

♦ August 11, 2012

Putting Children First

♦ August 25, 2012

Putting Children First

1. Mental health is a fundamental social justice issue.

2. There is no health without mental health.

3. Concern for the public’s health demands that disparities

in treatment and the disproportionality of the burden of

illness be eradicated.

4. We require change that is commensurate to the

enormous magnitude of behavioral health problems in

multiple aspects of our culture, our communities,

our neighborhoods and our families.

5. MHASWFL represents a growing movement of

Americans who promote mental wellness for the health

and well-being of the nation. This movement must

engage and involve the general public as well as persons

with mental and substance use conditions in all its

aspects.

6. We emphasize recovery from mental and substance use

conditions for all.

7. MHASWFL confirms its commitment to:

a. Raise its voice for people affected by mental and

substance use conditions that have not had a voice.

b. Diversity and cultural competence in programs,

communication, treatment, and relationships.

c. The translation of science into practice.

d. Ensuring that the public’s trust is confirmed through

efficient conscientious leadership and stewardship.

Mental Health Matters Page 2

Page 3 July 2012

Mental Health Matters Page 4

Gollee’s TipGollee’s Tip Bullying in Schools: Harassment Puts Gay Youth at

Risk While trying to deal with all the challenges of being a teenager,

gay/ lesbian/ bisexual/ transgender (GBLT) teens additionally have

to deal with harassment, threats, and violence directed at them on a

daily basis. They hear anti-gay slurs such as “homo”, “faggot” and

“sissy” about 26 times a day or once every 14 minutes. Even more

troubling, a study found that thirty-one percent of gay youth had

been threatened or injured at school in the last year alone!Their

mental health and education, not to mention their physical well-

being, are at-risk

How is their mental health being affected? • Gay and lesbian teens are at high risk because ‘their distress is a

direct result of the hatred and prejudice that surround them,’ not

because of their inherently gay or lesbian identity orientation.

Gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth are two to three times more likely

to attempt suicide than their heterosexual counterparts.

How is their education being affected? • Gay teens in U.S. schools are often subjected to such intense

bullying that they’re unable to receive an adequate education.

They’re often embarrassed or ashamed of being targeted and may

not report the abuse.

• GLBT students are more apt to skip school due to the fear,

threats, and property vandalism directed at them. One sur-

vey revealed that 22 percent of gay respondents had

skipped school in the past month because they felt unsafe

there.

• Twenty-eight percent of gay students will drop out of school.

This is more than three times the national average for heterosexual

students.[

GLBT youth feel they have nowhere to turn. According to several

surveys, four out of five gay and lesbian students say they don’t

know one supportive adult at school.

Help end

bullying at

your

school!!!!

Page 5 July 2012

”SHOOTING FOR THE STARS”

Basketball Clinic

2012

A day of fun and learning for Children ages 8-17

Make a memory for a lifetime……….

The Clinic will be lead by Wali Jones (former Philadelphia 76er’s) features human develop-

ment training, emphasizing academics, problem solving, self esteem and teamwork.

The Clinic will be held at The Community School of Naples on Saturday August 4th.

Registration starts at 9 am with the Program beginning at 9:30 am.

Pre-Registration is required

For more information and sponsorship contact:

The Mental Health Association of Southwest Florida

2335 Tamiami Trail N. Ste 404

Naples, FL 34103

(239) 261-5405/ www.mhaswfl.org

“ We Are Making A Difference”“ We Are Making A Difference”“ We Are Making A Difference”“ We Are Making A Difference”

This is a Free Clinic provided as a com-

munity service through the Children’s

Mental Wellness Program of The Mental

Health Association of Southwest Florida

Mental Health Matters Page 6

Myth: “Young people and children don’t suffer from mental health problems.”

Fact: It is estimated that more than 6 million young people in America may suffer from a mental health

disorder that severely disrupts their ability to function at home, in school, or in their community.

Myth: “People who need psychiatric care should be locked away in institutions.”

Fact: Today, most people can lead productive lives within their communities thanks to a variety of supports,

programs, and/or medications.

Myth: “A person who has had a mental illness can never be normal.”

Fact: People with mental illnesses can recover and resume normal activities. For example, Mike Wallace of

“60 Minutes”, who has clinical depression, has received treatment and today leads an enriched and accom-

plished life.

Myth: “Mentally ill persons are dangerous.”

Fact: The vast majority of people with mental illnesses are not violent. In the cases when violence does occur,

the incidence typically results from the same reasons as with the general public such as feeling threatened or

excessive use of alcohol and/or drugs.

Myth: “People with mental illnesses can work low-level jobs but aren’t suited for

really important or responsible positions.”

Fact: People with mental illnesses, like everyone else, have the potential to work at any level depending on

their own abilities, experience and motivation.

Common Misconceptions About Mental Illness

Page 7 July 2012

Anxiety Disorders Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illnesses. The three main types are: phobias, panic disorders,

and obsessive-compulsive disorders. People who suffer from phobias experience extreme fear or dread from a

particular object or situation. Panic disorders involve sudden, intense feelings of terror for no apparent reason

and symptoms similar to a heart attack. People with obsessive-compulsive disorder try to cope with anxiety by

repeating words or phrases or engaging in repetitive, ritualistic behavior such as constant hand washing.

Mood Disorders Mood disorders include depression and bipolar disorder (or manic depression) symptoms may include mood

swings such as extreme sadness or elation, sleep and eating disturbances, and changes in activity and energy

levels. Suicide may be a risk with these disorders.

Schizophrenia Schizophrenia is a serious disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and acts. Schizophrenia is believed

to be caused by chemical imbalances in the brain that produce a variety of symptoms including hallucinations,

delusions, withdrawal, incoherent speech and impaired reasoning.

Dementias This group of disorders includes diseases like Alzheimer’s which leads to loss of mental functions, including

memory loss and a decline in intellectual and physical skills.

Eating Disorders Anorexia nervosa and bulimia involves serious, potentially life-threatening illnesses. People with these disor-

ders have a preoccupation with food and an irrational fear of being fat. Anorexia is self-starvation while buli-

mia involves cycles of bingeing (consuming large quantities of food) and purging (self-inducing vomiting or

abusing laxatives). Behavior may also include excessive exercise.

The 5 Major Categories of Mental Illness

To Advocate for Mental Wellness through Education,

Prevention, and Support

The Mental Health Association of Southwest Florida identifies unmet needs and

develops culturally sensitive services and programs to improve the lives of those

facing the many challenges of today’s world in our community.

If you are interested in becoming a member, e-mail us at info@mhaswfl.org Or Simply fill out the application and mail a check

payable to MHASWFL or donate online using a credit card. Your contribution is tax-deductible and crucial to helping us continue

our work. If you have any questions about Membership please contact our office by phone at (239) 261-5405

or mail The Mental Association of Southwest Florida 2335 Tamaimi Trail N, Ste 404, Naples FL 34103.

July 2012 Page 8 Mental Health Matters