Mental Health Sarah Jaaskelainen

Anxiety DepressionSelf harmSuicide

Objectives• Remove Stigma• Identify warning signs• Understand steps to improve mental health• Be familiar with community resources

Lets talk mind health!

Stigma• stig·maa mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person."the stigma of mental disorder”

• Careless words• Stereotypes• Discrimination• Labeling

Not Alone

Angelina JolieSelf Harm

Owen WilsonSuicide attempt

Anxiety Disorder– What is it?

• Normal to feel sometimes • Too much can

interferes with ability to live normally • Most common & most

treatable

12% will experience an anxiety disorder

Anxiety Disorder – What are the signs?• Think constantly about the worst happening• Feeling that you cannot control worry• Upset stomach• Feel very irritable• Difficulty sleeping• Worry excessively• Lasts at least 6 months

Anxiety Disorder – How can I help?• Myself:Exercise, relax, balanced diet, support network, manage time, develop positive coping strategies, and get help if needed• Others:Educate yourself, be supportive, encourage, don’t judge, suggest help if needed• Treatment:Medication, CBT

Depression- What is it?

• Feeling of sadness or hopelessness that last more than 2 weeks• Interferers with

everyday actives• Chemical imbalance• Depression is a illness

that needs treatment

15% of teens will experience depression

Depression - What are the signs?• 5 or these 9 symptoms must be present for more than 2

weeks1. Depressed mood or feeling irritable majority of the time2. Decreased interest in most activities 3. Significant weight change / change in appetite4. Diminished ability to concentrate 5. Change in activity 6. Fatigue or loss of energy7. Guilt / worthlessness8. Change in sleep9. Suicidal thoughts

Depression – How can I help?• Myself:Go outside, exercise, be social, talk to friends, problem solve, structure your day, avoid alcohol and drugs, get help• Others:Educate yourself, listen, stay positive, be patient, don’t blame yourself, put yourself first, be aware of suicide risk• Treatment:Therapy and medication

Self Harm- What is it?• Cutting, burning, bruising,

scratching • Releases endorphins that act on

the mind similar to a drug• Reasons: - Release stress/ anger - Feel in control - Feel something- - Punish themselves14% of teens

practiceself harm

Self harm – What are the signs?

• Unexplained cuts or bruises• Wears clothing that is not

appropriate for weather / situation but covers large area of body• Collecting objects to harm

themselves like knifes and razors

Self harm – How can I help?• Myself: Tell somebody, identify the trigger, ask for help,

stick to treatment• Others: Be supportive, take it seriously, seek treatment• Treatment: Therapy, use of positive coping strategies

Suicide – What is it?

• Taking ones own life• Always take it seriously• Complex and often misunderstood• Most of the time there is a mental

disorder involved• Suicidal thoughts are not a normal

part of being a teen

7% of B.C teens will attempt suicide

Suicide – What are the signs?

• Talking about what life will be like after they are gone• Suicidal thoughts• Preoccupation with death• Withdrawal from family / friends• Intense feelings of helplessness / sadness• Giving away valued possessions

Suicide? How can I help? • Myself: Tell someone, get help• Others: Don’t be afraid to ask, don’t beat around the

bush, don’t judge, listen, take it seriously, ask if they have a plan, get help• Treatment: Inpatient care, therapy, treatment of

underlying issue

Improving Mental Health • Alternative therapies• Talking about your

feelings / prayer• Music• Accepting who you are• Staying active• Asking for help • Caring for others• Identify support

networks

Get involved!• dosomething.org• toms.com• sevenly.org• twloha.com

Be familiar with local resourses• teenmentalhealth.org• teenhelp.com• Canadian Mental Health Crisis Line(888) 353-2271• Crisis Line of British Columbia(800) 784-2433• Crisis Society Mental Health Line310-6789 (no area code needed)

References • http://www.teenhelp.com/

index.html• http://www.youthspace.me/S

tayingWell/StayingWell.aspx

• http://teenmentalhealth.org• http://www.cmha.bc.ca• http://www.nimh.nih.gov/he

alth/publications/depression-easy-to-read/index.shtml

• http://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/factsheet/suicide