Your Perspective is Your Reality

Understanding Adolescent and Adult Mental Health Difficulties

in the ABE Classroom

Wendy Sweeney, MALicensed Psychologist

PANDA-Minnesota ABE Disability Specialists

Workshop Goals

Learn about factors that impact mental health and wellness

Understand key warning signs and symptoms for early on-set mental illness in adolescents and adults

Gain useful strategies to use in the classroomDetermine when to refer a studentFind out about mental health resources

What is Mental Health?

Realistic Thought ProcessesStress Management SkillsSelf CareAbility to Set Social BoundariesAccess to a Support NetworkHealthy Emotional Control

What are your perceptions based on?

PerceptionThe lens through which we see the world

The process by which an individual receives, selects, organizes and interprets information to create a meaningful picture of the world

People’s perceptions of a situation, subject, or message affects WHAT they see and hear and HOW they respond

Shifting Perceptions

Thoughts can be harmful to us when

they distort reality or are irrational.

Are You Stressed?

The Stressors Many ABE Students Face

Financial difficultiesEmployment

difficultiesTransportation

issuesChild care issuesCultural adjustmentsFew successesLow self worth

Limited or poor formal schooling experiences

Learning challengesMay have a

diagnosed or undiagnosed disability

May not have access to health care or mental health services

The Stigma of Mental Illness

Approximately 1 in 4 Americans aged 18 or older suffer from mental illness at some point in their lives

It is people you care about, people you respect, people like you

The most common mental illness disorders are depression and anxiety

From National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH)

What is Mental Illness?Most people feel down or anxious now and then which is NORMAL. When it becomes a reason for concern is when symptoms:Cause emotional distress over an extended

period of timeSignificantly interfere with a person’s ability

to function on a daily basisDoes not meet social, cultural, or peer

expectations.Are present more days than not

Causes of Mental IllnessInternal Causes External Causes

Chemical imbalanceGeneticsMisinterpretation of

informationIrrational thoughts

and feelings

Life changesTraumatic eventsChildhood

difficultiesCultural

expectations and/or differences

Reactions of others

Common Mental Disorders

Mood DisordersMajor depressive

disorderPostpartum

depressionSeasonal affective

disorder (SAD)Bipolar disorder

Anxiety DisordersGeneralized

anxiety disorderSpecific phobiaPanic disorderPost-traumatic

stress disorder

What is Depression?Can be a Chemical Imbalance and/or

Suppression of Thoughts and Feelings

Physical SymptomsEmotional Symptoms Cognitive Symptoms

Common Signs of DepressionSymptoms are present most of the day, nearly every day for at least 2 weeks:Frequently feeling sad, down or empty Lack of interest in favorite activitiesSlowed down or restlessnessSignificant weight loss or gainLoss of energyFeeling guilty or worthlessLack of sleep or sleeping too muchProblems concentrating or making decisionsRecurrent thoughts of suicide or death

What is Anxiety?

The Fight or Flight Syndrome

Physical symptomsEmotional symptoms Cognitive symptoms

Common Signs of Generalized Anxiety

Excessive Worry and Difficulty Controlling the Worry occurring more days than not

for at least 6 months AND at least 3 of the following symptoms:

Muscle tensionDifficulty concentratingSleep disturbanceIrritabilityEasily fatiguedRestlessness

Anger

Treatment

Therapy

Medication

Combination of both

Brain Scan of Depression and Anxiety

Before treatment for depression and

anxiety

After treatment for depression and

anxiety

What is Mental Health?

Realistic Thought ProcessesStress Management SkillsSelf CareAbility to Set Social BoundariesAccess to a Support NetworkHealthy Emotional Control

Healthy Coping StrategiesDeep breathingExerciseMeditation/YogaSelf careJournalingTake items “off your plate”Say “NO” to obligations when overextendedTalk to someone you trust

Promoting Mental Health and Wellness in the Classroom

Key Warning Signs and Symptomsof Mental Health Difficulties

Student appears stressed/overwhelmedThere is a noticeable change in student

behaviorStudent is often angry/has outbursts in classStudent is often visibly upset/cryingStudent has inconsistent attendance/not

showing up for class/leaving earlyStudent appears emotionally unstableStudent appears withdrawn

Warning Signs and Symptomscontinued…

Student is frequently distractible or has trouble concentrating

Student complains about being tired or obviously fatigued

Student complains about frequent headaches, stomach aches, muscle tension

Student smells of alcohol and/or appears druggedStudent verbalizes feelings of worthless or makes

comments about not wanting to live

SuicideSuicidal comments SHOULD NOT

be taken lightly!If a student makes comments about not

wanting to live TELL SOMEONE

call 911 if you feel they may harm themselves and inform someone else who is close to them

Behavioral StrategiesWhen a student appears angry or has an

outburst, safety is of utmost importance:Remain calmDo not try to argue or reason with the personTell them to count to ten to cool offGive simple direct instructions. For example:

“You need to leave the room now” Put them in a separate roomIf student is able to calm self down, let them

rejoin the classroom; otherwise ask them to come back the next day

Call someone for help, if needed

Behavioral Strategies continued…When a student appears anxious or

stressed:Allow them to take short breaksTell them to try some deep breathing to relax Encourage them to exercise as a way to

relieve tensionOffer warm words of encouragementBreak information down/limit the number of

concepts presented at once to prevent them from feeling overwhelmed

Avoid comparing the student to othersAsk them to identify their fears or write them

down, if they are comfortable

Behavioral Strategies continued…When a student appears sad or withdrawn:Pull them aside to express your concernsAsk them if everything is alrightAsk them if there is anything you can do for

themProvide a special activity that highlights the

student’s strengthsGive the student genuine complimentsEncourage them to talk to someone they trustLet them know you are there for them, if they

want to talk

When To Refer A Student To A Professional

When there is a noticeable CHANGE in student behavior

If symptoms have been interfering with the student’s ability to function in the classroom or are disruptive to the class

If symptoms cause the student emotional distress over an extended period of time

If student’s behavior does not improve or they have difficulty resolving problems after you have attempted behavioral strategies

Mental Health ResourcesCrisis Connection

(612) 379-6363 or toll free 1 (866) 379-6363Free crisis counseling, information and referral services. Seven days a week, 24 hours/day.

United Way First Call For Help1-800-543-7709Free, confidential and available 24/7

County Mental Health Services: In Minnesota, the county is responsible for providing public mental health services on a sliding fee basis.  To find your county contact information go to: http://www.dhs.state.mn.us In the right hand column under Quick Links, click MHCP Provider Directory

Suicide Prevention: 612-873-2222; 1-800 784-2433; suicidehotlines.com/Minnesota.html

Minnesota ABE Disabilities Websitemn.abedisabilities.org

Case Studies

New Hope Learning Center8301 – 47th Avenue North

New Hope, MN 55428

Wendy Sweeney, MA, Licensed Psychologist

Disability Specialistwendy_sweeney@rdale.org

763-504-4095

Lori Leininger, CBISGrant Coordinator

lori_leininger@rdale.org763-504-4093