Mental Illness

Tianna Hughes

StigmaWHAT IS IT?

• negative, unfavourable attitudes and the behaviour they produce

• form of prejudice

• prevents many people from seeking help

• mental illness continues to be met with widespread stigma

Types of Mental Illnesses

A major depressive disorder — usually just called “depression” — is different than the

“blues”. Someone experiencing depression is grappling with feelings of severe despair over

an extended period of time. Almost every aspect of their life can be affected, including their emotions, physical health, relationships and work. For people with depression, it does not feel like there is a “light at the end of the

tunnel” — there is just a long, dark tunnel.

(Canadian Mental Health Association, 2014)

Depression

Depression• can affect men and women of any age,

education, economic or social status

• occurs at an alarming rate

• Nearly three million Canadians will experience depression at one point in their life.

• Most often affects people in their working years, between ages 24 and 44.

• Some personal changes are: irritability/hostility, withdrawal or extreme dependence on others, hopelessness/despair, slowness of speech, chronic fatigue, alcohol/drug abuse

Anxiety Disorders• A fear with symptoms attached to it that disrupt one’s

everyday living.

• Symptoms include:

• Racing pulse, heart palpitations, possibly even chest pain

• Shortness of breath, panting, dry mouth

• Blushing

• Nausea and/or vomiting

• Trembling, shaking, muscle tension

• Dizziness

• Hot flashes and sweating, or chills

• Difficulties with sleep

• Inability to concentrate

Anxiety Disorders

• There are five types of anxiety disorders. They are:

1. Panic Disorders

2. Phobias

3. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

4. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

5. 5. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Mental Illness -- Young People

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ju5d3rW4k1o

Bipolar Disorder• A person with bipolar disorder displays all

the symptoms of a person with depression – except there is a “manic” side.

• They experience symptoms that include:• Extreme optimism, euphoria and feelings of

grandeur• Rapid, racing thoughts and hyperactivity• A decreased need for sleep• Increased irritability• Impulsiveness and possibly reckless behaviour

Substance Abuse & Mental Illness

• When someone suffers from mental health issue and the drug or alcohol addiction it’s known as co-occurring disorder

• Addiction is common in people with mental health problems

• Although substance abuse and mental health disorders are closely linked, one does not directly cause the other

Mental Health Facts

Mental Illness in the Workplace

• Many employer’s are faced with employees who suffer from mental illness.

• Every day, 500,000 Canadians miss work due to a form of mental illness.

• Most employer’s have implemented an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• EAPs help employees deal with personal problems that might have an impact their work performance, health, and well-being.

Current Article

• I’ve attached an article regarding a mental health facility that is to go up in Ottawa and the “neighbours” opposing it.

• http://www.ottawacitizen.com/health/Chernushenko+backs+building+mentally+despite+neighbours+opposition/9696315/story.html

How can society help?• Eliminate the stigma! Start talking.

• Companies like Bell (let’s talk day) have started showing initiative to help eliminate the stigma

• Many people use the example that if you had cancer, or broke your leg you would have no problem going to the doctor… So why is it so different with mental health?

Structural- Functionalist Perspective

• Considers that health and illness is related to other changing factors in a person’s social life.

• People taking on many roles in their life helps contribute to mental illness

Conflict Perspective

• Wealth, status, and power, or the lack thereof influence illness and health care

• There are many people who are not able to access help for their mental illness because of one of the above factors

Symbolic Interactionist Perspective

• Focus on how meanings, definitions, and labels influence health, illness and healthcare and; how such meanings are learned through interaction with others and through media messages and portrayals.

• STIGMA. MENTAL HEALTH.

• As it has been mentioned throughout the presentation, stigma is what is holding people back from getting help. It is the barrier that is stopping people from living to their full potential.

• People need to stop using the term “bipolar” and other terms so loosely. It is offensive and stops people from talking about their illness because it’s always associated with negativity, when it’s not necessarily a negative thing.

End the Stigma

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpbuQt_YEo0

ReferencesMental Health Commission of Canada. (2014). Issue: Stigma. Retrieved from http://www.mentalhealthcommission.ca/English/issues/stigma?routetoken=01fa579b7a5bc84769bb129be72f4936&terminitial=31

Canadian Mental Health Association. (2014). Depression. Retrieved from http://www.cmha.ca/mental_health/depression-in-the-workplace/

Canadian Mental Health Association. (2014). Mental Health Statistics. Retrieved from http://www.camh.ca/en/hospital/about_camh/newsroom/for_reporters/pages/addictionmentalhealthstatistics.aspx

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. (2012). Mental illness and addiction statistics. Retrieved from http://www.camh.ca/en/hospital/about_camh/newsroom/for_reporters/pages/addictionmentalhealthstatistics.aspx

Ottawa Citizen. (2014, April 3). Chernushenko backs new building for mentally ill despite neighbours’ opposition. Retrieved from http://www.ottawacitizen.com/health/Chernushenkobacksbuildingmentallydespiteneighboursopposition/9696315/story.html

Mooney, L., Holmes, M., Know, D., & Schacht, C. (2013). Understanding Social Problems. Toronto: Nelson Education Ltd.