Extensive study finds 1 in 5 has mental issues

CHICAGO: Almost one in five young American adults has a personality disorder that interferes with everyday life, and even more abuse alcohol or drugs, researchers reported Monday in the most extensive study of its kind.

The disorders include problems such as obsessive or compulsive tendencies and anti-social behavior that can sometimes lead to violence. The study also found that fewer than 25 percent of college-aged Americans with mental problems get treatment.

To read the full story, visit: http://www.ohio.com/news/nation/35355279.html 

Money Woes Cause Wave of Stress, Anxiety

WASHINGTON, Sept. 26—The country’s financial crisis is deepening people’s feelings of anxiety and putting additional demands on community mental health centers nationwide, according to officials at the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare (National Center).  

“The stress and emotional impact of the current financial crisis is upsetting people’s sense of wellbeing, causing people to feel severe worry and anxiety,” said Linda Rosenberg, president and CEO of the National Council.

Rosenberg said people visiting community mental centers were already worried about the housing crisis and the rising cost of gas and food, so the worsening situation on Wall Street is compounding people’s anxiety.

Levels of stress and anxiety are running particularly high at community mental health centers in states like New Jersey, where many new patients have lost their once-lucrative jobs on Wall Street.

“Every day we see more people showing up at our doors, so the safety net provided by community mental health centers is beginning to strain,” said Debra Wentz, Ph.D., CEO of the New Jersey Association of Mental Health Agencies.

Dr. Wentz said one New Jersey center has experienced a 20 percent spike in visits over the last few months.

Rosenberg said people can ease feelings of anxiety by following a three-step plan:

·        Focus on positive aspects of your life. Look to family and friends to support you.

·        Plan for the future as much as you can. “The more action you can take, the more in control you’ll be, the less stressed you’ll feel.”

·        Try to take a long view. “Realize that it may be very bad yesterday, it may be very bad today, but that things over time will get better.”

People can locate community mental health providers in their areas through the “Find a Provider” feature on the National Council’s web site www.TheNationalCouncil.org.

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The National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare is a not-for- profit, 501(c)(3) association of 1,400 behavioral healthcare organizations that provide treatment and rehabilitation for mental illnesses and addictions disorders to nearly six million adults, children and families in communities across the country. The National Council and its members bear testimony to the fact that medical, social, psychological and rehabilitation services offered in community settings help people with mental illnesses and addiction disorders recover and lead productive lives.

According to Medical News Today, the survey found that most children who receive care through public mental health programs are in low-income families or foster care. According to the survey, many states support school-based mental health programs, but such programs are not consistent.  In addition, although some states require or promote care that studies have proven effective as treatments for specific mental health problems, most do not have such requirements, the survey found. The survey also found that some federal and state policies prohibit Medicaid reimbursements for preventive or early mental health care for children. The states that reported the highest-quality public mental health programs for children included Washington state, Ohio, New York, Vermont and Maine, according to the survey.
For more information visit: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/130346.php.

How important is early recognition of mental illness in children?

What kind of care do we seem to put our priorities on in today’s world?

What can we do to ensure more sufficient and efficient mental health care to children?

I think it is always interesting to analyze the different components of gender and how it affects how we interact with each other in today’s world.  Women’s mental health is usually discussed in relation to the different roles women fulfill in their daily lives.  Below are some facts taken from “World Health Organization”.  They were printed along with an interesting article about women’s mental health versus men’s mental health.  To read more about the article, visit: http://www.who.int/mental_health/prevention/genderwomen/en/.

Women’s mental health: The Facts

• Depressive disorders account for close to 41.9% of the disability from neuropsychiatric disorders among women compared to 29.3% among men.
• Leading mental health problems of the elderly are depression, organic brain syndromes and dementias. A majority are women.
• An estimated 80% of 50 million people affected by violent conflicts, civil wars, disasters, and displacement are women and children.
• Lifetime prevalence rate of violence against women ranges from 16% to 50%.
• At least one in five women suffer rape or attempted rape in their lifetime.

A message from NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Ohio:

On November 4th, voters from 15 counties throughout Ohio will be asked to support local mental health levies. If you live in one of these counties, NAMI Ohio strongly urges you to support these levies, and to encourage your family, friends and neighbors to do so as well. Local mental health levies fund approximately 30% of the critical treatment and support services that individuals with serious mental illness rely upon to get and stay well.

“While these are indeed trying times for many of us financially, imagine what it is like for those who are faced with the daily challenges that result from having a serious mental health disorder. Voter support for these services will help to ensure that our loved ones can continue to receive the help they need,” said Jim Mauro, Executive Director of NAMI Ohio. Levies are on the ballot in Lake, Greene, Seneca, Wood, Mahoning, Muskingum, Lucas, Washington, Four County (Defiance, Fulton, Henry and Williams) Stark, Portage and Noble counties.

For More information on NAMI Ohio, visit: www.namiohio.org.

     As a school counselor, parent, and community member, I am writing this letter to endorse the renewal of Issue 36. Passing this renewal levy is vital to the children in Portage County. I am continually referring parents to our local agencies that offer support to the children in our community who live with the reality of mental illness, behavioral health issues, dysfunctional family issues, violence, drug and alcohol abuse, and financial crisis. This levy helps support the Agencies and programs that provide our children lifelines to a better healthier future. A future that is brighter for the 2,500 children and teens that were seen last year in Portage County. Please vote for Issue 36, an issue that was passed originally in 1978. This will not increase your taxes and will support our children for another ten years as we strive for strong families, safe communities, and productive futures. It does take a village to raise a child.

Laurie Knuth LPSC

Stanton Middle School Counselor

Kent City School District

Board Member- Coleman Professional Services

Care of Mental Health Services is in question during this election time.  One in four Americans experience mental health problems at some point during their lifetime.

Sandy Stephenson, Director of the Ohio Department of Mental Health, grew up in a healthy and loving home environment. After high school, she went to work for a small company.  She married and had a son.  A few years later, she divorced and encountered the stress and anxiety that comes with being a single parent. Fortunately she was able to rely on the coping skills that her family had role modeled for her as a child.  According to Sandy, “If I had to go through that period of my life with a mental illness, I can’t imagine what I would have done.” 

        Just two years out of high school, a friend of Sandy’s took her life by hanging herself in a barn.    “That single event was so stunning for me that it ultimately shaped my life,” said Sandy. “I took the memory of my friend and all the ‘what ifs’ I had asked myself and decided to go to college to study social work.”

       With the help and support of a professor, Sandy was able to secure a scholarship at OSU.  During her studies, she was assigned to do an internship at a mental health center in Columbus.  It was there that she grew to understand the complexities of mental illness and the stigma associated with it.  “In the mid 70’s, stigma was not even a consideration. The best one could hope for was to move people out of the state hospital, get them on SSI and give them a  Medicaid card.  That was it.  There was no thought given to recovery, employment, or making a contribution.”  

      Sandy’s experience working in the Mental Health Center had a tremendous impact on her and she decided to make that her career.  Every day on her way to work, she would drive through one of the poorest sections of Columbus.  “I developed a deep respect for those with mental illness who I would see along the way and during my work day.  Over the years, I have truly come to admire the spirit and strength of those who live with persistent and serious mental illness and recognize their incredible potential to contribute to the community. I believe that because of their struggles, their inner core is far stronger than that of people who do not know such struggles.”

      According to Sandy, “Stigma is simply discrimination based on fear, ignorance and lack of understanding.  It is our job (mental health professionals and advocates) to plant ourselves in a position to provide the support necessary to enable those with mental illness to live full lives in their communities. Seeing people with this illness living full lives is really the greatest stigma buster there is.”

      Sandy feels her contribution is helping to support people who struggle so they have the ability to maximize their potential.  “I get angry when I hear someone in the mental health field say that they are here because they want to sure people with this illness.  It is not our role to ‘cure’ people.  We are the catalyst to helping people with mental illness develop a sense of wholeness and fulfillment.  This is what gives my life meaning.” 

To learn more about the Ohio National Alliance on Mental Illness, visit: www.namiohio.org

As a university professor, I have met students who struggle with mental health issues, such as anxiety, bipolar disorder, and depression. Sadly, I’ve seen the numbers increase in recent years. I’m struck with the difficultly of the decisions they must make to continue their education without the necessary support, or take time to get mentally stronger. Both choices are costly in terms of medical expenses and delayed employment.

 This is just one demographic needing mental health services. Veterans, the elderly, and the homeless are other demographics seeking services and support. Whatever ones age or station in life, mental health can be easily and quickly compromised. The need for education and services knows no limits.

 Passage of Issue 36 will continue support for the local organizations that provide critical services to people of all ages who struggle to maintain mental health. This is a renewal, not a tax increase. I don’t think we can afford to NOT pass Issue 36.

Jackie Peck

Member, CPS Board of Trustees

In one way or another, Roger Diehl has been preparing for life as a college freshman since preschool. But the University of Wisconsin-Madison student has had to do a little more work than others.

Diehl has Asperger’s, a form of autism, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). He’s also suffered from depression, with his first bout occurring as early as 3 years old, says his mother, Sita.

Diehl, now 18, has had help from his parents, grandparents and school staff to help him make this transition work. He and his mother told their story last week on Morning Edition. Here, Roger and Sita Diehl, who runs Tennessee’s National Alliance On Mental Illness (NAMI), answer listeners’ questions about what their family did to help Roger, and offer advice on how to help kids with mental illness or learning disabilities get ready for college.  To read more, visit: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94728606&sc=emaf

How well does our educational system as a whole handle students with disabilities?  What could they improve?

Do students with a disability receive an equal opportunity at education?