Psychological Health & Wellness

1. Psychological Health & Wellness University Counseling Services Joe Hamilton, M.A., L.P.C. Assistant Director 785-4014 hamilton@truman.edu

2. Definitions • Psychological Health - A general term for a state of emotional and psychological well-being that allows you to function in society and meet the demands of everyday life. (Mayo Clinic) • Emotional wellness is demonstrated by the overall comfort with and acceptance of one's full range of feelings. Positive emotions such as happiness, amusement, excitement, contentment and love contribute to our overall sense of well-being. It is striving to meet emotional needs constructively. It is maintaining good mental health, a positive attitude, high self-esteem, and a strong self-image. (globalserve.net)

4. Psychological HealthAbraham Maslow Self-Actualized • Realism • Acceptance • Autonomy • Intimacy • Creativity

5. Other Attributes to Achieve Psychological Health • Maintaining Balance • Strong Support System • Manage Stress • Being Resilient / Letting Go • Having a Purpose • Optimism • Confidence

6. Other Attributes to Achieve Psychological Health Continued • Authentic Happiness • Being at Peace with Oneself • Ability to Achieve Relaxation • Have appropriately High Self-Esteem • Problem Solving Skills • Good Communication Skills

7. Common Psychological Concerns • National statistics indicate that up to 32 – 50% of Americans will have a diagnosable mental illness during their lifetime • Anxiety Disorders (14.4 – 17.2% a year) • Substance abuse (8.8 – 11.3% a year) • Mood Disorders (4.3 – 11.3% a year)

8. Major Depressive Disorder Symptoms Sad, empty or anxious mood* Interest/pleasure in activities diminished* Guilt feelings or feeling worthless Energy level low or feeling tired and fatigued Sleep difficulties such as insomnia or oversleeping Concentration difficulties, trouble making a decision Appetite increase or decrease Psychomotor agitation or retardation Suicidal ideation or thoughts of death Up to 21% of women and 13% of men are diagnosed with Major Depression episode in their lifetime.

9. The Brain, Stress and Depression • Chemical Imbalance • The release of stress hormones triggers fight or flight response and researchers believe a malfunction in this system often underlie depression. http://www.sfn.org/index.cfm?pagename=brainBriefings_depressionAndStressHormones

10. Suicide Rates • Missouri • 704 completed suicides annually • 6,906 hospitalized attempts per year • Average of 19 serious attempts per day • Higher state suicide rate than national average • MO 13.4 vs. USA 11.4 • In 2003, suicide was the second leading cause of death of those age 15-24 & 25-34 • Colleges students • Suicide rate for college-attending young adults has been approximately 7.5 per 100,000 students per year. • Suicide rate for college students is approximately one half the rate of their non-attending peers.

11. What can I do about Suicide? • For Health Issues we do CPR. • For Suicide Issues we do QPR • Question the person about suicide • Do they have thoughts? A plan? Don’t be scared to ask! • Persuade the person to get help. • Listen carefully. Then say “Come with me to find help.” • Refer for Help • University Counseling Services 785-4014 • 1-800-SUICIDE

12. Common Psychological Problems • Bipolar Disorder • A clinical course where people rotate between depressive and manic states • Manic state: • Inflated self-esteem • Decreased need for sleep • More talkative than usual • Racing thoughts • Very distractible • Increase in goal-directed activity • Excessive involvement in pleasurable activities

13. Common Psychological Problems • Anxiety Disorders • Typical symptoms include: • Physical symptoms (increased heart rate, sweating, shortness of breath, chest pain, chills or hot flashes, dizziness, trembling, muscle tension, etc.) • Thoughts/Fears of dying or going crazy • Difficulty concentrating/Mind going blank • Irritability • Sleep disturbance

14. Common Psychological Problems • Types of Anxiety Disorders • Phobias • Up to 15% of women and 11% of men are diagnosed with Social Phobia during lifetime • Panic Disorder • Generalize Anxiety Disorder • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

15. Other Psychological Disorders • Schizophrenia • Substance Abuse Disorders • Learning Disorders • Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder • Eating Disorders (Anorexia and Bulimia) • Intermittent Explosive Disorder (7.3% lifetime) • three episodes of impulsive aggressiveness “grossly out of proportion to any precipitating psychosocial stressor,” at any time in their life (National Institute of Health)

16. 2006 National College Health Assessment Within the last school year, Truman students reported experiencing (based on 552 responses): • Depression 19.7% • Anxiety Disorder 13.8% • Seasonal Affective Disorder 12.5% • Bulimia 2.9% • Substance Abuse Problem 2.4% • Anorexia 1.8%

17. 2006 NCHA Findings • Truman students reported that the following affected their academics: • Stress 39.6% • Sleep Difficulties 27.1% • Concern for friend/family 20.4% • Depression/Anxiety 18.8% • Internet/Gaming 15.1% • Relationship Difficulty 14.6%

18. 2006 NCHA Findings continued • Truman students reported that the following affected their academics: • Death of friend/family 8.0% • Attention Deficit Disorder 6.4% • Alcohol Use 5.8% • Eating Disorder/Problem 2.4% • Sexual Assault 1.5% • Drug Use 1.3%

19. 2006 NCHA Findings • Truman students reported the following during the last school year: • Feeling Overwhelmed • Never (2.4%) • 1-10 Times (66.7%) • 11+ Times (31%) • Feeling Very Sad • Never (17%) • 1-10 Times (69.8%) • 11+ Times (13.2%)

20. 2006 NCHA Findings • Truman students reported the following during the last school year: • Feeling Things Were Hopeless • Never (32.7%) • 1-10 Times (58.9%) • 11+ Times (8.4%) • Feeling So Depressed it was Difficult to Function • Never (55.1%) • 1-10 Times (38.3%) • 11+ Times (6.6%)

21. 2006 NCHA Findings • Truman students reported the following during the last school year: • Seriously Considering Attempting Suicide • Never (90.7%) • 1-10 Times (8.2%) • 11+ Times (1.1%) • Attempting Suicide • Never (98.5%) • At Least Once (1.5%)

22. 2006 NCHA Findings • Truman students that reported being diagnosed with depression: • Males 12.6%, Females 16.2% • Of those who reported a diagnosis of depression: • Currently in Therapy • Males 17.6%, Females 22.4% • Currently Taking Medication: • Males 23.5%, Females 44.8%

23. What Causes Psychological Problems? • There appears to be many factors. These include: • Genetic components • Environmental components • Individual characteristics

24. So what can I do to be psychologically healthy? • Do the things we talked about at the beginning of our talk today: Self-Actualized Realism Acceptance Autonomy Intimacy Creativity Maintaining Balance Strong Support System Manage Stress Being Resilient / Letting Go Having a Purpose Optimism Confidence Authentic Happiness Being at Peace with Oneself Ability to Achieve Relaxation High Self-Esteem Problem Solving Skills Good Communication Skills

25. Some other things to help be psychologically healthy? • Exercise • Laugh more • Put things in perspective • Get appropriate rest/sleep • Practice stress management techniques • Deep Breathing • Meditation • Imagery • Seek professional assistance

26. University Counseling Services • Free and confidential counseling to Truman students • 6 Full-time professional therapists • Offer individual, relationship and group counseling • Open 8-5 M-F • Plus on call 7 days a week, 24 hours a day (during academic year) 665-5621 • Willing to do presentations to any group over a wide variety of topics • Referral assistance

27. University Counseling Services (660) 785-4014 202 Patterson (located west of Grim Hall) http://ucs.truman.edu ucs@truman.edu THANK YOU!! ANY QUESTIONS?