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Preparing Colorado Housing Workforce for Invisible Disabilities

This resource aims to prepare Colorado's housing workforce to recognize and effectively respond to individuals with behavioral health issues or invisible disabilities such as mental health and substance abuse. Understanding the impact of mental illnesses, available resources, and ways to support individuals in distress can make a significant difference. Learn to engage, ask questions, and connect effectively. Together, we can create inclusive and supportive housing environments for all. Contact Mimi McFaul, Psy.D., for more information.

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Preparing Colorado Housing Workforce for Invisible Disabilities

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  1. Invisible DisabilityPREPARING the HOUSING WORKFORCE in COLORADO to RECOGNIZE and BEST RESPOND to INDIVIDUALS with BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ISSUES Grand Junction – Fort Collins – Pueblo - Denver Created by Mimi McFaul, Psy.D. (2013)

  2. Defining our focus for today: Invisible Disability Behavioral Health = Mental Health &/or Substance Abuse

  3. Why is this relevant for me? "When you know better you do better.“ - Maya Angelou Picture accessed @ www.csha.us/Housing%20Assistance

  4. Activity: Level of Disability Picture accessed @ www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/severe-storm-outlook-2013/8893504

  5. What is mental illness? • Mental illnesses impair a person’s thinking, emotions, behaviors, and relationships. • Mental health issues impact many parts of the person’s life such as how they… • Make friends and interact with others • Maintain a job, housing, etc. • Deal with stress • Plan activities • Live in their communities • This often leads to…

  6. Impact: Individual, Family, Friends, Community Graphic accessed @ www.mindsfoundation.org

  7. Mental Health Issues are Common! It’s not just “those people” over there.

  8. What Causes Mental Health Problems?? One factor that researchers agree on – the individual is not responsible for the condition, & cannot just turn it on or off.

  9. What holds us back? “We will have to repent in this generation…for the appalling silence of the good people.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. • People are “silenced” in many ways… • Fear. • Many people do not know a lot about mental health problems. • People often do not know how to respond. • People do not know the available resources.

  10. Mental Health is a Continuum • Foundation of thinking, communication, learning… • Life circumstances • Amount of stress/impairment (not precise!) • “Rough patch?” or “Can’t work anymore?”

  11. Why cut off the head from the body? • Picture accessed @ http://darkstorm21.wordpress.com/category/project-the-ancients-recent-posts/page/2/ • Picture accessed @ www.centermh.org

  12. Activity: Myth Busting

  13. Mental health and addictions • Commonly Co-exist • Chicken or the Egg? First picture accessed @ www.johnleonard.com/blog-with-us/bid/82746/

  14. What is what?

  15. What do you believe is possible? • “Recovery is the process in which people are able to live, work, learn, and participate fully in their communities.” • This looks and means different things for different people: • reduction in symptoms • complete remission of symptoms President’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health, 2003

  16. when someone is in distress • Remain calm and avoid overreacting • Understand that the person is in a different “space” • Reduce distractions • Speak simply and move slowly • Listen to what the person is saying • Acknowledge what is going on • Indicate a willingness to understand and help • Be patient and encouraging

  17. Person First Language Would you want to be called “a cancer?” Try: A person with…

  18. Helpful or Not Helpful? Accessed picture @ www.yorubagirldancing.com

  19. What do I actually say? • “It seems like (or “I can see that”) you are upset” • “You have a lot going on right now. • “How can I help?” • “I am concerned about you.” • “You are not alone right now.” • What else? What calms you down/would help you?

  20. When is it time to reach out? • Symptoms so severe that they require police or hospital intervention (imminent risk of hurting self or others) • No change or decrease in function (i.e. not taking care of self or family) within two weeks or more • Person is asking for help specifically

  21. Generally Avoid • Sudden movements • Shouting • Forcing a discussion • Touching /Crowding • Expressing impatience or irritation • Using sarcasm • Talking as if the person is deaf or cannot understand • Language such as “crazy”, “psycho”, “mental” • Challenging what they say

  22. when something isn’t right… • Engage. • Offer assistance. • Connect them with care.

  23. Warning Signs for suicide What looks or seems different about this person that concerns you?

  24. Pull out your phones

  25. Who are your lifelines?

  26. Summing it up: You can be an asset. • Mental health issues are common. • Engage. • Ask questions. • Listen. • Connect.

  27. Thank You For Being Here today! Mimi McFaul, Psy.D. Director Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) Mental Health Program 3035 Center Green Drive Boulder, CO 80301 303-541-0288 mmcfaul@wiche.edu

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