Utah’s Voice on Mental Illness

1. Utah’s Voice on Mental Illness 801.323.9900 or 877.230.6264 www.namiut.org

2. What is NAMI? NAMI is a grassroots, nonprofit, self-help, support and advocacy organization of consumers, families, and friends of people with severe mental illnesses. NAMI was founded in 1979. In Utah there is a State Office and thirteen local affiliates statewide.

3. NAMI Utah’s Mission Our mission is to ensure the dignity and improve the lives of those who are affected by mental illness through education, support, and advocacy. National Alliance on Mental Illness | www.namiut.org

4. Who is involved with NAMI? • People living with mental illness • Families • Friends • Mental health providers • Clergy • Community partners

5. NAMI Goals • To help individuals with mental illness live full and productive lives • To strengthen families • To raise awareness and understanding in our communities • To affect positive change in our systems of care and communities.

6. Mental illnesses… Are medical conditions that disrupt a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others, and daily functioning.

7. Mental Illnesses… • Are biological brain disorders. There are genetic, social and environmental factors. • Are illnesses like any other…not unlike diabetes or asthma. • Cannot be overcome through "will power" and are not related to a person's, character, sin or intelligence.

8. A Continuum of Severity • Mental disorders fall along a continuum of severity, from less severe and situational (e.g. depression that occurs after a death) to severe and persistent mental illness.

9. Who is Affected? 1 in 4 adults suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year (NIMH, 2007). It is estimated that mental illness affects 1 in 4 families in America. Up to 20% of adolescents will suffer from a mental disorder between age 12-19

10. Illnesses of the Young Unlike most disabling physical diseases, mental illness begins very early in life. • Half of all lifetime cases begin by age 14; • Three fourths of all lifetime cases begin by age 24 Thus, mental disorders are really the chronic diseases of the young.

11. A Delay to Treatment Despite effective treatments, there are long delays - sometimes decades - between first onset of symptoms and when people seek and receive treatment. Studies have revealed that an untreated mental disorder can lead to a more severe, more difficult to treat illness, and to the development of co-occurring (or additional) mental illnesses. www.nimh.nih.gov

12. Consequences of Untreated Mental Illness Without treatment the consequences of mental illness for the individual and society are staggering school dropout rates unnecessary disability unemployment substance abuse homelessness inappropriate incarceration suicide wasted lives • The economic cost of untreated mental illness is more than 100 billion dollars each year in the United States.

13. Mental Illness Statistics • Approximately 50% of children 14 and older with a mental disorder drop out of high school. (U.S. Dept. of Education, 2001) • 70% of youth involved in the juvenile justice systems in the country suffer from a mental disorder. • Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death among youth 10-24. (2nd in Utah) NATIONAL STATS

14. How our kids 10-17 are feeling • 8 will report feeling sad and hopeless • 4 will have seriously considered suicide • 4 will have made a suicide plan • 2 will have attempted suicide one or more times • 1 will have had medical treatment for a suicide attempt IN AN AVERAGE CLASSROOM SIZE OF 30:

15. Suicide Statistics-Utah • Suicide is the 2nd Leading Cause of Death among youth ages 10-17 • In 2010, almost 12 full school buses worth of students attempted suicide • Utah Ranks 5th in the nation for youth suicide • 19 youth died by suicide each year in Utah • Boys age 15-19 are at the highest risk • Girls attempt suicide 2.5 times more than boys but 7 out of 10 suicide deaths are boys.

16. So What Causes Suicide? • The only thing we know with certainty is that 90% of the people who commit suicide are suffering from a diagnosable mental illness. • So just like the causes of mental illness, the causes of someone deciding to take their own life are varied and have biological (the mental illness), social and environmental elements. • We do know that there are risk factors and protective factors that either minimize or maximize the threat of suicide for the individual.

17. Risk Factors for Suicide • Risk factors are characteristics that make it more likely that individuals will consider, attempt, or die by suicide. • Risk factors ARE NOT warning signs! • Warning signs indicate an immediate risk of suicide, whereas risk factors indicate someone is at heightened risk for suicide but indicate little or nothing about immediate risk.

18. So what are the Risk Factors for Suicide? • Prior Suicide Attempt* • Substance Use* • Mood Disorder • Access to lethal means *One review found that those who had attempted suicide were at 38-times greater risk for dying by suicide than those that had never attempted and those who had abused alcohol were at 6-times greater risk for dying by suicide.

19. What are protective factors? • Characteristics that make it less likely that individuals will consider, attempt or die by suicide. • Both Risk and Protective factors are found at various levels: Individual (genetic predisposition, mental disorders, personality) Family(cohesion, dysfunction) Community (availability of mental health services)

20. Major Protective Factors • Effective Mental Health Care • Connectedness to Individuals, Family, Community, and Social Institutions • Problem-Solving Skills • Contacts with Caregivers

21. So now you know the statistics, what can you do to protect your child and other children? For starters: Make sure protective factors are in place Minimize Risk Factors

22. So when we look at: Statistics & risk Factors we See: Protective Factors we see: • 90% of People who die by suicide have a diagnosable mental illness AND • One of the 4 Risk Factors is someone suffering from a mood disorder AND • Substance Use (substance use disorder) • Effective Mental Health Care • Connectedness to Individuals, Family, Community, and Social Institutions • Problem-Solving Skills

23. So what does all of this tell us as parents and educators? First, it tells us through statistics and risk factors that mental illness and specifically mood and substance use disorders play a huge role in suicide AND Through education , we can improve our youth’s protective factors such as: Increasing their problem solving skills Improving their connectedness to family, community and social institutions Through understanding the signs of mental illness we can improve their ability to get the mental health care that they need

24. With That Said… It becomes really important that parents and others in a child/teen’s life have a better understanding of mental illness and its signs and symptoms, SO…….

25. Most Common Mental Illness in Youth • Mood Disorders are the most common • Depression and Anxiety are the biggest two seen in teens 12-19. (20%) • Anxiety Disorders frequently start in elementary school (6.4%) and escalate into depression during the teen years; however about 2% of elementary age children will suffer from depression as well. • Other disorders that may be present in teens and younger children are substance use disorders , eating disorders, ADHD, bi-polar disorder, ODD, OCD, and Conduct Disorder.

26. Anxiety Children Teens • Most Common Mood Disorder • 3 types: • Separation Anxiety • Over Anxiousness • Social Phobia • Most Common Mood Disorder • 2 main types: • Panic Disorder • Social Phobia Key warning sign is missing school Key warning sign is missing school Teens can be rude and non-compliant when trying to avoid situations which cause stress Can be highly susceptible to drug & alcohol abuse which initially relieves their symptoms

27. Depression Children Teens • Symptoms different than adults, often you see more irritability & aggressiveness rather than sadness • A key factor to look for is an abrupt change in behavior from a sociable, likable child to a child who develops problems with school, family and friends. • Symptoms differ than adults, often you will see irritability, anger, restlessness & rebelliousness rather than sadness • A key factor to look for is an abrupt change in behavior and not wanting to be with friends or do activities that they once enjoyed

28. “Typical” Behavior “Typical” kids/or teens may: • Be moody at times • Be short-tempered, especially when parents are setting appropriate limits • See family activities as less important and view friends as the focus of their life • Seem embarrassed to be with parents and/or siblings • Use angry responses to get some distance from parents • Be distraught when they are having relationship difficulties

29. Continued… “Typical “ kids should: • Enjoy a number of activities • Have fun when they are with friends • Have good relationships with other adults (teachers, etc.) • Enjoy some activities with parents/siblings • Talk occasionally with parents about feelings • Be able to function in school at the level they have in the past

30. Signs Children May Need Further Help From a Mental Health Professional • Decline in school performance • Persistent difficulty with peers • Poor grades despite strong efforts • Constant worry or anxiety • Persistent somatic complaints • School refusal or loss of interests in usual activities • Persistent and disruptive hyperactivity • Inability to focus or concentrate • Repeated disrupted sleep patterns and/or drowsiness • Continuous or repeated aggression, “acting out” or oppositional behavior • Persistent sadness and/or irritability • Rapid changes in mood

31. Serious Warning signs: • Threatening or talking about hurting or killing self • Seeking access to means to hurt/kill self (guns, pills, etc.) • Talking or writing about death, dying or suicide • Hopelessness • Rage, uncontrolled anger, or seeking revenge • Acting reckless or engaging in risky activities • Feeling trapped, like there is no way out • Increased alcohol or drug use

32. How you can help your child • Understand the burden that adolescents can feel • Talk to your child and let him/her voice concerns and fears • Give positive feedback and encourage them • Keep an open dialogue with your teen so they know that no subject is off limits • If you are concerned, take them to see a doctor or therapist

33. Places that help • Family doctor • Mental health professionals – for your child and possibly yourself • NAMI • Crisis Intervention Teams • Other community support

34. The NAMI Utah Message: Treatment works Recovery is possible There is hope You are not alone National Alliance on Mental Illness | www.namiut.org

35. Support, Education, Advocacy Statewide support through free NAMI programs. National Alliance on Mental Illness | www.namiut.org

36. What we teach families and consumers… NAMI educates on: • The illnesses and symptoms • Communication skills • Problem solving skills • How to properly advocate for yourself and your loved one • The role of providers in treatment – how to best work with providers • Education on therapy and treatment options

37. Mentoring Program For family members/individuals living with mental illness • Provide a listening ear • Give referrals to free NAMI programs • Provide help and resources for navigating the system • Connection to other community services • 801-323-9900 National Alliance on Mental Illness | www.namiut.org

38. Family Resource Facilitators Helping children, youth and families, in accessing help. At every community mental health center. See www.namiut.org for more information.

39. Support Groups For family members • Support groups For adults with mental illness • NAMI Connection • “Soup Group” National Alliance on Mental Illness | www.namiut.org

40. Progression A free education class for youth Ages 13-18. Topics include: What is mental Illness, treatment options, guidance to healthy living, recovery and resiliency, building natural supports, self-advocacy. National Alliance on Mental Illness | www.namiut.org

41. BRIDGES Consumer Education Course Ten weeks, topics include: • Brain Biology and Mental Illness • Medications • Schizophrenia and Mood Disorders • Anxiety Disorders • Problem Solving and Communication • Building Support / Crisis Planning • Community Support Services • Healthy Living & Whole-Body Healing National Alliance on Mental Illness | www.namiut.org

42. NAMI Basics Free 6 week courses, topics include: • It’s not your fault; mental illnesses are brain disorders • The biology of mental illness • Treatment works – an overview of treatment options • Communication skills, problem solving, crisis preparation and response, handling challenging behavior, relapse planning, impact on family members • Record keeping and systems • Survivor stories, review, wrap up • Supplemental modules include advocacy and transition issues National Alliance on Mental Illness | www.namiut.org

43. Family-to-Family Education Course 12 weeks, topics include: • Signs, symptoms, causes and recovery from mental illness • Emotional stages and families experience • Diagnostic criteria for disorders • Brain biology and medication • Workshops on empathy, communication, advocacy, problem solving, self-care National Alliance on Mental Illness | www.namiut.org

44. Hope for Tomorrow School Education Program and Parents and Teachers as Allies Goals • Raise awareness of mental health issues • Erase the stigma of mental illness • Foster hope among students and their families The curriculum focuses on three major areas • Mood disorders • Substance use disorders • Eating disorders National Alliance on Mental Illness | www.namiut.org

45. Provider & Clergy Training Program Includes a panel of family members, consumers and professionals to train mental health providers on the “lived experience” of mental illness National Alliance on Mental Illness | www.namiut.org

46. Utah Crisis Intervention Teams • Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT) for Youth are comprised of specially trained law enforcement officers. These officers are trained in tactics to effectively deal with a person experiencing a mental crisis, as well as every day interaction with mental health consumers.  • 801-799-3000

47. NAMI Utah Contact Info • On the web: www.namiut.org • Phone: 801.323.9900 or 877.230.6264 • Address: 1600 West, 2200 South, West Valley, Ut