Breaking Myths on Mental Illness: Understanding the Truth and Reducing Stigma

1. Student Mental Health: Services and the Referral Process Mental Illness? Stressed Out?

2. Presentation Goals: Myths & The Stigma Of Mental Illness Similarities & Differences Between Mental Illness & Stress Video: Mental Health The Basics

3. Presentation Goals: Intervention Methods Resources & Tips For Interaction Referral Process

4. Myths & Assumptions That Stigmatize And Create Fear • What does mental illness look like to you?

11. Myth: People with Mental Illness look crazy • Truth: People with Mental Illness look like you and me.

17. Myth: People With Mental Illness Are Dangerous • 95% of violence in the US isn't linked directly to mental illness. • People with mental illness are 4 times as likely to be the victim of a violent crime rather than the perpetrator NAMI – National Alliance on Mental Illness

18. Myth: People With Mental Illness Are Dangerous • Nearly two-thirds (62 percent) of firearm deaths in the U.S. are suicides. • People with mental illness pose no greater threat to the community unless substance abuse is involved NAMI – National Alliance on Mental Illness

19. Myth: People With Mental Illness Are Dangerous • Approximately 1% of the US population is psychopathic • Approximatley 4% are sociopathic • 20-30% of the US male and female prison system are psychopaths

20. Myth: People With Mental Illness Are Dangerous • “Psychotics haven’t murdered as many people in the past 50 years as teen psychopaths have with knives in the past 12 months.” Psychotics are disconnected from reality, while psychopaths and sociopaths are fully connected; hearing voices instructing them to kill is not a feature of psychopathy or sociopathy. • https://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-siciliano/what-is-a-sociopath_b_5877160.html

21. Myth: People With Mental Illness Are Dangerous • “Violence by those with mental illness is so small that even if you could somehow cure it all, 95 percent of violent crime would still exist.” Federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

22. Myth: People With Mental Illness Are Dangerous • A 2009 study by SeenaFazel, a forensic psychiatrist, found a slightly higher rate of violent crime in schizophrenics—but it was almost entirely accounted for by alcohol and drug abuse.

23. Myth: People With Mental Illness Are Dangerous • Likewise, the MacArthur Violence Risk Assessment Study found that mentally ill people who did not have a substance abuse problem were no more violent than other people in their neighborhoods.

24. Myth: Mental Illness Is Caused By Personal Weakness. • Truth: Just like any major illness, mental illness is not the fault of the person who has a mental health condition. It is caused by environmental and biological factors, not a result of personal weakness. NAMI – National Alliance on Mental Illness

26. What Is Mental Illness? According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, “mental illnesses are conditions that often disrupt a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others, and daily functioning. “ “Mental illness results in a diminished capacity to cope with the ordinary demands of life.”

27. Mental Illness Facts More than 265 classified mental disorders Very common – affects about 1 in 4 adults in any given year Most common during the ages of 18 - 24 ½ of all people with Mental Health disorders show first signs by age 14 and ¾ by age 24 27% of young adults are afflicted - anxiety and depression are the most common NAMI – National Alliance on Mental Illness

28. Mental Illness Facts • Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death in youth ages 10-24. • 90% of those who die by suicide have an underlying mental illness. NAMI – National Alliance on Mental Illness

29. Mental Illness Facts People with mental illness are: • just as productive as other employees. • can get better and with the appropriate treatment and may recover completely.

31. VIDEO • Films on Demand • Sandburg.edu • Academics • Library • Films on Demand Icon • Mental Health : The Basics 18:51

32. Student Mental Health Issues on the Rise Broader more inclusive definitions Reduced levels of shame and guilt Increased availability and acceptance of psychoactive medications Many mental illnesses surface mid to late teens

33. Stressors and other factors behind Increase: Marginal coping skills among millennials compared to other generations.

35. Stressors and other factors behind Increase: Significant increase in student veteran populations (PTSD) Undeveloped support network among millennials 

36. Stressors and other factors behind Increase: Earlier intervention, Improved diagnosis/assessment, decreased stigma  Technology overload: Data collectors, but marginal at assimilating or applying Casualties of Social Networking  Chronic under-employment and increased number working poor

37. Similarities Between Stress and Mental Illness Many symptoms of stress and mental illness mirror each other Differences are not always clear cut Continued high levels of stress may trigger a mental health condition 

38. Differences Between Stress and Mental Illness Severity and duration of stressors Impact on a person’s life and ability to function effectively  Mental illness is diagnosed through established criteria

39. What are Signs of Emotional Distress? Sadness, tearfulness Poor concentration Bizarre or strange behavior Efforts to self medicate  References to suicide or harm to others Outbursts of emotion – “melt down”

40. What Can You Do? Talk – privately; a few minutes may be enough to help the student fell less alone. Listen – in a non-threatening way. Express concerns in a non judgmental way. Communicate – understanding of what student has told you.

41. What Can You Do? • Give Hope – help them realize there are options; suggest possible resources (family, friends, clergy, CSC counselors). • Maintain – clear boundaries/expectations and the professional relationship with the student.

42. Importance Of Documentation Mental illness can spiral out of control Can’t force a student to get help unless there are documented violations of a school’s code of conduct

43. Campus Security If you feel uncomfortable or threatened in any way: Call campus security immediately. If not an immediate threat, contact security and document any strange or inappropriate behavior. Campus security is the central location for documentation of incidents.

44. Refer for counseling when: Problem is more serious than you are comfortable handling You are unable to deal with the issue due to other responsibilities You think further assistance is needed Your personal feelings about the student would interfere with your objectivity Students admits the problem, but isn’t comfortable talking to you.

45. What is Counseling? Counseling is a professional relationship that empowers divers individuals, families, and groups to accomplish mental health, wellness, education and career goals.” (The American Counseling Association, 2010)

46. Carl Sandburg College Counseling Staff Amy Burford MS (Galesburg- TRIO ) Vicki McMullin MA (Galesburg) Daniel Yasenko MS (Galesburg) Dr. Ellen Henderson-Gasser (Carthage)