Download Nancy Gingerich Supporting Family and Friends with Mental Illness

Nancy Gingerich
Supporting Family and Friends
with Mental Illness
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Introduction
What is Mental Health?
Canadian Facts
Cause of Mental Illness
Onset
Depression, Anxiety, Self Harm and Suicidal Ideation
Protective Factors
Stigma
Recovery
Supporting Individuals/ Families
Resources
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Interfaith Community Counselling Centre (ICCC),
located in New Hamburg (Trinity Lutheran Church)
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serving the needs of individuals, couples and
families for over 25 years
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a registered non-profit organization under the
direction of an elected and volunteer Board of
Directors
Involved in many communities
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Mental Health refers to ongoing successful
mental activity
This includes maintaining productive daily
activities and maintaining fulfilling relationships
with others
It also includes maintaining the abilities to adapt
to change and cope with stress
Based on studies conducted by the Canadian Mental
Health Association and the Centre for Addictions and
Mental Health:
 One in 5 people in Ontario will experience a
mental illness at some point in their life time
 Mental illness affects people of all ages, in all
kinds of jobs and at all income and educational
levels
 70% of mental health disorders have an onset
during childhood
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Many contributing factors lead to the diagnoses of
a mental illness:
 Genetic predisposition (Nature)
 Experience and Environment (Nurture)
 Societal factors: pressure to achieve, the
increased “stress and busyness of life”
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The symptoms of mental illness are a result of
abnormal brain functioning
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Mental illness is a brain disorder
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It is rarely if ever caused by stress alone
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Like physical illness, mental illness often requires
some form of treatment
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The result of poor parenting
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The result of poor behavior
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The result of personal weakness or bad attitude
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The result of a deficit in personality
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The result of bad spiritual intent
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The result of poverty
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Some of the illnesses which commonly begin during
childhood and persist into adolescence include:
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Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Attachment Disorder
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Illnesses that most often begin during adolescence
include:
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Major Depression
Schizophrenia
Bipolar Disorder
Eating Disorders
Specific Anxiety Disorders
 Panic Disorder
 Social Anxiety Disorder
 Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
 Addictions
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Affects both mind and body
Caused by multiple factors, including genetics
and life experiences
Symptoms can include:
 Sleeping disturbances
 Eating disturbances
 Feelings of sadness, loneliness, or guilt
 Lowered concentration and motivation
Can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, education,
employment, etc.
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What are some emotions that family members
and friends might experience when a loved
one is struggling with depression?
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It is normal to feel upset when a loved one is
struggled with depression
 Confused
 Frustrated
 Guilt
 “Walking on eggshells”
 Helpless
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It is normal to feel upset when a loved one is
struggled with depression
 Confused
 Frustrated
 Guilt
 “Walking on eggshells”
 Helpless
Reminder - Oxygen Mask
Processing your own feelings with a support person
or professional can help you cope and allow you to
continue to support your loved one(s)
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Everyone feels worry at some point but anxiety is
excessive worry and unrealistic thought patterns
that interfere with daily living
12 % of adults, 2x more women than men
1 in 8 children have anxiety: increase in children
experiencing anxiety
Most common mental health disorder however
highly treatable
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Does not interfere with
job/school/social life
Feel that concerns are
controllable
Specific cause
Brief periods
Usually not
accompanied by
physical symptoms
Worry
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Interferes with
job/school/social life
Feels that it is out of
control
May be unsure of what
caused it
Lasts a long time
Accompanied by physical
symptoms
Very distressing
Anxiety
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Self harm is direct, repetitive, and intentional injuring of body
tissue most often done without suicidal intentions
Most common form is self-cutting but can also include
burning, scratching, tearing, banging or hitting body parts,
interference of wound healing, hair-pulling or ingestion of
toxic substances or objects
Self harm is a behavior employed as a coping mechanism to
deal with underlying mental health challenges and is not a
disorder or condition itself
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The motivations for self-harm vary and it may be used to
fulfill a number of different functions.
Self-harm may be used as a coping mechanism with provides
temporary relief of intense feelings such as anxiety,
depression, stress, emotional numbness or a sense of selfloathing or other mental traits such as low self-esteem or
perfectionism. …..they feel the hurt on the outside instead of
on the inside………but it is ineffective because it does not
last……..and thus becomes repetitive
Some may use self-harm as a means to punish themselves
for something they have done instead of changing their
behavior
People who self injure usually go to great lengths to hide the
behaviour. Red flags to be aware of are:
Unexplained frequent injuries, such as cuts and burns
Wearing long pants and long sleeves in warm weather
Low self esteem
Problems handling emotions
Problems with relationships
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Let the person know you care
Be patient and Listen - give the person space to tell you
about how they are feeling
Be non-judgmental
Let them know there is help available to develop better ways
of coping with their intense emotions
Connect them to professional help
Loss of interest in: appearance, socializing,
relationships, work/school
Wide mood swings and extreme outbursts
Major personality change
Expressions of helplessness/hopelessness (i.e. “I
just can't take it anymore”, “it won’t matter soon”)
Expressions of worthlessness and being a burden
High risk behaviour (i.e. alcohol/drug abuse,
promiscuity)
Preoccupation with thoughts of death
Preparations for death, giving away valuables,
calling to say goodbye
Treatment of teens for psychiatric disorder
(i.e. taking certain anti-depressant medication)
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Be familiar with red flags
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Take all mentions of suicide seriously
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Let the person know that you care
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Listen; give the person space to tell you about
how they are feeling
Be non-judgmental
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Don’t be afraid to ask if the person is thinking of
hurting themselves
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If they have a plan DON’T Leave them alone
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Offer hope that there is help available
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Connect suicidal person to professional help
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Shock
Denial
Trying to fix the problems
Blame
Guilt - Can be a tendency to blame yourself
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Others?
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Early assessment and intervention
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Family relationships
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Healthy life style
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Community involvement
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Support network
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When we negatively view someone as having a
“weaker character”
Use of negative or cruel language to describe
mental illness (i.e. make jokes)
Portrayal of people with mental illness in the media
(violent, “crazy”, etc).
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Lack of knowledge regarding the brain
Lack of knowledge about mental illness
The media
◦ Movies
◦ News stories that emphasize a person’s mental
illness as a factor in crime
Behaviors, such as aggression, that are attributed
to mental health disorders
Language used (“psycho”, “schizo”, etc)
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Educate, educate, educate! Learning about mental
health is essential
Open up and start speaking about it, allows for
healing
Make it okay to seek help, especially for men,
encourage others
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Family and social support
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Non medical or Medical Supplements
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Life style changes, diet and exercise
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Counselling
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Community involvement
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Spirituality/faith
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Don’t minimize feelings
Speaking in soothing tones of voice may have a
calming effect
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Equip the individuals with the tools and resources
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Do not enable or excuse behaviors – learn about it
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Model self-help behaviors
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Ask the family how you can help
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Educate ourselves- challenge yourselves and others
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Don’t work alone
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Encourage the caregiver to take care of themselves
first, so they can help each other
Any other suggestions?
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In what ways will you take the time to take care of
yourself this week (eg. taking a bath, spending
time with friends)
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Interest in Support Group for those supporting
family or friends with mental illness
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CMHA Grand River Branch
 Individualized support (Outreach, Short-Term and LongTerm Intensive)
 Mental wellness workshops and seminars
 Family support services through the Family Mental Health
Network
 Peer support through the Self Help Alliance
 Court support and services for youth in the criminal
justice system
Contact:
 Kitchener Office – 519-744-7645 or 1-866-448-1603
 Mobile Crisis Team: 519-744-1813 (24 hrs)
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Front Door
 Crisis services through crisis phone number and Mobile
Crisis Services
 For children, youth, and their families
 Support and resources for parents whose child is
experiencing mental illness
 Walk-in single-session counselling for youth, parents and
children
Contact:
 Kitchener - Front Door (Mon -Fri 8:30-4:30)
 Cambridge - Langs (Thurs 10 - to 5:30)
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Interfaith Community Counselling Centre
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Individualized high-quality counseling services
Parenting coaching and support
Work with clients of all age groups
Sliding-scale fees to make counseling accessible to everyone
Contact:
 519-662-3092
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Coxson, D., Agencies working to break the silence of suicide, New Hamburg
Independent,
July 29, 2010
Hampson, Sarah, Medical access still the key to stopping suicide, Globe and Mail,
January 9, 2011
Canadian Mental Health Association, http://www.cmhagrb.on.ca
Centre for Suicide Prevention, http://ww3.suicideinfo.ca
Waterloo Region Suicide Prevention Council
Public Health Agency of Canada
National Institute of Mental Health
Understanding Mental Health and Mental Illness www.TeenMentalHealth.org