Transcript Understanding Mental Illness

Understanding Mental Illness
Information for
consumers and
supporters at
NSCC
Why we need to understand
NSCC employees have traditionally provided
excellent service to all students who have
come to us pursuing their dreams through
education. Over the years the needs of these
learners have changed. As our post secondary
environment continues to strive towards
education without boundaries, and, mental
health consumers become more comfortable
with accessing our services, we need to learn
as a group so that we can provide better
service to this growing educational community.
What is Mental Illness?
• Mental illness is like
any other illness. It
can manifest itself
in many forms, it is
commonly
misunderstood and it
can be treated.
It’s:
• Biological – linked to
disturbances in the brain
chemistry
• Psychological – affects
thoughts and emotions
• Social – affects stress levels
and life events
Mental Health is :
• Striking a balance in all aspects of your lifesocial, physical, spiritual, economic and mental.
Mental illness is:
• A health condition characterized by alterations in
thinking, mood or behaviour (or some
combination thereof) associated with distress
and or impaired functioning. (Canadian Mental Health Association)
Statistics
• 1 in 5 Canadians (close to 6 million) will be
affected by mental illness at some time in
their lives. Mental health problems often
emerge between the ages of 16 and 24.
• Schizophrenia affects 1% of Canadians
• Mood disorders affect 10% of Canadians
• Anxiety disorders affect 12% of Canadians
Some myths!
• People with mental
illness are violent
and dangerous.
• People with mental
illness are more likely to
be the victims, rather
than the perpetrators
of violence
• People with mental
illness are poor and
less intelligent.
• Mental illness can
affect anyone,
regardless of
intelligence, social class
or income.
• Mental illness is caused by personal weakness.
• Mental illness is an illness (just like diabetes is an illness), and it
has nothing to do with weakness or lack of will power.
• All mental illness is the same and its rare.
• MI is a broad classification of disorders and includes: anxiety,
depression, schizophrenia, personality disorders, eating
disorders and organic brain disorders.
Common Diseases
• Schizophrenia
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Often starts slowly. When
symptoms appear (usually in
adolescence or early adulthood)
they appear more confusing than
serious. We often say, oh
they’re just going through a
phase! They include:
Delusions and hallucinations
Lack of motivation
Social withdrawal
Thought disorders
• Depression
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Depression becomes an illness
when the following feelings are
severe, last for several weeks
and begin to interfere with daily
living. They include:
Worthlessness/hopelessness
Sleeping more or less than usual
Eating more or less than usual
Difficulty concentrating
Decreased sex drive
Avoiding other people
Overwhelming sadness or grief
Feeling unreasonably guilty
• Manic depression
(bipolar disorder)
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These folks experience alternating
mood swings from high (mania) to
low (depression).
Mania feelings include: euphoria,
extreme optimism, exaggerated
self esteem.
Behaviours include: rapid speech,
racing thoughts, decreased need
for sleep, extreme irritability,
impulsivity and recklessness
In the depressive phase they
demonstrate all of the symptoms
in classic depression
• Seasonal Affective
Disorder
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It is thought to be related to
seasonal variations in light that
affects our circadian rhythm
Symptoms include: change in
appetite – craving sweet or
starchy foods, weight gain,
decreased energy, fatigue,
oversleeping, difficulty
concentrating, irritability, anxiety,
despair, avoiding social activities
Often difficulty to distinguish from
depression and bipolar disease
• Anxiety disorders
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A group of illnesses which affect
behaviour, thoughts, emotions and
physical health.
It is not uncommon to be affected
by more than one anxiety disorder
simultaneously
Anxiety disorders can be
accompanied by depression,
eating disorders, substance abuse
and physical disorders
Panic disorder
•
Attacks occur without warning and are accompanied by sudden feelings of
terror. May cause chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath,
dizziness, abdominal pain, feelings of unreality and fear of dying.
Common signs of MI
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Marked changes in personality
Confused thinking
Inability to cope with problems and ADL’s
Strange ideas or delusions
Excessive fears or anxiety
Prolonged feelings of sadness
Extreme highs and lows in mood
Social withdrawal
Manifested in the classroom
• Consistently late or frequent absenteeism
• Low moral
• Disorganized study habits or submission of
assignments
• Lack of cooperation
• Inability to communicate with others or monopolizing
the conversations in the learning environment
• Increased accidents
• Missed deadlines, poor grades, excessive excuses
• Evidence or complaints of excessive fatigue
• Decreased interest in the classroom
When is it an issue?
• Having a mental illness is challenging. It
becomes a disability when the symptoms
of the condition overwhelm the individual
and inhibit the person from successfully
achieving their goals.
How to help
• Get informed
• Speak with the learner directly about the changes
you have seen or if a student discloses actively listen
and ask how you can help
• Talk to other campus staff who have contact with the
learner to share observations and experiences
• Confer with faculty, the campus DRF and CSS
counselors maintaining learner confidentiality
How to help yourself
If you have a diagnosed MI,
consider disclosing to the
people who will be your
academic supports (faculty
and CSS staff) so that
together you can have the
opportunity to create a plan
of action. Proactive planning
will reduce stress for you
and your faculty coach in the
event that your disease
causes frequent, erratic or
extended absences from the
program you are in.
In the classroom
• Do the simple stuff:
• Look at the
environment (lighting,
noise, space,
ventilation)
• Look at the learner
needs (equipment,
support, information,
time, clarity)
Support Strategies
• Learn the techniques associated with
universal instructional design
• Accomodations
• Available through Disability Services upon
registration (documentation required)
• Notetaking or taping of instruction
• Tutoring – academic or organizational
• Preferential seating
• Testing accommodations (quiet room, schedule
changes, supervised breaks)
• Listen to the
learners needs
• Time (extra time to
complete
assignments, tests
and to clarify
instructions)
• Negotiate and
communicate
Available Supports
CSS - services differ at each campus( includes: counseling and referral
processes) check yours out
In a crisis the emergency ward of your local hospital can deal with the
immediate medical crisis
The learners family physician
SSP (student support program) 1-800-268-5211
Mental Health Services for adults – Halifax- information services 902424-4232
Local hospital mental health clinic/services – see your local phone
directory
Canadian Mental Health Association – www.cmha.ca
Local support groups
Want more information?
• Do some researchcontact CMHA
• Ask the CSS staff, Res
Voc and Human Services
Faculty on your campus
for input
• Hit the internet
• Ask a self declared
person with MI how you
can help
• Introduction
Ruth Fraser – Educational Resource Facilitator,
Disability Services
• Presentation
Scott MacGillivray – ALP Counselor, NSCC Pictou
and
Lynn Morris Jamieson - Team Lead/Academic Chair
H&HS, NSCC Cumberland