MENTAL HEALTH GROUPS

Aletia Bennett

HSP 305

Human Services Professionals and Small Group Systems

Summer 2013

James Lucal, PH. D

“

”

THERE IS HELP OUT THERE

There are groups for individuals and families that suffer with mental health issues

THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE AFFECTED BY THIS DISEASE

Not just the individuals but everyone who cares about them

WHAT IS AVAILABLE

. There are a variety of organizations that offer support groups for consumers, their family members and friends. Some support groups are peer-led, while others may be led by a mental health professional.

Some organizations now offer on-line support groups, discussion boards, and blogs as additional ways to connect with others in similar situations. These can be helpful additions to in-person support groups and can be especially helpful if there are no groups in your area.

KNOWING WE ARE NOT ALONE MAKES A DIFFERENCE

When people get together

there is hope

IF YOU WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE VALUE OF

CONNECTING WITH OTHERS AND OTHER HELPFUL WELLNESS

TOOLS

SUPPORT GROUPSCAN HELP PEOPLEFEEL CONNECTED

AND PROVIDESUPPORT

There are many types of support groups available

THERE ARE MANY RESOURCES AVAILABLE

includes peer-run

organizations throughout the United States that

offer a variety of

supportive services and

activities.

Directory of consumer-

driven services

If you want to learn more

about the value of

connecting with others

and other helpful

wellness tools

Live your life well

offers information

including descriptions

of community treatment services, support

groups, and other

community services

Network of care

From finding information and descriptions of services to tools and

activities that are available

KNOWING WHAT TO LOOK FOR IS THE FIRST STEP

There is hope and support for those affected by mental illness

“

”

YOU ARE NOT ALONE

Whether you are seeking help for yourself

Or

you are affected by mental illness by someone you care about

knowing you are not alone can make a difference

MENTAL ILLNESS IS A UNIVERSAL AFFLICTIONIt happens to people everywhere

NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE

Locally

Mental health America

can find support groups in your

area

Local self-help group clearing

houses is a starting point to find every type of

self-help group available

Depression recovery groups

offer on-line group support and coaching

Globally

Recovery InternationalThere are over 600 weekly Meetings around the world

International Society for Mental HealthMembers can get to know one another on an informal basisOffers online support boards and groups

THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT THERE TO HELP

FIGURING OUT WHAT TYPE OF HELP IS NEEDED

•Sometimes not knowing what the problem is can be frustrating and

immobilizing for the individual and those that care about them

WHAT IS MENTAL ILLNESS?

•A mental illness is a medical condition that disrupts a person's thinking, feeling, mood, ability to

relate to others and daily functioning

MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES COME IN MANY FORMS

PUTTING THE PUZZLE TOGETHER

WHAT IS NORMAL WHAT IS NOT

• Understanding what's considered normal mental health can be tricky. See how feelings, thoughts and behaviors determine mental health and how to recognize if you or a loved one needs help.

• Sometimes the answer is clear, but often the distinction between mental health and mental illness isn't so obvious

• . Mental health conditions are judged not to be due to a physical disorder and are diagnosed and treated based on signs and symptoms

• Signs and symptoms can affect your: Behavior, Feelings and Thinking

GETTING THE PROPER DIAGNOSIS IS CRUCIAL

• There are mental health diagnostic materials

• There are different types of mental health professionals who diagnose conditions

MENTAL HEALTH DIAGNOSTIC MATERIALS

• The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual

• The Psychodynamic Diagnostic Manual

WHO DIAGNOSES MENTAL ILLNESS?

• Psychiatrists

• Psychologists

• Psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNP)

• Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurses

• Master’s level social workers

• Licensed Professional Counselors

WHAT THEIR QUALIFICATIONS ARE

• Psychiatrists provide medical and psychiatric evaluations. Psychiatrists are physicians with either a doctor of medicine (M.D.) degree or doctor of osteopathy (D.O.) degree, who also has at least four additional years of specialized study and training in psychiatry

• Psychologists have has a doctoral degree (Ph.D., Psy.D. or Ed.D.) in clinical, educational, counseling or research psychology. Psychologists are also licensed by individual states to practice psychology. They can provide psychological testing, evaluations

• Psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNP) have a four-year college degree in nursing (BSN) and also complete an approved masters of science in nursing (MSN) or doctor of nursing practice (DNP). PMHNPs are licensed by individual states and in some states are required to practice under the supervision of a psychiatrist. PMHNPs provide a wide range of services to adults, children, adolescents and their families including assessment and diagnosis,

• Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse – Psychiatric/mental health nurses may have various degrees ranging from associate's (R.N.) to bachelor's (B.S.N.) to master's (M.S.N. or A.P.R.N) to doctoral (D.N.Sc., Ph.D.). Depending on their level of education and licensing, they provide a broad range of psychiatric and medical services, including the assessment

• Master’s level social workers are able to provide assessment

• Licensed Professional Counselors – Licensed professional counselors have a master's degree (M.A. or M.S.) in psychology, counseling or other mental health related fields and typically have two years of supervised post-graduate experience. They may provide services that include assessment and diagnosis of mental health conditions

FIVE AXIS AND TYPES OF MENTAL DISORDERS

• Axis I: Clinical Disorders

• Axis II: Personality Disorders and Mental Retardation

• Axis III: General Medical Condition: Listed here are general medical (physical) concerns that may have a bearing on understanding the client's mental disorder, or in the management of the client's mental disorder.

• Axis IV: Psychosocial and Environmental Problems

• Axis V: Global Assessment of Functioning: This is a number from 1-100 that reflects the caregiver's judgment of the overt level of functioning.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT GROUP FOR THE CORRECT

MENTAL DISORDER

FINDING THE RIGHT SUPPORT GROUP

• Look online

• Contact a local mental health facility

• Call a mental health organization

• Contact the department of social and health services

• Call a treatment facility

• Ask in your community

• Contact a human services professional

• Ask a mental health professional

THERE ARE SPECIALIZEDSUPPORT GROUPS AVAILABLE

Co-dependenceanonymous

Dual diagnosis Of

Oregon

DepressionAnd

BipolarSuppport allience

Child and adolescenceBipolar foundation

Self mutilatorsanonymous

Sidran InstituteAmong other

support groups offers groups

dealing with self-injury

NOW THAT YOU HAVE FOUND THE RIGHT MENTAL HEALTH GROUP

PARTICIPATION IS THE KEY

• Attend groups consistently

• Communicate with the group

• Ask for clarification on issues you do not understand

• Ask for insights

• Ask for help with issues when needed

• Bond with the members

YOU MIGHT WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN MORE THAN ONE SUPPORT GROUP

“

”SUPPORT IS THE KEY

It is O.K. to want help

Everyone needs support and help sometimes

REFERENCESRetrieved: July 24, 2013

www.nami.org

NAMI | Mental Health Professionals

Reviewed by Ken Duckworth, M.D., (May 2013) Mental Health Professionals: Who They Are and How to Find One

Retrieved: July 24, 2013

www.psychcentral.com/disorders

DSM- Psych Central

Grohol, J.M., Psy. D. (July 15, 2013) Mental Disorders: Symptoms and Treatments of Mental Disorders

Retrieved: July 24, 2013

www.apsa.org/...Psychoanalysis/Common_Mental_Health_Diagnoses.asp

Common Mental Health Diagnoses: Psychoanalytic Perspectives

REFERENCES

Retrieved: July 24, 2013

www.nami.org/mental-health

What is mental illness?

Retrieved: July 24, 2013

www.nimh.nih.gov

Explanation of a 5 Axis Diagnosis

Retrieved: July 24, 2013

www.psychiatry.org

DSM - American Psychiatric Association

REFERENCES

Retrieved July 24, 2013

www.mayoclinic.com

Mental health: What's normal, what's not

Retrieved: July 23,2013

https://www.ismho.org/home.asp

Welcome to the International Society for Mental Health Online!

Retrieved: July 23, 2013

http://www.mentalhealthadvocacyinc.org/home/support-groups

Looking for a support Group try Recovery International

REFERENCES

Retrieved: July 22, 2013http://www.mentalhelp.net/selfhelpAmerican Self-help Group Clearing house: Self-help Group Sourcebook Online

Retrieved: July 22, 2013http://networkofcare.org/splash.aspxTrilogy Integrated Resources LLC/ NACCHO/ NACO

Retrieved: July 22, 2013http://www.supportgroupscentral.com/depression/Depression Recovery Groups: A Brighter Outlook

Retrieved: July 22, 2013http://www.nami.org/template.cfm?section=nami_connectionNAMI - The National Alliance on Mental Illness: NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group

REFERENCES

Retrieved: July 23,2013

http://www.iom.int/cms/en/sites/iom/home/what-we-do/migration-health-2/mental-health-and-psychosocial-support.html

Mental Health and Psychosocial Support

Retrieved: July 23, 2013

http://globalmentalhealth.jhu.edu/

Retrieved: July 22,2013

http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/find_support_group

HOW DO I FIND A LOCAL SUPPORT GROUP?