Nancy Gingerich

Supporting Family and Friends with Mental Illness

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

Interfaith Community Counselling Centre (ICCC), located in New Hamburg (Trinity Lutheran Church)

serving the needs of individuals, couples and families for over 25 years

a registered non-profit organization under the direction of an elected and volunteer Board of Directors

Involved in many communities

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

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”

The symptoms of mental illness are a result of abnormal brain functioning

Mental illness is a brain disorder

It is rarely if ever caused by stress alone

Like physical illness, mental illness often requires some form of treatment

The result of poor parenting The result of poor behavior

The result of personal weakness or bad attitude

The result of a deficit in personality The result of bad spiritual intent

The result of poverty

Some of the illnesses which commonly begin during childhood and persist into adolescence include:

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

(ADHD) Autism Spectrum Disorders Generalized Anxiety Disorder Attachment Disorder

Illnesses that most often begin during adolescence include:

Major Depression Schizophrenia Bipolar Disorder Eating Disorders Specific Anxiety Disorders

Panic Disorder Social Anxiety Disorder Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Addictions

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.

What are some emotions that family members and friends might experience when a loved one is struggling with depression?

It is normal to feel upset when a loved one is struggled with depression

Confused Frustrated Guilt “Walking on eggshells” Helpless

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)

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

Worry Anxiety

Does not interfere with job/school/social life

Feel that concerns are controllable

Specific cause Brief periods Usually not

accompanied by physical symptoms

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

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

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 self-loathing 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

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)

Be familiar with red flags

Take all mentions of suicide seriously

Let the person know that you care

Listen; give the person space to tell you about how they are feeling

Be non-judgmental

Don’t be afraid to ask if the person is thinking of hurting themselves

If they have a plan DON’T Leave them alone

Offer hope that there is help available

Connect suicidal person to professional help

Shock Denial Trying to fix the problems Blame Guilt - Can be a tendency to blame yourself

Others?

Early assessment and intervention

Family relationships

Healthy life style

Community involvement

Support network

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).

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)

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

Family and social support

Non medical or Medical Supplements

Life style changes, diet and exercise

Counselling Community involvement

Spirituality/faith

Don’t minimize feelings

Speaking in soothing tones of voice may have a calming effect

Equip the individuals with the tools and resources

Do not enable or excuse behaviors – learn about it

Model self-help behaviors

Ask the family how you can help

Educate ourselves- challenge yourselves and others

Don’t work alone

Encourage the caregiver to take care of themselves first, so they can help each other

Any other suggestions?

In what ways will you take the time to take care of yourself this week (eg. taking a bath, spending time with friends)

Interest in Support Group for those supporting family or friends with mental illness

CMHA Grand River Branch Individualized support (Outreach, Short-Term and Long-

Term 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)

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)

Interfaith Community Counselling Centre 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

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