Chapter 7 Flashcards
Signs and Symptoms of Mental Illness
- Depression lasting for longer than a few weeks
- Lack of motivation for a prolonged period of time
- Persistent feelings of helplessness and /or hopelessness
- Loss of interest in activities previously
enjoyed - Difficulty concentrating and/or sudden
irritability - Disruption in sleep patterns
- Extreme mood swings between depression and mania, sometimes with overly reckless behaviour
- Confused thoughts, delusions, and/or
hallucinations - Talk or thoughts of suicide
Distinguishing Mental Wellness from Mental Illness
The Mental Health Continuum
All of us lie somewhere on the mental health continuum,
depending on our unique genetic makeup, environmental
factors, family dynamics, and stressors in our lives.
Mental health continuum
definitions of mental wellness/illness
Mental wellness.
* At one end of the continuum is “mental wellness.”It exists when there
is a reasonable balance in all aspects of one’s life—physical,
intellectual, social, emotional, and spiritual.
Mental illness.
* At the other end is “mental illness,” a term referring to a range of
emotional and mental health problems that may be long-lasting and
that may interfere with family, school, social, or work-related activities
Factors Contributing to Mental Illness (Mental Wellness)
- Genetic factors. Some mental health problems occur more often in families in which there is a history of mental illness.
- Biological factors. For example, age and gender are believed to affect the rate and prevalence of mental illness, especially
when combined with other factors. - Physical factors. Symptoms can occur in people with a physical illness—for example, people who experience a
physical illness may also experience severe depression. - Environmental factors. Stresses due to finances, relationships, family background, and lack of access to health
care and social supports are all believed to affect mental health
Factors That Influence Our State of Mind
Risk factors
* include physical illness, family problems, physical or sexual abuse, childhood trauma, difficult relationships, and heredity.
* These factors can predispose a person to greater levels of stress and more complex unsettling emotions.
Protective factors
* work in the opposite way to stabilize our emotional well-being.
* These factors reduce or minimize the likelihood of undue
emotional hardship. (e.g., strong family ties and close interpersonal relationships)
Risk Factors Associated with Mental Wellness
At the Individual Level
At the Individual Level
Risk factors can include:
* Genetic influence
* Having a long-term physical illness
* Experiencing discrimination based on race, sexuality, gender, or religion
* Being easily angered
* Communication difficulties
* Low self-esteem
* Childhood abuse/neglect/trauma
At the Individual Level
Protective factors can include:
* A sense of humour
* Spiritual faith
* Good social skills
* A positive attitude about life
* Personal goals
* High self-esteem
* Good problem-solving skills
Risk Factors Associated with Mental Wellness
At the Relationship Level
At the Relationship Level
Risk factors can include:
* Family problems
* Having been severely bullied or physically or sexually abused
* Acting as a caregiver, taking on adult responsibilities
* Associating with friends who engage in high-risk behaviours, such as
experimenting with drugs
* Witnessing family conflict
and violence
At the Relationship Level
Protective factors can include:
* At least one close relationship
* A stable family environment
* Involvement with extended family
* Parents who spend quality
time with their children
* Parental warmth, support, and
clear expectations
* Parental support for education
Risk Factors Associated with Mental Wellness
At the Community Level
At the Community Level
Risk factors can include:
* Having long-standing school
difficulties
* Having few recreational
activities for children and youth
* Lack of basic services (e.g.,
water, housing) in the
community
* Easy access to alcohol and
other substances
* Few economic opportunities
* Being a refugee or asylum
seeker
* violence or war
At the Community Level
Protective factors can include:
* Feeling connected to school
* Strong relationships with teachers
* Teachers who express high
expectations
* Participation in a range of
sports/leisure activities
* Involvement in community activities
* Peers who have conventional
values
* Having a positive role model
* Stable housing
DSM-5
The following major classifications are described in the
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, DSM-5,
published by the American Psychiatric Association
The Mental Health Commission of Canada
A Catalyst for Improving the Mental Health System
Formed in 2007,
* The Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC)
grew out of a recommendation in the first
comprehensive report (title: “Out of the Shadows at
Last”) on mental health, substance use, and the state
of mental health care in Canada
he Mental Health Commission of Canada
The MHCC’s Main Objectives
The MHCC was tasked originally with three major objectives:
* To develop a national mental health strategy
* To create a Knowledge Exchange Centre, with the aim
of mobilizing evidence-based knowledge to improve
best practices and increase dialogue about mental
health issues across Canada
* To oversee the development and implementation of an
anti-stigma and anti-discrimination campaign
The Importance of Destigmatization in Mental Health
- Stigma affects everyone.
- It is important for social workers to recognize the various
forms that stigma can take, the many negative ways in
which it can affect individuals, and some effective
strategies to decrease stigmatization. - Developing awareness of how stigma and stereotypes
affect others and questioning our own attitudes and
feelings are ways to decrease stigma on an individual
basis.
Harmful Reactions to Mental Illness
stigmatizations and stereotyping
Stigmatization
is the expression of negative attitudes/behaviour to
individuals who share a certain characteristic.
* Persons with a mental illness are often stigmatized and outcast, even though they need the same understanding and
support as persons with a physical illness.
* People who stigmatize others cast uninformed judgements on them and form fixed ideas about their illness.
* Stigma worsens the suffering caused by a mental health problem.
Stereotyping is often expressed through demeaning labels, such
as “psycho,” “insane,” “addict,” or “junkie.” Negative words as well
as negative actions inflict emotional damage.
Five Ways to End Stigma
Changing How We See Mental Illness
- Language matters. Explain to people that labelling individuals who are dealing with mental health issues as “psycho” or “crazy” has detrimental effects. Suggest
alternative language that is more respectful of others. - Educate yourself. Learn the facts about myths that exist concerning mental health to help combat stigma.
- Be kind. Treat people who suffer from mental illness like you would treat others who have different illnesses.
- Listen and ask. Do not minimize or trivialize someone’s illness. Try to empathize.
- Talk about it. Sharing stories of lived experiences is one of the best ways to help eradicate stigma.
What Are Concurrent Disorders?
A concurrent disorder is the co-occurrence of a substance use
disorder and a mental health disorder in an individual.
20% of people with mental health have co-occuring substance use problem
Causes and Treatment of Concurrent Disorders
No Simple Causes for Concurrent Disorders
Mental health issues and substance use disorders affect
each other in several ways:
* Substance use may make mental health issues worse.
* Substance use can mask mental health issues.
* Individuals often turn to substance use to relieve or avoid
symptoms of mental health issues.
* Substance use may decrease the effectiveness of
medications, and/or make people forget to administer their
medications.
* If an individual relapses with one problem, the other
problem can be triggered
Causes and Treatment of Concurrent Disorders
Improving Chances for Recovery
The treatment approach depends on the type and severity of an individual’s issues.
* The individual may receive psychosocial treatments (individual or group therapy) or biological treatments (medications), or both.
* Depending on the severity of the substance use and the severity of the mental illness, it may be necessary
to treat one issue first, rather than treating both concurrently
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
ost-traumatic stress disorder is
a condition of persistent mental
and emotional stress occurring
as a result of injury or severe
psychological shock.
PTSD typically involves
disturbance of sleep, constant
vivid recall of the experience, and
dulled responses to others and
to the outside world.
Support and Treatment for PTSD
Early Detection of PTSD: A Key Component in Recovery
Support for individuals with PTSD may include family service agencies;
community mental health agencies; counsellors or therapists; family
doctors; community health centres; settlement agencies; and workplace
Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs).
* Relationships can become strained when an individual experiences
PTSD; thus, families may also seek support.
* Counselling, one-on-one or group therapy, and medication for
depression, anxiety, and sleep problems are common treatments for
individuals diagnosed with PTSD.
* In cognitive processing therapy (CPT), individuals work to confront the
emotions related to traumatizing events
Stories from the Field
- Culturally Competent Practice
Forging therapeutic relationships with culturally diverse clients
* Anwar’s Story… Seeking help for depression and anxiety - Social Work with Transitional Youth
Issues surrounding services for transitional youth
* Mike’s Story… Transitioning into adult services - Indigenous Mental Health
The First Nations Wellness Continuum Model
* Donna’s Story… Reconnecting with the land
Social Worker Profile: Sharicka Reid
