LEC 7: Guest- Mental Health Flashcards
How many Canadians will experience mental health problems within a year?
1 in 5 Canadians will experience some mental health problem within one year
What is the statistic on how many Canadians have had mental illness by age 40?
By age 40 1 in 2 Canadians have or have had a mental illness
What is the statistic of people who are living with mental health issues in silence?
2 out of 3 people are living with mental health issues in silence
- Why? stigma that surround mental health
Mental Health Continuum Model: Healthy
- Normal mood fluctuations
- Calm and takes things in stride
- Good sense of humour
- Performing well
- In control mentally
- Few sleep difficulties
- Physically well
- Good energy level
- Physically and socially active
- No or limited alcohol use/ gambling
Mental Health Continuum Model: Reacting
- Irritable/ impatient
- Nervous
- Sadness/ overwhelmed
- Displaced sarcasm
- Procrastination
- Forgetfulness
- Trouble sleeping
- Intrusive thoughts
- Nightmares
- Muscle tension/ headaches
- Low energy
- Decreased activity/ socializing
- Regular but controlled alcohol use/ gambling
Mental Health Continuum Model: Injured
- Anger
- Anxiety
- Pervasively sad/ hopeless
- Negative attitude
- Poor performance/ workaholic
- Poor concentration/ decisions
- Restless disturbed sleep
- Recurrent images/ nightmares
- Increased aches and pains
- Increased fatigue
- Avoidance
- Withdrawal
- Increased alcohol use/ gambling is hard to control
Mental Health Continuum Model: Ill
- Angry outburst/ aggression
- Excessive anxiety/ panic attacks
- Depressed/ suicidal thoughts
- Over insubordination
- Can’t fall asleep or stay asleep
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Physical illness
- Constant fatigue
- Not going out or answering phone
- Alcohol or gambling addiction
- Other addictions
Mental Health Stigma
- 46% of Canadians think people use the term mental illness as an excuse for bad behaviours
- 27% say they would be fearful of being around someone with a serious mental illness
- 42% of Canadians where unsure whether they would socialize with a friend who has a mental illness
- 55% of Canadians said they would be unlikely to enter a spousal relationship with someone who has a mental illness
What are some common stigmas/ perception of mental illness?
a. Prejudice
b. Discrimination
c. Stereotyping and assumptions
- People with depression are lazy, your just being overdramatic
- People with schizophrenia are dangerous
d. Labels
- Schizo
- Schizoid
- Crazy
- Insane
- Weird
What are five ways to challenge stigma?
- Language matters
- Education
- Be non-judgemental
- Listen and ask, ease back on advice
- Talk about it
Challenge Stigma: Language Matters
Try to avoid negative language
- e.g “I am so OCD”
- e.g You don’t have to be crazy to work here but it helps
Challenge Stigma: Education
- Questions others and your own stereotypes
- Learn about mental health issues that you might be judging
Challenge Stigma:Be Non-Judgmental
Don’t judge someone negatively for having a mental illness
Challenge Stigma: Listen and Ask
- Ease back on advice and just listen to the person
- Learn from someone who has mental illness with non-judgmental listening
- Ask the person what is going on and learn if they are willing to share
Challenge Stigma: Talk About It
- Be courageous and speak out against mental health stigma and if possible talk about any mental health issues you have (if you can)
- Open the door for conversation
