MENTAL HEALTH & RELATIONSHIPS Honey Bonjour Kansas State University Intern Family Advocacy Program at Army Community Services

Let’s begin with…. ◦ How many of you here have been affected by mental illness in some way? ◦ How many of you have been diagnosed with a mental illness? A family member? Friend?

What is a mental illness? ◦ According to the Mayo Clinic Staff, a mental illness is a wide range of mental health conditions — disorders that affect your mood, thinking and behavior.

Common Mental Illnesses ◦ Depression ◦ Anxiety Disorder ◦ Bipolar disorder ◦ Substance Abuse ◦ PTSD

Did you know? ◦ What percentage of military members who are afflicted with a mental illness? ◦ How many do you think have to exit the military due to this illness?

Rates and Statistics in Military ◦ The largest study of mental-health risk ever conducted among the U.S. military has found that many soldiers suffer from some form of mental illness, and rates of many of these disorders are much higher in soldiers than in civilians.

More than 1 illness ◦ Almost 25% of nearly 5,500 active- duty, non-deployed Army soldiers surveyed had a mental disorder of some kind, and 11% also had more than one illness

Goodbye Army ◦ The number of soldiers forced to leave the Army solely because of a mental disorder has increased by 64 percent from 2005 to 2009 and accounts for one in nine medical discharges, according to Army statistics.

Ways of Coping What are some ways you and your family cope with mental illness?

It is okay to feel….. ◦ Fear ◦ Shame ◦ Sadness ◦ Anger ◦ Confusion ◦ Embarrassment ◦ Guilt ◦ Frustration ◦ Resentment

Children ◦ Children may distance themselves and act as if they do not care. They often worry about becoming ill themselves just like their parent. ◦ They may even take on different roles in response to this: ◦ Caretaker ◦ Baby ◦ Mourner ◦ Patient ◦ Escapee ◦ Recluse

Spouse or Significant Other ◦ Living with a spouse who has a mental illness can place strain on the existing relationship. ◦ The spouse of an ill person may experience guilt or shame and may blame themselves. ◦ The couple’s social life and physical intimacy may change. ◦ Both partners may feel grief for the loss of the life they had imagined together

On a good note ◦ In contrast, some feel that their relationship has grown stronger through the experience of caring for the person afflicted with the illness.

Family & Friends ◦ Just like children and spouses, your friends and family can also be affected and this can have an impact on the relationship you have with them. Family may need time to accept reality and adjust.

Give and Take is a Healthy Relationship ◦ Self care is important in order for you to care for the ill family member! You yourself must take care of your own well being or you cannot do them any good!

Self Help ◦ Stick to your treatment plan ◦ Avoid alcohol and drug use ◦ Stay active ◦ Don't make important decisions when your symptoms are severe ◦ Determine your priorities ◦ Learn to adopt a positive attitude

How can you help others help you ◦ Educate yourself and others around you about your mental illness. ◦ Teach others about what supports you need. ◦ Recognizing and understanding what your illness challenges and issues are ◦ Seeking Help is a strength not a weakness ◦ Early detection to avoid a crisis

INVISIBLE WOUNDS

If you or someone you know has a mental illness…. and needs help… Behavioral Health Front Desk Phone #’s PSYTRY/PYSCH: SOC WORK SVC: Walk in hours are: Mon-Fri MFLC BLDG 7264: Crisis Center: Chaplain Helpline (24/7)

References ◦ Mental illness Definition - Diseases and Conditions - Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Retrieved from conditions/mental-illness/basics/definition/con http:// conditions/mental-illness/basics/definition/con ◦ All About Depression: Overview. (n.d.). Retrieved from ◦ What is Anxiety? A Guide To Anxiety. (n.d.). Retrieved from ◦ NIMH · Bipolar Disorder. (n.d.). Retrieved from ◦ Addiction | psychiatry.org. (n.d.). Retrieved from ◦ Traumatic Brain Injury and PTSD - PTSD: National Center for PTSD. (n.d.). Retrieved from ◦ Education - Lone Survivor Foundation. (n.d.). Retrieved from ◦ Study: Rates of many mental disorders much higher in soldiers than in civilians - CNN.com. (n.d.). Retrieved from ◦ ◦ Mental illness Lifestyle and home remedies - Diseases and Conditions - Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Retrieved from

References ◦ How mental illness affects family members. (n.d.). Retrieved from illness-on-different-family-members.html ◦ Friendship and Mental Health. (n.d.). Retrieved from

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME!