1. Mental Health 101 Katie Perzel MSW, LICSW Vona Center for Mental Health

2. Agenda: What do we mean when we say Mental Health
What are the Common MH Diagnoses
Language “Do’s and Don’t”
Warning Signs of Mental Health
When to refer for services

3. About Me
Mental Health Professional –individual, couples, family, and group therapy (adults and older adults) Director –oversee administrative and clinical functions Presenter –have provided several educational presentations to the public as well as professionals on various mental health topics

4. What do we mean by Mental Health
Mental Illness is:
A medical condition that disrupts one’s thinking, feeling, mood, and behaviors
experienced as a cluster of symptoms
Impairs one’s functioning
school, work, relationships, self-care

5. What do we mean by Mental Health
Different for everyone
not everyone experiences depression the same
Severity continuum
Intensity of symptoms and level of disruption can vary

6. What do we mean by Mental Health
Can be in combination with multiple diagnoses
Symptoms can start appearing
50% of cases by Age 14
75% of cases by Age 24
Treatable

7. What do we mean by Mental Health
Prevalence:
1 in 5 adults have a diagnosable mental health condition
1 in 10 children have a diagnosable mental health condition
Can affect anyone regardless of gender, age, race, religion, or income.

8. What do we mean by Mental Health
Causes:
Biology
Research shows some signs of it being hereditary
Research shows biochemical influence
Environment
Stressors
Traumatic Events

9. What do we mean by Mental Health
It is not:
A personal weakness or character flaw
Something that can be “willed away”
A made up problem in someone’s head

10. Common Diagnoses: Depression Anxiety Bipolar Disorder
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder
Substance Related Disorders
Schizophrenia
Personality Disorders

11. Language “Do’s and Don’ts”
Use person centered language
John has schizophrenia vs. John is a schizophrenic
Use empowering language
Avoid words like: crazy, insane, weird
what’s happened to you? vs. what’s wrong with you?

12. Warning Signs that someone may need help:
Inability to cope with daily tasks
Isolating, withdrawing or neglecting their needs
Unexplained physical symptoms
Changes to Sleeping, Eating, or Energy
Overuse of Alcohol or Drugs

13. Warning Signs that someone may need help:
Daily Sadness, Negative Thinking, Crying
Overwhelming Stress or Feeling on Edge
Frequent Worrying or Ongoing Fears
Bothered by Unwanted Memories
Comments of wanting to giving up

14. Warning Signs that someone may need help:
Recent Loss of Significant Person or Pet
New or Changing Health Problems
Financial Stress or Victimization
Life Transitions: having a child, retirement, divorce
Lack of Purpose: loss of job, life after retirement
Experiencing a Traumatic Situation
Giving away Personal Possessions

15. Warning Signs that someone may need help:
You want to note any concerning change to a person’s previous way of being.

16. Referring for Services
How do you know it is time to refer to mental health services?

17. Referring for Services
Approaching the topic of mental health
Make sure to manage any discomfort you have
Acknowledge and validate
-“thanks for sharing this with me”
-“that must be tough”
Ask how you can help
-“what can I do to help”

18. Referring for Services
Take care not to:
Ignore or avoid
Judge “how about trying a little harder”
Minimize “everyone gets depressed at times”
Jump to problem-solving “about you just start…”

19. Referring for Services
Approaching the topic of mental health
Have resources on hand for next steps
Talk with Primary Doctor
Call their insurance company
Offer names of reputable mental health centers/ clinics
Emphasize power of choice
Encourage vetting provider: what matters most

20. Referring for Services
Starts with them completing an assessment which could recommend:
Psychotherapy/ talk therapy: individual, couples, family, group
Psychiatry: medications
Other community services
Hospitalization

21. Resources: Make It OK Campaign www.makeitok.org NAMI, MN
Vona Center for Mental Health

22. Questions?