1. Raise Awareness Erase Stigma Foster Hope

2.  Introduction to Mental Health  Introduction to Brain Disorders  Mood Disorders  Substance Use Disorders  Eating Disorders  Treatment for Brain Disorders  Medication  Therapy  Other Treatment  Possible Effects of An Untreated Brain Disorder  Suicide

3.  Our mental health is a reflection of how we think, feel, and act in facing life’s situation  It affects how we look at ourselves, our lives, and other people  It affects how we make choices, handle stress, relate to others, and evaluate our opinions or solutions to problems

4.  Brain Disorders are chemical imbalances in the brain  Common brain disorders include, but are not limited to: mood disorders, substance use disorders, and eating disorders  One in five students ages 10-19 will suffer from a brain disorder in their lifetime.

5.  Two common mood disorders are depression and bipolar disorder  Video

6.  Depression is one the most common mood disorders in teens and can be caused by a variety of things such as:  Genetics  Temperament (perfectionism)  Life circumstances (family situations, relationships, etc)  Some common signs and symptoms are:  Loss of interest in activities that one once loved  Persistent sadness  Too much or too little sleep  Feeling helpless or worthless  Difficulty concentrating/focusing  Loss of or increased appetite/weight  Loss of motivation or energy  Feeling irritable, restless, rebellious, angry  Headaches  Fighting with parents or other family members  Thoughts of injury to self or others

7.  This illness is associated with mania alternated by depression  Mania is characterized by high energy, racing thoughts, wild and erratic behavior, spends more money than usual, and can’t sleep at night  Depression is characterized by feelings of hopelessness, loss of energy, and is always sad  Symptoms of depression and mania come and go in episodes

8.  People can become addicted to all sorts of substances such as:  Medications  Illegal drugs (Marijuana, cocaine, heroin, etc.)  Alcohol  Cigarettes/Tobacco  Inhalants such as chemicals and household items (“huffing”)  People who cannot function without taking a substance are consider to be “addicted” and are considered to have an addiction  Those who have an addiction have a substance use disorder.  Substance abuse is c ontinued use of a particular substance to change a person’s mood or state of mind, despite the problems that use causes to their body, their family, in school, or with the law.  Once a person is addicted to alcohol or drugs, the average number of times he or she will be in treatment for their addiction is 7 times.  Video

9.  Poor memory  Having blackouts  Glazed, bloodshot eyes  Frequent nose bleeds  Loss of control over use of substance despite the consequences  Lying, stealing  Anxiety, anger or depression  Signs that someone may be using drugs or alcohol  Withdrawing or keeping secrets from family and friends  Drop in grades  Problems at home, in school, or with police  Frequent and urgent need for money  Losing interest in activities that used to be important  Long-term consequences of substance abuse are:  Brain damage, headaches, damage to heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, dehydration, high blood pressure, decreased short-term memory, personal injury from dangerous and risk taking behavior

10.  Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia are eating disorders  Eating disorders are brain disorders and are a result of psychological and emotional pain and conflict that have not been resolved  90% of high school students are currently on a diet.  Eating disorders effect boys and girls as young as four years of age

11.  A person’s psychological fear of becoming fat leads them to stop eating.  Some signs and symptoms of anorexia nervosa are:  Excessive weight loss, self-starvation  Playing with food  A sense of pleasure and control from not eating  Feeling fat after dramatic weight loss  Begins to “give up” certain food groups (restrictive eating)  The thinner the person gets, the more they think they need to lose weight  Some immediate and long-term consequences are:  Hair loss, muscle loss, spongy, breakable bones  Inability to concentrate  Very slow heart rate, low blood pressure, heart failure  Irregular or absent menstrual periods; infertility  Downy layer of hair over the entire body, including face  Anxiety, fatigue, headaches  Dehydration, dry skin  Death

12.  Characterized by secretive cycle of binge eating followed by purging  Some signs and symptoms are:  Secretly eating large amounts of food in a short time  Feeling out of control while eating  Eating beyond the point of comfortable fullness  Shame, disgust or guilt after bingeing  Vomiting or using laxatives after bingeing  Fasting or over-exercising after a binge  Making excuses to disappear after meals  Weight can vary from thin to obese  Some immediate and long-term consequences are:  Dehydration  Anxiety  Tooth discoloration and decay  Stunted growth  Ulcers in mouth, esophagus (throat) and stomach; even ruptured stomach or esophagus  Headaches  Fatigue  Irregular or absent menstrual periods  Stomach aches; irregular bowel movements  Death

13.  Treatment does work!  Doctors want to treat teenagers early on to prevent future serious problems such as hospitalization or death.  Treatment can include  Medication  Therapy  Things you can also do  Develop a new skill  Develop healthy friendships and role models  Improve your outlook - develop a positive outlook on life  Exercise – moderate exercise 3-5 times a week for one hour  Get appropriate sleep and rest- this could vary by person  Eat properly

14.  Suicide is the third leading cause of death among Americans between ages of 15-24  One in five students ages 10-19 consider suicide as a solution to their problems each year  Suicide is never the answer and there is always help  Voices of Hope video