10.7.14 Mental Illness Awareness In Your School Community
Mental Illness Awareness Week (Oct 5-11, 2014) is a time for education about mental illness such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and other medical conditions that affect a person’s thinking, feelings moods, ability to relate to others and daily functioning. The week also includes National Depression Screening Day (Oct. 9.) and World Mental Health Day (Oct. 10).
These observances call attention to the illness of depression on a national level, educate the public about its symptoms and effective treatments, offer individuals the opportunity to be screened for depression, and connect those in need of treatment to the mental health care system.
Depression affects all walks of life and is a mental health issue that needs to be reported, viewed, and treated with the same urgency and respect as physical health issues. For members of ethnic and racial minority communities, including Asian, Native American, African Americans and Latinos, depression is a significant public health concern. Some of the leading factors contributing to this problem are the many hurdles preventing minorities from seeking treatment. These hurdles can include cultural competency issues, limited access to treatment, and stigma.
Addressing Cultural Concerns in Your Students
Statistics show there is a need for increased mental health care among minorities. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health:
- Suicide attempts for Hispanic girls, grades 9-12, were 70% higher than for White girls in the same age group, in 2011.
- The death rate from suicide for African American men is almost four times that for African American women, in 2009.
- While the overall death rate from suicide for American Indian/Alaska Natives is comparable to the White population, adolescent American Indian/Alaska Native females have death rates at almost four times the rate for White females in the same age groups.
While stigma plays a role in low treatment rates across all populations, it can be more pronounced in some cultural communities. Research indicates that stigma is felt more strongly by the Asian populations than by the White population. In response to this stigma, some Asian American family members may discourage treatment of their children out of concern of a mental health professional breaching confidentiality or worries over damaging a family’s reputation. Limited access to mental health treatment resources and language barriers also contribute to a high incidence of depression among some minority groups and can negatively impact teens.
A Place For Schools
Schools are in a unique position to not only change mental health perceptions among students, but among families and the community as a whole. As schools work with students from a range of different backgrounds, it is increasingly important to include minority groups in mental health awareness. Creating partnerships with community organizations that have access to a variety of populations can help. Educating parents and families through parent nights and multi-lingual outreach materials can also have a major impact.
De-stigmatizing mental health requires collaboration and widespread buy-in from the school community and policy leaders. We know that mental illness can affect people of any age, race, religion, or income. These illnesses are treatable and are not the result of personal weakness, lack of character, or poor upbringing. Maintaining a community and public health focus will help create a world where mental health is viewed and treated with the same gravity as physical health. See more resources here to help #StampoutStigma.
It Takes A Whole Community
If you would like to host a community conversation about adolescent mental health and suicide prevention, Screening for Mental Health has free materials to help you arrange an event. Please contact them at 781-239-0071 or [email protected] to get more information on the national initiative sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA), Community Conversations About Mental Health.
Books, Pencils, Prevention: A Back-to-School Review of Suicide Prevention Resources
Suicide Prevention Week 2014 is September 8-12/World Suicide Prevention Day, September 10th
As we mourn another suicide in recent headlines, we consider the tragic loss of life, and the pain and sadness left in the wake of suicide. Beloved actor and comedian, Robin Williams was a 63 year old man battling depression and addiction for years. His suicide remains heartbreakingly sad, and perhaps ultimately understood, eventually even forgiven by those closest to him. However, the tragedy of suicide in a young person — too early in his or her life to fully grasp the permanency of their actions, not able to believe or really understand that it will, in fact, get better — is something that we should go to extreme efforts to prevent. The teachers, parents, loved ones, and friends left behind struggle to understand and often wonder if there was something they could have done.
School leaders need to be reminded that they CAN do something.
NEA HIN urges all members of the school community to be acutely aware of the potential for one of your friends, classmates, or students to consider suicide. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that suicide is the second leading cause of death for young people ages 10-24 (CDC, 2012). Juxtapose this statistic with the growing research on adolescent brain development. We now understand that the decision-making part of our brains, the pre-frontal cortex, is not even fully developed until about age of 25. We know that, even in an optimal developmental scenario, adolescence is fraught with social, emotional, even academic challenges and stressors. Adults must remind young people that we understand they will face these challenges, but they never need to face them alone.
Four Ways Educators Can Be Proactive in Preventing Youth Suicide:
- Remind students to seek out a friend or trusted adult to talk through their problems and concerns and to come forward if they are worried about a friend.
- Schools must ensure that an adequate staff of caring and appropriately-trained professionals (school counselors, social workers, psychologists and nurses) is keeping a close watch and communicating with students.
- There must be a concerted effort to promote awareness, prevention, and communication.
- NEA HIN strongly encourages schools to provide training for staff and students to recognize the warning signs of suicide – and then act.
The NEA Health Information Network has compiled these educator-friendly resources to ensure all NEA members have access to this information and can be proactive in promoting suicide awareness and prevention programs and policies in their schools and communities.
Winning Your Way to Wellness
NEAHIN is all about wellness, so we couldn’t think of a better raffle prize to offer at the 2014 NEA Expo than the Pulse O2 Personal Fitness Tracker! Tracking calories, activity, heart and pulse rate and even your sleep, this little beauty is like having a tiny personal wellness assistant on your shoulder, helping you look out for you.
You know YOU, the person that so often gets overlooked in life.
We had almost 500 people enter the raffle in Denver and are excited to announce the winners!
Congratulations to the NEAHIN Raffle Winners:
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Kayla Kolbe, Minnesota
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Nadine Hale, New Jersey
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Thomas Holstein, Rhode Island
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Sue Mattry, Pennsylvania
Your prizes are in the mail and you are just days away from a new road to personal wellness. Thanks to all of the entrants – we truly appreciate your support.
On a personal note, I was so impressed by this little gadget I have decided to treat myself to one. I am a person who could really use a “tiny personal wellness assistant” to get me going and keep me motivated. Do you use some sort of fitness tracker? We would love to hear about it! Send in your fitness tracker tips, stories and pictures to [email protected].
Three cheers for wellness,
Bethe
Reflections of an NEA RA Expo Newbie
Armed with my best booth smile, comfortable shoes and 1,000 lip balms to give away, I set out for Denver to get caught up in the pre- Representative Assembly (RA) energy I had been hearing about since joining the organization six months ago. I was excited to see the setting for the RA and to get the chance to meet some of the members we serve.
I was not disappointed.
The vibe, the energy, THE BUZZ I had been hearing about– it was all there. People were truly excited to be there, which is at the heart of any successful event. It was so great to talk to so many members from across the country. Working at headquarters, I don’t get that opportunity often enough, so I made-up for lost time in the Expo’s Hall of Health and Safety.
You told me about the concerns you have about health issues in your schools. You told me how much you love the students you work with. You told your stories, shared your frustrations, asked great questions, and made myself and the rest of the NEA Health Information Network’s team proud to work with and for members like you! Passionate, dedicated, smart, funny people who work so hard to make each day better for the students you serve. In my book, America cannot ask for anything better than that.
So thanks for all that you do, and thanks for the Denver memories! The NEAHIN team looks forward to seeing you all next summer in Orlando. And don’t worry, we’ll bring the lip balm.
Bethe
Associate Executive Director
Suicide Awareness Training and Prevention Requires Ongoing Professional Development
The latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) finds that suicide is the second leading cause of death for young people ages 10-24. According to the 2011 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, more than 1 in 7 high school students in the U.S. reported having seriously considered attempting suicide in the 12 months preceding the survey, and 7.8% of students (about 1 in 13) reported having attempted suicide in the preceding 12 months. Anytime we lose a young person to suicide is one time too many.
Recognizing the First Signs
School personnel are in a prime position to recognize the signs of suicide and make immediate referrals for intervention. They need adequate training to acquire the necessary skills and confidence to intervene with youth at-risk. Readily available training is one way to ensure that all school personnel have a baseline understanding of suicide risk and the referral process. In addition to educators and school leaders, school-based mental health professionals such as counselors, social workers, and psychologists are essential to implementing policies and practices to strengthen a safe and healthy school environment, identify students who may be at risk of suicide, and immediately intervene.
Tragically, many of today’s incidences of school violence are perpetrated by individuals who ultimately intended to commit suicide (and often succeed). Therefore, efforts to reduce school and community violence and ensure student and staff safety in our schools must include an understanding of suicide prevention and what is involved in the identification and referral of students at risk of suicide. Effective suicide prevention is an essential component of any violence prevention effort. Schools will be more effective in suicide prevention with a comprehensive approach that involves better awareness, training, and a coordinated effort to link students and families in need of services with community resources.
NEA strongly encourages our members to include suicide prevention, alertness, and intervention and postvention programs in the ongoing professional development and educator preparation programs for teachers, education support professionals, and specialized instructional support personnel, including school mental health service providers.
What can you do?
- NEA members should familiarize themselves with the suicide prevention resources and information available to school personnel.
- Determine whether your state or school district provides training opportunities for school personnel to identify students in need and respond appropriately.
- Use the available resources to advocate for state, district and/or school board policies that support suicide prevention training programs for school personnel.
The NEA Health Information Network has compiled these educator-friendly resources to ensure all NEA members have access to this information.
More information and numerous resources are available from the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC), the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), and the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration.
Warning Signs for Suicide
These signs may mean someone is at risk for suicide. Risk is greater if a behavior is new or has increased and if it seems related to a painful event, loss, or change. Seek help as soon as possible by contacting a mental health professional or calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
- Talking about wanting to die or to kill oneself
- Looking for a way to kill oneself, such as searching online or buying a gun
- Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
- Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
- Talking about being a burden to others
- Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
- Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly
- Sleeping too little or too much
- Withdrawing or feeling isolated
- Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
- Displaying extreme mood swings
Children’s Mental Health: A Critical Issue Too Often Ignored
Addressing the mental health needs of children and their families is an essential component to improving academic outcomes in school, yet it is too often among the last of students’ needs considered.
Yet mental health issues affect students broadly – it’s estimated that over 20% of children ages 9 to 17 have a mental or addictive disorder. Suicide and depression also greatly affect teens; suicide is the third leading cause of death in youth ages 15-24.
In a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report, the CDC declares that mental health is an important public health issue – and important step on the road to recognizing the impact of childhood mental disorders and developing a public health approach to address children’s mental health. The CDC report goes on to describe mental disorders among children “as serious changes in the ways children typically learn, behave, or handle their emotions.”
Our nation’s schools and the millions of NEA members who work with our children every day are critical players in this effort to inspire resilience and create hope. Addressing the mental health needs of children and their families is an essential component to improving academic outcomes in school, yet it is too often among the last of students’ needs considered.
That’s why today NEA Health Information Network is among the 136 national collaborating organizations joining the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in celebration of the 2014 National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day: Inspiring Resilience, Creating Hope.
Mental health encompasses or intersects with many factors that are directly related to children’s learning and development, including:
- interpersonal relationships
- social-emotional skills
- behavior
- academic motivation
- certain disabilities
- mental illness (e.g., depression, behavioral disorders)
- crisis prevention and response
- school safety
- substance abuse
School-based mental health services include a broad spectrum of assessment, prevention, intervention, postvention, counseling, consultation, and referral activities and services. These services are essential to a school’s ability to ensure a safe and healthy learning environment for all students, address classroom behavior and discipline, promote students’ academic success, prevent and respond to crisis, support students’ social-emotional needs, identify and respond to a serious mental health problem, and support and partner with at-risk families.
The vast majority of school-based services are provided by school-employed school counselors, school psychologists and school social workers. But these services aren’t widely available at all schools, according to the National Education Association’s president, Dennis Van Roekel:
“Trained and licensed counselors, however, are not the regular presence at schools they used to be. Mental health professionals are rotated among schools, if available at all.”
It’s clear that schools need more of these much-needed resources, adding:
“We must dramatically expand our investment in mental health services,” said Van Roekel. “Proper diagnosis can and often starts in our schools, yet we continue to cut funding for school counselors, school social workers, and school psychologists.”
School-based service providers are specially trained in school system functioning and learning, as well as mental health, and focus on how students’ behavior and mental health impacts their ability to learn and be successful in school. School-based service providers coordinate with community-based services so that children and youth receive the support they need in a seamless, coordinated, and comprehensive system of care.
Additionally, school-employed mental health professionals are available to provide ongoing in-service training and consultation for teachers, principals, and other school staff, to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health issues and make the proper referral for services, and implement school-wide programs to promote positive behavior and improve school climate.
These professionals should be available in every school as part of a comprehensive approach to safe schools, to address these critical needs, and support schools in their mission of academic achievement.
The Obama Administration issued a proclamation again this year declaring May as Mental Health Awareness Month and is encouraging a broad range of community activities in its ongoing National Dialogue on Mental Health. Join the conversation online at StampOutStigma.com or on Twitter using the hashtags #mhm2014 and #MentalHealth.
Suicide prevention,awareness, and on-going professional development in schools
Anytime we lose a young person to suicide is one time too many. Tragically, most of today’s school shootings end in both harm to innocents and in the suicide of the perpetrators. Efforts to reduce school and community violence and ensure student and staff safety in our schools must include an understanding of suicide prevention and what is involved in the identification and referral of students at risk of suicide.
According to the latest (2010) data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide is the second leading cause of death for young people ages 10-24 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012). According to the 2011 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, more than 1 in 7 high school students in the U.S. reported having seriously considered attempting suicide in the 12 months preceding the survey, and 7.8% of students (about 1 in 13) reported having attempted suicide in the preceding 12 months.
School personnel are in a prime position to recognize the signs of suicide and make immediate referrals for intervention. They need adequate training to acquire the necessary skills and confidence to intervene with youth at-risk. Required and readily available training is one way to ensure that all school personnel have a baseline understanding of suicide risk and the referral process.
In addition to educators and school leaders, school-based mental health professionals such as counselors, social workers, and psychologists are essential to implementing policies and practices to strengthen a safe and healthy school environment, identify students who may be at risk of suicide, and immediately intervene.
Effective suicide prevention is an essential component of any violence prevention effort. Schools will be more effective in suicide prevention with a comprehensive approach that involves better awareness, training, and a coordinated effort to link students and families in need of services with community resources.
NEA strongly encourages our members to include suicide prevention, alertness, and intervention and postvention programs in the ongoing professional development and educator preparation programs for teachers, education support professionals, and specialized instructional support personnel, including school mental health service providers.
What can you do?
- NEA members should familiarize themselves with the suicide prevention resources and information available to school personnel.
- Determine whether your state or school district provides training opportunities for school personnel to identify students in need and respond appropriately.
- Use the available resources to advocate for state, district and/or school board policies that support suicide prevention training programs for school personnel.
The NEA Health Information Network has compiled these educator-friendly resources here on our website to ensure all members have access to this information.
More information and numerous resources are available from the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC), the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), and the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration.
Managing Holiday Stress: Tips For a Safer Holiday Season
Source: the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
The holiday season can be very busy and stressful. Fostering one’s social and emotional wellness is particularly important during this time. There are many ways to incorporate the Eight Dimensions of Wellness into celebrations, food and drink, social gatherings, and reflections on 2013. Here are a few of our favorite ways to be well during the holiday season:
- Take time for yourself and reach out for support if you need it.
- For a happier, healthier holiday season, it’s important to manage stress.
- Be mindful of your surroundings and what makes you feel at peace during the holiday season.
- Remember that December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. For tips and ideas for supporting a safe holiday season, including alcohol-free seasonal drink recipes, refer to SAMHSA’s free guide, Party Planning Tips for an Alcohol-Safe and Drug-Free Holiday Season.
- Check out MyPlate’s Holiday Makeover series for suggestions on healthy recipes and how to stretch holiday food budgets.
- Participate in holiday events at local community centers and places of worship.
- Get into the holiday spirit by volunteering for others in need.
Share Your Plans and Discuss #HolidayWellness on Social Media
To encourage your community’s #HolidayWellness, share these sample Facebook and Twitter messages and links with your friends and followers.
Facebook:
- For #HolidayWellness, remember to take time for yourself and reach out for support if you need it. http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001Gpf6280vLkhTXvJHLfRxJKOTGTyQgevJlBMww3oDRnDPpm1M21O5vYvjW-SkWVjIbCPKLT2pNmo4ioG1_o_hk_6aCUOya3rP5puNfLOCS61jQxG8Y6uJ6w==
- For #HolidayWellness, it’s important to manage stress during the busy holiday season. You can find some helpful tips at http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001Gpf6280vLkinzSHW63MJn1JeSNMa3xHRQWeFRyUkqwLj1enalwAtkbDbrZtK8vF2WNLQTdcFl7OKLdPPZns0wocw2bltrPFnUCcyhcYZrDNNwMNWWCwsaQ==. How do you stay well during the holiday season?
- Planning a fun, safe holiday party? You can find suggestions at 1.usa.gov/Td0crE. What are your ideas for #HolidayWellness social events?
- For #HolidayWellness, check out MyPlate’s Holiday Makeover for ideas on healthy recipes and how to stretch holiday food budgets at http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001Gpf6280vLkgIzDDvqKsfWdbs6niZj9-hCEhVbrE4OnuRxmApSgm739cY2c_cEhkWhlWozLGhJ4XxM7E7FX_x16HWhnGAt-zLj3onMs3LofonI4W-AhSHvg==. What are your ideas for healthy holiday eating?
- Consider getting into the #HolidayWellness spirit by volunteering for others in need. http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001Gpf6280vLkgP_0YDaFpf5T4UTzGOUM-snTUacsw3ghbeB4p0HD0eVscEiUX5f3R6_oMCQ82fUlBwDQUbOOdtQM7P6BygyUkDKUdavGL1Or7faE2o0EDCrQ==
Twitter:
- For #HolidayWellness, remember to take time for yourself & reach out for support if you need it. 1.usa.gov/18Jju3P
- For #HolidayWellness, it’s important to manage stress. 1.usa.gov/UVOFiF
- For fun, safe #HolidayWellness party ideas, check out 1.usa.gov/Td0crE
- For healthy #HolidayWellness recipes & creative food budgets, check out 1.usa.gov/1bm4QJV
- Consider getting into the #HolidayWellness spirit by volunteering for others in need. 1.usa.gov/1bm557D
Wellness Initiative Links:
New Mental Health Resources For Educators
Today, the President and Vice President host a National Conference on Mental Health. While millions of Americans struggle with mental health problems, those who need help are too often afraid to seek it because of the shame and secrecy associated with mental illness. The conference will bring together people from across the country, including mental health advocates, educators, health care providers, faith leaders, and individuals who have struggled with mental health problems, to discuss how we can all work together to reduce stigma, and help the millions of Americans struggling with mental health problems recognize the importance of reaching out for assistance.
We encourage you to visit mentalhealth.gov and look at the latest resource for educators to help students and colleagues.
Learn More about Ways to Support Your Students and Their Families
- Find how to assess mental health needs in your school and develop and implement a school-based mental health program .
- Find tips for talking to children and youth after a disaster or traumatic event (PDF – 796 KB).
Trauma, Resilience, and PTSD
May is Mental Health month and NEA HIN knows that many educators are experiencing high levels of stress. In 2012, NEA members asked NEA HIN produce new resources on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and educators. These new resources are now available.
While schools are generally safe places for students and staff, we know they are not immune to violence, tragedy, and loss. School staff are often in the position of first responder when it comes to helping students. More than 75% of us will experiences one or more traumatic events in our lifetimes and will likely experience stress symptoms as a result. This is normal and we human beings have an amazing capacity for resilience. Most of us will get better.
Some people will develop acute stress disorder, which has symptoms that are similar to PTSD. The big difference is that these symptoms get better over time. When this normal response continues over a month or does not go away then the problem may be PTSD. Only about 10% of people who experience a trauma will develop PTSD and with help most of those will get better as well.
Resilience is the amazing human ability to cope with stress and can be built Schools play a big role in helping students build resilience through positive connections. Adults can also build resilience through positive connections as well as other strategies for self care. I know it’s a bit of a cliche, but the flight attendant is right. Put your own mask on first!
So as we come to the end of Mental Health Month, take a few minutes to take care of yourself. Tell us how you manage stress and build resilience.