Stigma What is stigma? What is normal? How do we view people who are different than us? People judge those with mental illness. How does TV portray those with mental illness? Rejections, exclusions, hurt feelings arise from

stigma. What else? Stigma creates feelings of not wanting to seek help

because fear of what people think.

This is the actual clip art that appears when you search for “crazy”

Watch Video I here

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Video I: Discussion What do you see? How does he see himself? What stigma is going on here? Other things?

Mental Health vs. Mental Illness M e n t a l H e a lt h M e n t a l Il ln e s s

“Normal” Wellness Sane Independent

What Else?

What does a mentally healthy person look like?

“Abnormal” Sickness Crazy Needs Help

What Else?

What does a person with a mental illness look like?

Thinking

Feeling

Acting

Watch Video II here

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Video II: Discussion What do you see? What is he thinking? How is he feeling? What are his behaviors? How does he see

himself? What stigma is going on

here? Other things?

The Domino Effect

Create Your Own

Watch Video III here

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Video III: Discussion What do you see? What are the areas of her life that are being

affected? In what ways?

What stigma is going on here? Other things?

Myths of Mental Illness I should be able to handle my mental health issues. Mental illness makes me weak, is something I created, and is all my fault. People will think I am crazy if I get help from a professional. I can tell if someone has a mental illness – they look like they do. People think I am dangerous or violent because of my mental illness. People think that just because I have a mental illness that I have been hospitalized,

put in an insane asylum, or am homeless. I was told that if I try hard enough, my mental illness will go away. I am just too weak

to help myself. Some problems are just a part of growing up. Depression, anxiety, etc. in children and

adolescents is not a mental illness – it is just growing up. People who talk about killing themselves rarely commit suicide. I don’t want to ask someone if they are suicidal, that might just put the thought into

their head. Mental illness can’t affect me.

Here are the Facts! Some mental health problems (e.g., mild anxiety, depression, etc.) can be addressed

with self-help, living a wellness lifestyle, etc. Similar to medical conditions, mental illness is not one’s fault! People do not choose to have a mental illness. People should not be embarrassed or shameful of their mental illness, just like they

should not have such feelings resulting from any other medical condition. Just like a medical condition, people need to seek treatment in order to get better. The earlier the treatment the better. Seeking help is a sign of strength – not weakness. Many individuals live with a mental illness without anyone knowing it. Many people with a mental illness lead productive lives.

More…

Here are the Facts! Cont…

The rate of violence and dangerous behaviors among those with mental illness is not much different from the general population.

Over two-thirds of Americans with a mental illness live independent lives, in communities, and are productive contributors to society.

Only a small portion of people with mental illness are hospitalized; those who are typically are there for a short period of time.

Most mental illnesses cannot be willed away; no matter how hard one tries. 1 in 10 children and adolescents have a mental illness in the USA. Most people who commit suicide have given some verbal clue or warning of their

intentions. Asking someone directly about suicidal intent will often lower anxiety and act as a

deterrent to suicidal behavior. Mental illness is very common. Almost every family in the USA has been affected by

mental illness.

Watch Video IV here

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Video IV: Discussion What do you see? What is she thinking? How is she feeling? What are her behaviors? How does she see

herself? What about suicide? How is she taking care of

herself? Other things?

What do I do to Help? Become involved in their tone of voice and

expression of feelings. Be non-judgmental. Allow them to talk and fully express their feelings. Avoid raising false hopes. Let them make and take responsibility for their own

decisions, actions and feelings. Be empathic!

Contents modified from McGlothlin, J. (2008). Developing clinical skills in suicide assessment, prevention, and treatment, Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Assoc.

What do I do to Help?

Divide problems into parts so that the overall problem is not overwhelming.

Find out how they dealt with problems in the past. Focus on the present. Take appropriate action. Follow up!

Contents modified from McGlothlin, J. (2008). Developing clinical skills in suicide assessment, prevention, and treatment, Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Assoc.

What might be some helpful……ways to approach someone

initially?…words to say?…behaviors?…actions?

Watch Video V here

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Video V: Discussion What do you see? What is she thinking? How is she feeling? What are her behaviors? How is she getting help? How could you help her?

How would you approach her?

Other things?

Who Can Help? Informal Help Hotlines Professional Help Campus Help

Where Can I Find Help?

Creating a Resource Tree

Internal Resources: 5 Things you can do on your own with out anyone’s help Prioritize this list Be creative Personalize it

External Resources: 5 People to contact Prioritize this list People are list appropriate for

the situation You can have multiple trees

Situation: ______________________________________________________________

Watch Video VI here

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Video VI: Discussion What do you see? What is she thinking? How is she feeling? What are her

behaviors? Informal Help? Hotlines? Professional Help? Campus Help? Other things?

Credits….Note: Actors are used in this curriculum to portray individuals with varying degrees of mental health issues. Such actors have training and experience in the mental health profession.

Curriculum Developer: Jason McGlothlin, Ph.D., PCC-S, Associate Professor,

Kent State University

Actor in Video I: Nyema Bedell Actor in Video II: Chad Yates Actor in Video III: Terra Howell Actor in Video IV: LeAnn Motley Actor in Video V: Nicole Bradley Actor in Video VI: Kelsey George

The EndPlease fill out this

brief survey.