WELCOME!!! Please form small groups of 6 ish

Transcription

1 WELCOME!!! Please form small groups of 6 ish Try to group with people you don t know yet. Try to have at least 3 institutions represented in each group.

2 Not so weird: Learning how mental health awareness can build psychologically-minded leaders Eri Bentley, Ph.D. Psychologist Utah State University Counseling and Psychological Services

3 A little bit about me... CAPS therapy dog Boris (i.e., my daughter)

4 What is mental health? Mental health is not just the absence of mental disorder. It is defined as a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community. World Health Organization (

5 Introductions! (5-min.) In your small group, please tell each other; Your name Your institution and your leadership role How you know when you are in a state of well-being. well-being - a contented state of being happy and healthy and prosperous (thefreedictionary.com)

6 Mental illness Mental illnesses are medical conditions that disrupt a person's thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others and daily functioning. Just as diabetes is a disorder of the pancreas, mental illnesses are medical conditions that often result in a diminished capacity for coping with the ordinary demands of life. National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) (

7 How can you tell someone is struggling? Moods and feelings Sadness, frequent crying Irritability Anxious, worried Suicide ideation High/manic (overactive, overtalkative, etc) Daily functioning Excessive absences, tardiness Missed assignments Sleep problems Poor hygiene Excessive dieting Lowered grades Coping Excessive drinking or substance use Self-harm behaviors Relationships Withdrawal Fighting Thinking Negative self-talk Difficulty focusing Impulsive

8 College students are at high risk Stressors related to college transition Social changes Life style changes Academic changes Age of peak onset for mental illnesses 75% of people with mental illnesses develop their illnesses by age 24* *NAMI:

9 Over the past school year, students... 50% 45% 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% 1-4 times 5-8 times > 9 times 1% = % = % = 113 American College Health Association - National college health assessment Spring 2008 reference group data report (abridged). Journal of American College Health, 57, pp

10 Do you know someone who is struggling with mental health issues in college?

11 What gets in the way of seeking help? Low mental health literacy* A lack of knowledge of available mental health resources Not knowing how counseling is relevant or helpful A limited understanding of mental illnesses Not thinking their problems are severe enough Insufficient psychological skills Stigma Student Health Services, University of North Carolina Greensboro (

12 Top 10 reported health impediments to students academic performance 1. Stress 2. Cold/flu/sore throat 3. Sleep difficulties 4. Concern for troubled friend or family member 5. Internet use/computer games 6. Depression/anxiety disorder/sad 7. Relationship difficulty 8. Sinus infection/ear infection/bronchitis/strep throat 9. Death of a friend or family member 10. Alcohol use American College Health Association - National college health assessment Spring 2008 reference group data report (abridged). Journal of American College Health, 57, pp

13 Mental health resources on college campuses Small group discussion 5 min. Identify services/resources Identify events Typically available resources Counseling center Student health center / wellness center Disability resource center / Ability center Testing services Students of concern/ Behavioral intervention team Typically available events Awareness/screening days for depression, anxiety, etc.

14 Stigma and stereotypes

15 Rate these statements Most people would think less of someone who has received mental health treatment. 0 (strongly disagree) ~ 5 (strongly agree) I would think less of someone who has received mental health treatment. 0 (strongly disagree) ~ 5 (strongly agree)

16 Perceived vs. personal Stigma 45% 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% Most people... I... Eisenberg, et al. (2009). Stigma and help seeking for mental health among college students. Medical care research and review, 66.,

17 Students have an exaggerated view of public stigma. Personal stigma is associated with reduced help-seeking behaviors. How would you address the issues with personal stigma and perceived stigma on your campus?

18 Famous and successful people with mental illnesses

19 What does it mean to be psychologically-minded leaders? With individual students Referrals Acceptance and support Within your own organization/club/group Staff management Within your campus Campus environment Advocacy Beyond your campus

20 Small group discussion 5~10 min. What does your campus already have? Strengths? What does your campus needs? What can you learn from other schools? How would you prioritize the mental health issues with other important agendas? At what level do you want to intervene? Stigma? Mental health literacy?

21 Contact information Eri Bentley, Ph.D., CGP Licensed Psychologist, Certified Group Psychotherapist Utah State University, Counseling and Psychological Services TSC 306, 0115 Old Main Hill Logan, UT