Adapted from material from The American Psychiatric Association, The Mental Health Commission of Canada and The Mental Health Foundation
Over the last number of years, media reports have abounded with the epidemic that mental illness and poor mental health has become, especially with our younger generations. The statistics are clear: “An estimated 1.2 million children and youth in Canada are affected by mental illness—yet, less than 20 per cent will receive appropriate treatment. By age 25, approximately 20 per cent of Canadians will have developed a mental illness (https://ymhc.ngo/resources/ymh-stats/) and “Among children and youth aged 5 to 17, 17% reported poor or fair mental health” (https://www.statcan.gc.ca/o1/en/plus/907-youth-mental-health-spotlight-again-pandemic-drags).
While we all may want to help those struggling, especially our children and teens, it’s sometimes difficult to know what to do or even know what mental health/illness is. This post will provide some information about the different ebetween mental health and mental illness, what some common disorders are and what you can do for your student to help them.
What is Mental Health & Mental Illness
Mental illnesses are health conditions involving significant changes in thinking, emotion, or behaviour (or a combination of these). Mental illnesses are associated with distress and/or problems functioning in social, work, or family activities. Many people who have a mental illness do not want to talk about it. But mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of! It is a medical condition, just like heart disease or diabetes. And mental illnesses are treatable. We now know much more about how the human brain works, and treatments are available to help people successfully manage mental illnesses. Mental illness does not discriminate; it can affect anyone regardless of one’s age, gender, income, social status, race/ethnicity, religion/spirituality, sexual orientation, background, or other aspect of cultural identity. While mental illness can occur at any age, three-fourths of all mental illness begins by age 24. On the other hand, “mental health” is a concept similar to “physical health”: it refers to a state of well-being. Mental health includes our emotions, feelings of connection to others, our thoughts and feelings, and being able to manage life’s highs and lows. The presence or absence of a mental illness is not a predictor of mental health; someone without a mental illness could have poor mental health, just as a person with a mental illness could have excellent mental health.
Common Mental Illnesses
Mental illnesses take many forms. Some are fairly mild and only interfere in limited ways with daily life, such as certain phobias (abnormal fears). Other mental illnesses are so severe that a person may need care in a hospital. The following are short descriptions of some common mental illnesses:
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety is a reaction to fear or stress. Everyone feels anxious sometimes, such as when speaking in front of a group or taking a test. A person may feel his/her heart beating faster, or may be short of breath or feel sick. Normal anxiety can usually be controlled and does not last much longer than the situation that triggers it. When anxiety becomes excessive, involves unfounded dread of everyday situations, and interferes with a person’s life, it may be an anxiety disorder. Nearly 30% of people will experience an anxiety disorder at some time in their lives. Anxiety disorders take many forms like panic disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social anxiety disorder, phobias and generalized anxiety disorder.
Depression
Depression is a potentially serious medical condition that affects how a person feels, thinks, and acts. The primary signs of major depression are that the person feels sad or has no interest or pleasure in normal activities for most of 2 weeks. Activities such as eating, socializing, sex, or recreation lose their appeal. Other symptoms include changes in appetite, sleep changes, agitation, restlessness, or changes in motor movement, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, problems thinking, concentrating, or making decisions, lack of energy, fatigue and thoughts of death or suicide. Depression is more intense and long-lasting than normal sadness. It can develop slowly, draining the energy, pleasure, and meaning from a person’s life. Like anxiety, depression can take different forms such as major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder and postpartum depression.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder can cause dramatic mood swings, from feeling high and energetic to feeling very low, sad, and hopeless. The periods of highs and lows are called episodes of mania or hypomania (lower grades of mania) and depression. During a manic episode, a person may speak rapidly, feel little need for sleep, and become involved in activities with a high potential for risk or pain. During a depressive episode, a person may feel despair, hopelessness, or fatigue. People with bipolar disorder are at higher risk than the general population for alcohol or substance misuse.
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a chronic serious mental illness that usually begins in a person’s 20s. When untreated, it can cause people to have psychotic thinking (impaired perception of reality and ability to communicate), delusions (fixed, false beliefs), or hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t real). Some people with schizophrenia do not recognize that they have a mental illness. Treatment can help relieve many symptoms of schizophrenia, but most people with this illness cope with symptoms their entire lives. Nonetheless, many people with schizophrenia live successfully in their communities and lead rewarding lives.
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can occur after a person has experienced or witnessed a situation involving harm or the threat of harm. People with PTSD may startle easily or be unable to feel positive emotions. They may experience flashbacks of the event that triggered the disorder and be quick to anger.
Addiction/Substance Use Disorders
Addiction is a chronic brain disease that causes compulsive substance use despite harmful consequences. As a result of research, we now know more about how addiction affects the brain and behavior. Addictive Disorders, including substance use disorders and gambling disorder, are mental illnesses defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
(DSM-5®). People take drugs for a variety of reasons—to feel good, to feel better (for example, overcome distressing feelings), to do better, out of curiosity, or because peers are doing it. An initial decision to take drugs is usually voluntary, but with continued use changes take place in the brain impairing a person’s self-control and judgment.
Warning Signs of Mental Illness
-Often talking or writing about death, dying, or suicide when these actions are out of the ordinary
-Making comments about being hopeless, helpless, or worthless
-Expressions of having no reason for living; no sense of purpose in life; saying things like “It would be better if I wasn’t here” or “I want out”
-Increased alcohol and/or drug use
-Withdrawal from friends, family, and community
-Dramatic mood changes
-Changes in behaviour (Sleep, appetite, grades, etc)
What can you do to help
-Be informed. Learn what you can about mental health and how to best support your child.
-Begin discussions early. Don’t wait until it’s too late to talk to your teen about mental health and the resources available to them.
-Emphasize you care for them. Many of those struggling with mental illnesses feel alone, and may just want to know that you’re there for them.
-Don’t try to diagnose or second guess their feelings. You probably aren’t a medical expert and, while you may be happy to talk and offer support, you aren’t a trained counsellor. Try not to make assumptions about what is wrong or jump in too quickly with your own diagnosis or solutions.
-Let them share as much or as little as they want to. Don’t put pressure on them to tell you anything they aren’t ready to talk about. Talking can take a lot of trust and courage. You might be the first person they have been able to talk to about this.
-Keep questions open ended. Say “Why don’t you tell me how you are feeling?” rather than “I can see you are feeling very low”. -Try to keep your language neutral. Give the person time to answer and try not to grill them with too many questions.
-Talk about self-care. Talk about ways of de-stressing or practicing self-care and ask if they find anything helpful. Exercising, having a healthy diet and getting a good nights sleep can help protect mental health and sustain wellbeing.
-Take appropriate action. Don’t hesitate to remove possible means of self-harm or forbid isolation if you’re worried they may be suicidal.
-Seek professional help. Your family doctor will be your primary method to get them more assistance and referrals for your child.
-Set aside alone time with your child. Find activities you can do together, and guard time with them. As they get older, this will be incredibly important.
-Avoid taking on all the load. It’s easy to try to solve all your child’s problems in your home but take note of your limits. Don’t try to handle the enormity of your child’s pain and struggle alone.
-Rely on and point your child back to God. God is there for us, through everything in our lives. Pray for wisdom and help and pray with your child as well.
Resources you can use
https://kidshelpphone.ca/ – Anonymous and confidential communication with individuals who can assist with mental health issues. There are online, text and phone call options. This is for those 18 and under.
https://mindyourmind.ca/ – interactive tools and innovative resources to build capacity and resilience
https://brave-online.com – An interactive, online and evidence-based cognitive behavioural therapy program with complementary programs for parents
https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists – A resource for finding therapists in the Sudbury area
https://ementalhealth.ca – A directory of mental health services and educational information
Family Doctors – These can often be the first point of contact to getting medication or referrals to psychologists. You can find a family doctor at https://www.ontario.ca/page/find-family-doctor-or-nurse-practitioner
https://www.mindbeacon.com/ – Free guided therapy from the Ontario government
211 – Information and referral for community, government, social and health services, including mental health resources across Ontario.
https://bouncebackontario.ca/ – free skill-building program managed by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA).
https://www.connexontario.ca/en-ca/ – Assistance to find assistance with mental health issues and addiction concerns
1.833.456.4566, or text them at 45645 – Talk Suicide Canada can assist with crises you may find yourself in.
911 – If there is a crisis, emergency services may be required
