Mental Health Awareness

1. Mental Health Awareness Callie Holt Winter 2012

2. Disclaimer I’m not a professional and am not able to give medical advice. I am only presenting facts and resources.

3. Statistics • 1 in 5 Canadians is affected by a mental health disorder • More than half a million Canadians have activity limitations due to emotional, psychological or psychiatric conditions • Suicide accounts for 24% of all deaths in 15-24 year olds

4. What is a mental disorder? • A health condition characterized by alternations in thinking, mood or behavior associated with distress and/or impaired functioning • Also known as a “mental illness” or “psychiatric disorder”

5. What causes mental disorders? • Biological or chemical imbalances • Personal experiences or circumstances • Traumatic events

6. What mental disorders are there? • Mood disorders • Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Seasonal Affective Disorder • Anxiety disorders • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Phobia & Panic Disorders, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder • Eating disorders • Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge-Eating Disorder • Attention deficit disorders • Attention Deficit Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder • Schizophrenia, Suicide, Psychosis

7. Anxiety • One of the most prevalent mental disorders, affecting approx. 1 in 10 people • More common among women than men • Can coexist with other disorders, especially depression, eating disorders and substance abuse • Many types: panic disorder, phobias (social, specific), PTSD, OCD, generalized anxiety disorder

8. What does anxiety do? • Creates feelings of extreme discomfort, distress, fear or panic • Compounds frightening thoughts until they become reality

9. Stigma • Most people don’t talk about mental disorders because of the negative stigma associated with them • People assume that those with mental disorders are unstable, crazy or just “making it up” • Many people go without help or treatment for years because they’re afraid to talk about how they’re feeling

10. Mental illnesses are real medical disorders, not just mentalweakness.

11. All mental illnesses are treatable.

12. How do we combat stigma? • Be informed about the facts of mental health • Stop using words related to mental disorders in a negative way • Be supportive and open to others

13. Faces of Mental Illness • The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) has created a nationwide campaign called “Faces of Mental Illness” • People share their stories to increase awareness and combat stigma • This gives a “face” to an issue that is usually kept in the shadows

14. Me Diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) Unofficial Face of Mental Health

15. My Experience Returned home, diagnosed with generalized anxiety Went on exchange, had first major panic attack High School First Year Second Year Third Year Now Came to university; coped well but still underlying anxiety from school/social stress in 1A/1B Started seeing councilor

16. My Experience Condition deteriorated, almost failed 2A, had bad work term Condition improved drastically, huge difference in marks and mood in 2B High School First Year Second Year Third Year Now Started seeing councilor on campus and began taking medication

17. My Experience Begin getting involved with volunteering and directorships Totally overwhelmed, almost fail 3A High School First Year Second Year Third Year Now Start feeling very stressed, medication doesn’t seem as effective anymore

18. My Experience High School First Year Second Year Third Year Now Becoming more competent at dealing with anxiety in 3B, trying to be proactive with school

19. Who Can Help? • On-campus • Counseling Services (Needles Hall) • Engineering Counseling (CPH) • Office for Persons with Disabilities (Needles Hall) • Off-campus • Walk-in Clinics • Centre for Mental Health (67 King St. E, Kitchener) • Kids Help Phone (1-800-668-6868)

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