Are We Prepared to Handle Mental Illness?
One in five children ages 13 to 18 have or will have a severe mental illness. Fifty percent of all mental illness starts at age 14 and 75 percent by age 24. Ninety percent of those who died by suicide had an underlying mental illness. Seventy percent of youth in state and local juvenile systems have a mental Illness. (1)
These statistics are alarming to families bringing up younger children. Fortunately, there are many great tools out there to help educate ourselves and our youth about mental illness. Paul O’Conner has been an advocate, facilitator, and educator for National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Colorado. His son was diagnosed with Bipolar Schizoaffective disorder in 2005 and had this disability since he was about 18 years old (2000). Paul got involved with NAMI by taking the Family to Family (F2F) class around the same time as his son’s diagnosis. The F2F class that NAMI puts on is a lifesaver for so many families/friends who have loved ones with mental illness.
Many people who discover that a family member or friend has a Mental Illness contact NAMI or go to their website https://namicolorado.org/.(1) They are then given direction for getting help with their concerns about their mentally ill loved one. The Jefferson County NAMI Family support group meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month. The Jeffco family support mtg meets @Red Rocks Community Church 11195 W. Belleview Ave, Littleton, CO. The group is free to those who know family members, friends, or are caregivers of persons afflicted with mental illness. Family Support Groups are an important resource for family members and friends who have a loved one living with a mental health condition. These groups provide caring support, insightful group wisdom, coping strategies, and boundary setting skills that will empower you to become better prepared in times of crisis. Living with the everyday struggles of someone with a mental illness and their often refusal or inability to seek proper treatment can take more of a toll on family members and friends than the person suffering with the illness.(1)
Going to a support group is a big first step. It takes courage to admit that you need help. Being able to talk to others experiencing the same heartbreak and struggles is liberating. It is an oasis in an otherwise troubled world you find yourself in. A loved one suffering from mental illness can come from various types of relationships. The loved one may be your mother, spouse, child, neighbor, or best friend. We all have the same goal of better understanding our loved one and how to communicate with them in a Partnering (2) relationship. The F2F class helps us learn about different ways to communicate with our loved ones. It is a 8 session “designated evidence-based program”. This means that research shows that the program significantly improves the coping and problem-solving abilities of the people closest to a person with a mental health condition.”(1)
In the F2F class you will learn the following concepts:
- Solving problems and communicating effectively
- Taking care of yourself and managing your stress
- Supporting your loved one with compassion
- Finding and using local supports and services
- Up-to-date information on mental health conditions and how they affect the brain
- Handling crises
- Current treatments and therapies
- The impact of mental health conditions on the entire family
There are handouts that come with each session. The major disorders that the class deals with are: Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder, Major Depression, Bipolar Disorder (Manic-depressive Disorder), Borderline Personality Disorder, Panic Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and Co-Occurring Brain Disorders (mental illness and combined substance abuse).(1)
The mentally ill often may have an addiction they acquired through self-medicating. Getting the addiction under control is vital to addressing the mental illness. Both should be addressed together but unfortunately the addiction sometimes persists even after the loved one gets the mental illness in a more manageable state.
The Jefferson County NAMI Family support group promotes the great book by author Xavier Amador, PH.D., “I’m Not Sick, I don’t Need Help!”(4) Dr. Amador has experienced mental illness first hand with his brother who had been diagnosed with Schizophrenia. He teaches a “LEAP” (Listen, Emphasize, Agree, Partner) approach to working with those with mental illness. His book is a must read for those trying to communicate with loved ones struggling with mental illness. The book is designed to help someone to understand they have a mental illness and get them into treatment or therapy where a professional can assist with their needs. Often it is medication that balances someone’s biochemistry and stabilizes their mood swings and/or depression etc. Different methods and medications affect people differently.
There are many other tools useful to people needing help and direction. Jefferson County Mental Health (JCMH ) may provide a case manager, nurse, and doctor who are all vital to mental healthcare. JCMH can help if a mentally ill loved one goes in for a 72 hour hold at a hospital or detention at a police department. They can help you find out where your loved one is and get them the medications they need even if they are over 18 and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule applies .
Suicide is a taboo subject in the outside world. In NAMI groups it is a necessary topic that is met head on. You should discuss it openly and honestly with your mentally ill loved ones. It can be emotionally and physically taxing. Outcomes vary depending on the extent of mental illness and quality and quantity of care received.
Mental health care in the United States is measured based on the number of adults with: any mental illness, substance use disorder in the past year, serious thoughts of suicide, any mental illness who did not receive treatment, any mental illness reporting any unmet need, any mental illness who are uninsured, cognitive disability who could not see a doctor due to cost. Colorado is ranked last in the country for mental health (3). NAMI helps push through vital legislation that help us help those with Mental Illness. Whether it means beds, services, or updating laws about mental health care, every little bit helps. NAMIWalks is the biggest money generator for NAMI. They raise 100s of thousands of dollars that are used to help educate and support those suffering with mental illness or those wanting to help those with mental illness.
Sixty percent of adults with a mental illness didn’t receive mental health services within the previous year. Fifty percent of youth with a mental illness didn’t receive mental health services within the previous year.(1)
We can all make a difference in others lives, being prepared for dealing and helping those who have mental illness will not only improve the outcomes and prevent worsening surroundings, but Jesus Christ was an example of reaching out to those in need and building up his kingdom here on Earth.
(1)NAMI website https://namicolorado.org/
(2)”I Am Not Sick I Don’t Need Help” by Xavier Amador
(3) https://mhanational.org/issues/2022/ranking-states
