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And here is some mental health information from one of our staff psychologists, Dr. Wright.
The National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) declared this year’s theme for Mental Health Awareness Month as “More than Enough”. The aim of this theme’s goal is to affirm the idea that people are inherently worthy of life, love, and healing. This includes the idea that we are all deserving of care and support regardless of what we may look like, where we are on our journeys, and the level of our abilities. Essentially, this is a message of hope and inclusion to help empower ourselves and others to seek out support, resources, and find a community that cares.
This theme is a call to action to continue building connections and community in our lives as well as within VMRC and for our consumers. An effective way to build these connections is to reduce stigma and recognize the inherent value of those living with mental health conditions and their families who are supporting them. Stigma can only be reduced through education on the challenges experienced by people who are experiencing mental illness as well as learning and understanding the symptoms.
Some quick facts: 65% of Americans are concerned about the stigma around mental illness.
1 in 5 adults in the US experience a mental health condition each year. Mental Illness affects more than 50 million people in the US. Less than 2/3 receive treatment.
Broken down by demographics (most likely an underreported):
• 16% of Asian adults • 21% of Black/African American adults • 18% of Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander adults • 21% of Hispanic adults • 27% of American Indian/Alaska Native adults • 24% of White adults • 35% of multiracial adults • 50% of LGBTQ adults
1 in 6 U.S. youth experience a mental health condition each year, and only half of them receive treatment. • 50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24. • The average delay between onset of mental illness symptoms and treatment is 11 years.
Misconceptions about Mental Illness and Developmental Disabilities: *People with a developmental disability do not have mental illnesses severe enough to need therapy. *People with a developmental disability cannot participate in or benefit from psychotherapy. *People with developmental disabilities already live in a therapeutic environment and do not need mental health services.
Truths about Mental Illness and Developmental Disabilities:
*About one-third of people with developmental disabilities also have a mental illness of some type. *In developmental centers or other institutions, the number can be as high as 7 out of 10.
*Level of intelligence does not predict how well someone will do in psychotherapy. *Mental health treatment can and does improve the overall quality of people’s lives. *Most common mental health issues that those with DD struggle with are Anxiety, Depression, and Traumatic Stress (PTSD).
*People with developmental disabilities may not be able to verbally express the things that are bothering them, look for non-verbal signals of distress and anxiety which can be physiological or behavioral changes. Many symptoms of DD and MI overlap.
Caregiver stress and burnout can also result in mental health symptoms. Parents and families, foster parents, care home staff and operators, service coordinators, and service providers are all at an increased risk of developing anxiety and depression related to their roles and responsibilities.
So, what do we do? Some ways to create connections and community are participating in walks for awareness. Walks bring visibility to struggles by showing solidarity with those who are experiencing mental health symptoms. Think about maybe hosting a fundraiser or event that can raise money for a charitable organization that supports mental health treatment is a great way to create community. The fundraiser can be done in tandem with a skill or interest (such as a sport or craft) or to honor the legacy of someone who was diagnosed with a mental health disorder. If you have a book club, choose a book that deals with mental health issue and discuss with members to explore times in your life where you may have struggled similarly. When looking to connect specifically with family or friends, sponsor a film watch party in your home or online. Open up a discussion forum so that others can talk openly about their reaction or feelings about the content of the movie.
This month, remember the message “More than Enough”, that being there is “enough”, YOU are more than “enough”, and
Mental health care IS Health care.
Have a great month!
Dr. Roxann Wright
VMRC Staff Psychologist
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