Mental Illness
DISCLAIMER: It is reiterated that this page is for educational purposes only. If you read or watch something on this page, take a survey, or recognize symptoms, do not panic. Knowing is half the battle but do not self-diagnose.
DISCLAIMER: It is reiterated that this page is for educational purposes only. If you read or watch something on this page, take a survey, or recognize symptoms, do not panic. Knowing is half the battle but do not self-diagnose.
Ask for help! Tell your parents or other trusted adult then have them help you seek professional help from a licensed professional, therapist, counselor, psychiatrist, psychologist, or your family physician. Many Mental Illnesses or Emotional conditions that are diagnosed and not general mental health can be treated and controlled via therapy, medication or a combination of both. Students who already have diagnosed conditions should make sure to consult their professional caregiver before adding to, removing or changing any of your treatments.
Ask for help! Tell your parents or other trusted adult then have them help you seek professional help from a licensed professional, therapist, counselor, psychiatrist, psychologist, or your family physician. Many Mental Illnesses or Emotional conditions that are diagnosed and not general mental health can be treated and controlled via therapy, medication or a combination of both. Students who already have diagnosed conditions should make sure to consult their professional caregiver before adding to, removing or changing any of your treatments.
Mental Illness is a term that many people hear and immediately, have a reaction. In some cases, people develop an idea in their head of a stereotype they may have seen in a movie, series or possibly, from personal interactions. Other people have mixed emotions and feelings that include feelings that demonstrate they are empathetic to what people are going through.
Mental Illness is a term that many people hear and immediately, have a reaction. In some cases, people develop an idea in their head of a stereotype they may have seen in a movie, series or possibly, from personal interactions. Other people have mixed emotions and feelings that include feelings that demonstrate they are empathetic to what people are going through.
Still others, are ignorant (either by choice or by unknown ignorance) to the facts and reality of what people are going through. This page will help just a little, in educating you about what you need to know and be aware of.
Still others, are ignorant (either by choice or by unknown ignorance) to the facts and reality of what people are going through. This page will help just a little, in educating you about what you need to know and be aware of.
There was a large stigma associated with Mental Illness and although there are still some feelings of insecurity and confusion, the conversation and education has steadily increased. Hollywood and music icons for example, have vocalized their support for advocacy and care and at times, their own struggles.
There was a large stigma associated with Mental Illness and although there are still some feelings of insecurity and confusion, the conversation and education has steadily increased. Hollywood and music icons for example, have vocalized their support for advocacy and care and at times, their own struggles.
Partly due to this advocacy, the number of young people diagnosed with a mental illness has risen exponentially over the years compared to the 60's, 70's , 80's and 90's. In fact, According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 49.5% of teens ages 13-18 were diagnosed with a mental illness or emotional condition and 22% were severely impaired because of their condition.
Partly due to this advocacy, the number of young people diagnosed with a mental illness has risen exponentially over the years compared to the 60's, 70's , 80's and 90's. In fact, According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 49.5% of teens ages 13-18 were diagnosed with a mental illness or emotional condition and 22% were severely impaired because of their condition.
Still, we need to understand some facts about this that are really important to understand!
Still, we need to understand some facts about this that are really important to understand!
Facts we must acknowledge before we read further:
Facts we must acknowledge before we read further:
1) The term Mental Illness is really better summed up as Mental and Emotional Illnesses or Conditions.
1) The term Mental Illness is really better summed up as Mental and Emotional Illnesses or Conditions.
2) Mental Illness is different from physical illness because you often can not touch or see the cause of the ailment which make them often difficult to diagnose or make them overly diagnosed
2) Mental Illness is different from physical illness because you often can not touch or see the cause of the ailment which make them often difficult to diagnose or make them overly diagnosed
3) We must watch our words. Too often we throw around terms and label people's actions with serious disorders thus, making light of them and denying their seriousness.
3) We must watch our words. Too often we throw around terms and label people's actions with serious disorders thus, making light of them and denying their seriousness.
4) There is a major difference between general Mental and Emotional Health and Mental (and Emotional) Illness.
4) There is a major difference between general Mental and Emotional Health and Mental (and Emotional) Illness.
CLICK ON TEXT TO EXPAND FOR A MORE DETAILED EXPLANATION OF EACH POINT ABOVE
1) The term Mental Illness is really Mental and Emotional Illnesses that often stem from issues with the chemical and structures of the brain.
1) The term Mental Illness is really Mental and Emotional Illnesses that often stem from issues with the chemical and structures of the brain.
2) Mental Illness is no different than physical illness except, you often can not touch or see the cause of the ailment. Because of this, it is often overlooked or comments are made like "just get over it". The video called"If Physical Health Problems were treated like Mental Health Problems" is particularly powerful in bringing this unfortunate truth out to the service.
2) Mental Illness is no different than physical illness except, you often can not touch or see the cause of the ailment. Because of this, it is often overlooked or comments are made like "just get over it". The video called"If Physical Health Problems were treated like Mental Health Problems" is particularly powerful in bringing this unfortunate truth out to the service.
3) Using the term "they are mentally ill" when you see someone react poorly to a situation or do something irrationally OR calling someone "bi-polar" because they have quick mood swings or get angry super fast is SO SO WRONG due to placing a quick judgement without knowing facts. The people that are actually mentally ill including being bi-polar do not deserve that ridicule or for that matter, lightening of their condition. So, please don't ever do that
3) Using the term "they are mentally ill" when you see someone react poorly to a situation or do something irrationally OR calling someone "bi-polar" because they have quick mood swings or get angry super fast is SO SO WRONG due to placing a quick judgement without knowing facts. The people that are actually mentally ill including being bi-polar do not deserve that ridicule or for that matter, lightening of their condition. So, please don't ever do that
4) There is a difference between general Mental and Emotional Health and Mental (and Emotional) Illness. For example, we all get depressed sometimes and even for prolonged periods of time but we all do not suffer from depression. Another common example is we all suffer from anxiety at varying degrees from time to time but we all do not have an anxiety disorder. Hence, do not ever self-diagnose EVEN if there is a survey to take online somewhere. IF you think you may need help, tell your parents or other trusted adult then seek help from a licensed professional, therapist, counselor, psychiatrist, psychologist, or your family physician.
4) There is a difference between general Mental and Emotional Health and Mental (and Emotional) Illness. For example, we all get depressed sometimes and even for prolonged periods of time but we all do not suffer from depression. Another common example is we all suffer from anxiety at varying degrees from time to time but we all do not have an anxiety disorder. Hence, do not ever self-diagnose EVEN if there is a survey to take online somewhere. IF you think you may need help, tell your parents or other trusted adult then seek help from a licensed professional, therapist, counselor, psychiatrist, psychologist, or your family physician.
We Need to "Mind Our Words" articles
We Need to "Mind Our Words" articles
Graphic on the left is from National Institute of Mental Health. The graphic to the right was re-designed by Mikayla Confair-Gonzalez, RUSH ARTS class of '24
Graphic on the left is from National Institute of Mental Health. The graphic to the right was re-designed by Mikayla Confair-Gonzalez, RUSH ARTS class of '24
FEATURED ARTICLES & resources
FEATURED ARTICLES & resources
Mental Illness: Featured Videos
Mental Illness: Featured Videos
If Physical Health Problems were treated like Mental Health problems (as posted on Asis)
If Physical Health Problems were treated like Mental Health problems (as posted on Asis)
10 common Mental Illnesses (Psych2Go)
10 common Mental Illnesses (Psych2Go)
Most Common Mental Illness Conditions Quick Links
Most Common Mental Illness Conditions Quick Links
(Google Search Results)
(Google Search Results)
Some professionals also include the following conditions:
Some professionals also include the following conditions:
Some people will also include various types of Autism but technically, the conditions that lie on the spectrum of Autism are not considered mental illness. People that are on the spectrum would more correctly be called neurodivergent and the effects range in severness
Some people will also include various types of Autism but technically, the conditions that lie on the spectrum of Autism are not considered mental illness. People that are on the spectrum would more correctly be called neurodivergent and the effects range in severness
FEATURED ONLINE COURSE
FEATURED ONLINE COURSE
This course covers general Mental Health, Stress/Anxiety, Depression, and Suicide Prevention. It is FREE and from the National Federation of High Schools which is the official organization that creates rules for high school sports and supports the Arts. IF you complete the course, it is worth BONUS 50 points for class participation
This course covers general Mental Health, Stress/Anxiety, Depression, and Suicide Prevention. It is FREE and from the National Federation of High Schools which is the official organization that creates rules for high school sports and supports the Arts. IF you complete the course, it is worth BONUS 50 points for class participation