MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID

1
(No Transcript)
2
Handling Mental Health Concerns in the
WorkplaceMental Health First Aid USA for
Library Staff

• Presentation by
• Bryan V. Gibb
• Director of Public Education
• The National Council for Community Behavioral
  Healthcare
• Program content based upon Mental Health First
  Aid USA

3
Overview

• How common is mental illness?
• Impact in the workplace
• What is Mental Health First Aid?
• Signs and symptoms of various mental illnesses
• Importance of early intervention, treatment and
  support
• How can you get someone help? How to respond
  safely

4
U.S. Adults with a Mental Disorder in Any One Year
Type of Mental Disorder Adults
Anxiety disorder 18.1 .
Major depressive disorder 6.7 .
Substance use disorder 3.8 .
Bipolar disorder 2.6 .
Eating disorders 2.1 .
Schizophrenia 1.1 .
Any mental disorder 26.2 .
5
Workplace Impact of Mental Illness

• Major Depressive Disorder is the leading cause of
  disability in the U.S. for ages 15-44.
• An estimated 26.2 percent of Americans ages 18
  and older about one in four adults suffer from
  a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year
• Serious mental illnesses (SMIs), which afflict
  about 6 of American adults, cost society 193.2
  billion a year in lost earnings
• Behavioral health issues cause 217 million missed
  workdays annually
• Depression was identified as the most costly
  health condition among a group of 10 large
  employers when combining costs from medical,
  pharmacy, absenteeism, and presenteeism
• (Source 2010 Disability Management Employer
  Coalition Report)

6
What Is a Mental Disorder?
A mental disorder or mental illness is a
diagnosable illness that

• Affects a persons thinking, emotional state, and
  behavior
• Disrupts the persons ability to
• Work
• Carry out daily activities
• Engage in satisfying relationships

7
What Is Mental Health First Aid?

• Mental Health First Aid is the help offered to a
  person developing a mental health problem or
  experiencing a mental health crisis. The first
  aid is given until appropriate treatment and
  support are received or until the crisis resolves.

8
Mental Health First Aid by the Numbers

• 2,400 Instructors
• 49 states, DC Puerto Rico
• 70,000 individuals trained

9
(No Transcript)
10
Why Mental Health First Aid?

• Mental health problems are common.
• Stigma is associated with mental health problems.
• Many people are not well informed about mental
  health problems.
• Professional help is not always on hand.
• People often do not know how to respond. 
• People with mental health problems often do not
  seek help.

11
Spectrum of Mental Health Interventions
12
Mental Health First Aid in the News

• National Public Radio, Morning Edition,
• October 10, 2011
• Mental First Aid How To Help In An Emotional
  Crisis
• by KELLEY WEISS
• National Public Radio, Talk of the Nation
• October 18, 2011
• Mental Health First Aid in the Workplace
• by NEAL CONAN
• NEW YORK TIMES, January 23, 2011
• Positives With Roots In Tragedy On Campus
• By MICHAEL WINERIP
• ABC TV News For your Health segment,
• October 18, 2011
• THE WASHINGTON POST,
• JAN 18, 2011

13
The Mental Health First Aid Action Plan

• Assess for risk of suicide or harm
• Listen nonjudgmentally
• Give reassurance and information
• Encourage appropriate professional help
• Encourage self-help and other support strategies

14
Recovery from Mental Illness

• Recovery is the process in which people are able
  to live, work, learn, and participate fully in
  their communities.
• For some, this is the ability to live a
  fulfilling and productive life despite a
  disability. 
• For others, recovery implies the reduction or
  complete remission of symptoms. 
• Presidents New Freedom Commission on Mental
  Health, 2003

15
What Is Depression?

• Major depressive disorder lasts for at least 2
  weeks and affects a persons
• Emotions, thinking, behavior, and physical
  well-being
• Ability to work and have satisfying relationships

15
16
Signs and Symptoms Depression

• Emotions
• Sadness, anxiety, guilt, anger, mood swings, lack
  of emotional responsiveness, feelings of
  helplessness, hopelessness, irritability
• Thoughts
• Frequent self-criticism, self-blame, pessimism,
  impaired memory and concentration, indecisiveness
  and confusion, tendency to believe others see one
  in a negative light, thoughts of death and
  suicide
• Behaviors
• Crying spells, withdrawal from others, neglect of
  responsibilities, loss of interest in personal
  appearance, loss of motivation, slow movement,
  use of drugs and alcohol
• Physical
• Fatigue, lack of energy, sleeping too much or too
  little, overeating or loss of appetite,
  constipation, weight loss or gain, headaches,
  irregular menstrual cycle, loss of sexual desire,
  unexplained aches and pains

16
17
What Are Anxiety Disorders?

• An anxiety disorder differs from normal stress
  and anxiety.
• An anxiety disorder is more severe, lasts longer
  and interferes with work and relationships.

17
18
Signs and Symptoms Anxiety

• Physical
• Cardiovascular pounding heart, chest pain, rapid
  heartbeat, blushing
• Respiratory fast breathing, shortness of breath
• Neurological dizziness, headache, sweating,
  tingling, numbness 
• Gastrointestinal choking, dry mouth, stomach
  pains, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• Musculoskeletal muscle aches and pains
  (especially neck, shoulders and back),
  restlessness, tremors and shaking, inability to
  relax
• Psychological
• Unrealistic or excessive fear and worry (about
  past and future events), mind racing or going
  blank, decreased concentration and memory,
  indecisiveness, irritability, impatience, anger,
  confusion, restlessness or feeling on edge or
  nervous, fatigue, sleep disturbance, vivid dreams
• Behavioral
• Avoidance of situations, obsessive or compulsive
  behavior, distress in social situations, phobic
  behavior

18
19
Symptoms of a Panic Attack

• Palpitations, pounding heart, or rapid heart rate
• Sweating
• Trembling and shaking
• Shortness of breath, sensations of choking or
  smothering
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Abdominal distress or nausea
• Dizziness, light-headedness, feeling faint,
  unsteady
• Feelings of unreality
• Feelings of being detached from oneself
• Fear of losing control or going crazy
• Fear of dying
• Numbness or tingling
• Chills or hot flashes

19
20
How to Help

• Let the person know you are concerned and willing
  to help
• Ask the person whether he or she knows what has
  happened
• If you dont know it is a panic attack or other
  medical problem
• Check for a medical alert bracelet and follow the
  instructions
• Seek medical assistance
• If the person believes it is a panic attack
• Reassure the person that it is a panic attack
• Ask the person if you can help

?
20
21
How to Help

• Remain calm and speak in a reassuring but firm
  manner.
• Speak clearly and slowly, and use short
  sentences.
• Be patient.
• Avoid any negative reactions.
• Acknowledge that the terror feels very real.
• Remind the person that while a panic attack is
  frightening, it is not life threatening.
• Reassure the person that he or she is safe and
  that the symptoms will pass.

?
21
22
22
23
Signs and Symptoms Psychosis

• Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder are mental
  disorders in which a person has lost some contact
  with reality.
• The person may have severe disturbances in
  thinking, emotion, and behavior.
• Psychosis usually occurs in episodes and is not a
  constant or static condition.
• Difficulties with concentration or attention
• Sense of alteration of self, others, or the
  outside world (e.g., feeling that self or others
  have changed or are acting different in some way)
• Odd ideas
• Unusual perceptual experiences (e.g., a reduction
  in or greater intensity of smell, sound, or
  color)
• Sleep disturbances
• Social isolation or withdrawal
• Reduced ability to carry out work and social
  roles
• Increased energy and over activity

23
24
Signs and Symptoms Psychosis

• Mania
• Increased energy and over activity
• Elated mood
• Need less sleep than usual
• Irritability
• Rapid thinking and speech
• Lack of inhibitions
• Grandiose delusions
• Lack of insight

24
25
Mental Illness Without Early Intervention

• Poorer long-term functioning
• Increased risk of depression and suicide
• Slower psychological maturation and slower uptake
  of adult responsibilities
• Strain on relationships and subsequent loss of
  social supports
• Disruption of education and employment
• Increased use of alcohol and drugs
• Loss of self-esteem and confidence
• Greater chance of problems with the law

25
26
How to Help The Mental Health First Aid Action
Plan

• Assess for risk of suicide or harm
• Listen non judgmentally
• Give reassurance and information
• Encourage appropriate professional help
• Encourage self-help and other support strategies

27
How to Help The Mental Health First Aid
Action Plan

• Assess for Risk of Suicide or Harm
• When helping a person going through a mental
  health crisis, it is important look for signs of
  suicidal thoughts and behaviors and/or
  non-suicidal self-injury.
• Some Warning Signs of Suicide Include
• Threatening to hurt or kill oneself
• Seeking access to means to hurt or kill oneself
• Talking or writing about death, dying or suicide
• Feeling Hopeless
• Acting Recklessly or engaging in risky
  activities
• Increased use of alcohol or drugs
• Withdrawing from family, friends, or society
• Appearing agitated or angry
• Having a dramatic change in mood
• Always seek emergency medical help if the
  persons life is in immediate danger. If you
  have reason to believe someone may be actively
  suicidal, call the National Suicide Prevention
  Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

28
How to Help The Mental Health First Aid Action
Plan

• Listening Non judgmentally
• It may seem simple, but the ability to listen and
  have a meaningful conversation with an individual
  requires skill and patience
• It is important to make an individual feel
  respected, accepted, and understood
• Mental Health First Aid teaches individuals to
  use a set of verbal and nonverbal skills to
  engage in appropriate conversation such as open
  body posture, comfortable eye contact and other
  listening strategies

29
How to Help The Mental Health First Aid Action
Plan

• Give Reassurance and Information
• Mental illnesses are real, treatable illnesses
  from which people can and do recover
• When having a conversation with someone whom you
  believe may be experiencing symptoms of a mental
  illness, it is important to approach the
  conversation with respect and dignity for that
  individual and to not blame the individual for
  his or her symptoms.
• Mental Health First Aid teaches you helpful
  information and resources you can offer to
  someone to provide consistent emotional support
  and practical help

30
How to Help The Mental Health First Aid Action
Plan

• Encourage Appropriate Professional Help
• There are a variety of mental health and
  substance use professionals who can offer help
  when someone is in crisis or may be experiencing
  the signs of symptoms of a mental illness.
• Types of Professionals
• Doctors (primary care physicians or
  psychiatrists)
• Social workers, counselors, and other mental
  healthprofessionals
• Certified peer specialists
• Types of Professional Help
• Talk therapies
• Medication
• Other professional supports
• The Mental Health First Aid course will provide
  you with a variety of local and national
  resources to connect individuals to care, if
  needed.

31
How to Help The Mental Health First Aid Action
Plan

• Encourage Self-Help and Other Support Strategies
• There are many ways individuals who may be
  experiencing symptoms of a mental illness can
  contribute to their own recovery and wellness.
• These strategies may include
• Exercise
• Relaxation and Meditation
• Participating in peer support groups
• Self-help books based on Cognitive Behavioral
  Therapy (CBT)
• Engaging with family, friends, faith, and other
  social networks

32
Mental Illness Violence

• Is there a connection between mental illness and
  violence?
• Can we predict if and when a mentally ill person
  may become violent?
• Read Dr. Reinhards Op-Ed in January 20, 2011
  issue of the Richmond Times Dispatch for more
• No Quick Fixes for Complex Issues
• http//www2.timesdispatch.com/news/oped/2011/jan/2
  0/TDOPIN02-no-quick-fixes-for-complex-issues-ar-78
  5373/

32
33
Mental Health First Aid in your Community

• Custom Training Solutions for organizations
  available
• Visit www.MentalHealthFirstAid.org for further
  information on the course and to find an
  instructor near you.
• Become a fan of Mental Health First Aid USA on
  Facebook get updates and information on a
  variety of mental health topics.
• For any further questions, contact Bryan Gibb at
  bryang_at_thenationalcouncil.org.

33
34
Questions?

• ?

35
(No Transcript)