Create Open Communication

Creating open communication between you and your child is an essential step towards providing them support. There are many ways to help create this open and safe dialogue, including the following:

• Make opportunities to talk by spending one-on-one time with your child and speaking to them in an environment that they feel comfortable in
• Encourage conversation by starting with open-ended questions, such as “how was your day?” or “what did you do at school today?”
• Listen carefully to what they say and give them your full attention
• Encourage their questions to help them learn it is okay to ask you questions, and reassure them you will answer as truthfully and as best you can

Learn the Warning Signs

Although it is normal for your children to feel stress, worry, or even sadness about returning to school, it is important to also know the warning signs of mental health conditions. If these feelings persist, they may indicate your child needs further support for their mental health. In this case, it is important to speak with your child’s healthcare provider to better understand what they are experiencing and what forms of treatment may be beneficial. 

The following are important to look out for, as they may indicate signs of something more serious:

• Becoming increasingly socially withdrawn
• Falling behind academically 
• Missing multiple days of school
• Expressing interest in harming themselves (if your child is expressing this, it is important to get them immediate help from a healthcare provider)

Discuss Coping Techniques and Self-care

By helping your child learn techniques for coping and self-care, you can help them better manage their mental health. These techniques are not only beneficial for those with a mental health condition, but can also benefit anyone who is experiencing stress, worries, or sadness. There are many ways to practice self-care including, but not limited to:

• Spending time doing physical activities
• Eating nutritious foods
• Working on crafts, playing music, or other activities that allow for creativity
• Allowing for downtime
• Getting enough sleep at night

Finding TREATMENT AND RESOURCES

• To learn more about how to provide support to your child’s mental health, we recommend speaking with their healthcare provider.
• To read more about supporting back to school wellness, the following resources are suggested:
  • NAMI: https://www.nami.org/NAMI/media/NAMI-Media/PDFs/NAMI-Back-to-School-One-Sheet.pdf
  • NIMH: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USNIMH/bulletins/2971479

Mental Health by the Numbers

For those struggling with a mental illness, you are not alone. Millions of Americans are affected by mental illness each year. It is important to understand the prevalence of mental health conditions, and the suicidal thoughts that might follow.

The following statistics on mental illness have been found by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

• Suicide is the 12th leading cause of death overall in the U.S (when looking at all ages)
• 1 in 5 adults in the United States experience mental illness each year
• 1 in 6 of U.S. youth aged 6-17 experience mental illness each year
• 46.2% of U.S. adults with mental illness received treatment in 2020   
• 11% of U.S. adults with mental illness had no insurance coverage in 2020
• 150 million people live in a designated Mental Health Professional Shortage Area
• 12+ million U.S adults had serious thoughts of suicide (2020)

Warning Signs

Warning signs that someone may be at immediate risk for attempting suicide include, but are not limited to:

• Often talking or thinking about death
• Talking about wanting to die or kill themselves
• Feeling intense emotional or physical pain
• Withdrawing from friends and/or family
• Taking extreme risks, such as driving extremely fast or recklessly
• Talking about feeling empty and/or hopeless
• Giving away important processions or creating a will
• Saying goodbye to friends and/or family

Other serious warning signs that someone may be at risk for attempting suicide include, but are not limited to:

• Rapid, extreme mood changes
• Researching methods of killing themselves
• Consuming alcohol often or abusing other substances
• Acting anxious or on edge
• Talking about feelings of guilt or shame

Risk Factors

People of all ages, gender, and background can be at risk of suicide. There is no single cause of suicidal behavior. Although the risk factors vary, they commonly include: 

• Family history of mental illness or substance abuse
• Depression or other mental disorders
• Chronic pain
• Individual history of suicide attempts, or attempts of family members
• Exposure to abuse, including physical and emotional
• Presence of firearms in the home

Supporting Those in a Crisis

It is common for family and friends to have trouble supporting an individual in a crisis. This is commonly due to a lack of understanding, and lack of preparedness. Although the behaviors of those in a crisis may be unpredictable, there are ways to help support a loved one in a crisis. 

• Professional help is likely necessary to help someone in a crisis. Family members should contact the individual’s healthcare provider, or call 911 if in immediate danger.
• Create an open dialogue, and don’t be afraid to ask questions
• Show support and concern
• Be patient
• Do not argue or raise your voice
• Remove any firearms from the home

Crisis Lifeline

If you or a loved one is in a crisis, it is important to get help immediately. If in danger of suicide:

• Call 911
• Go to the nearest emergency room
• Call the toll-free, 24-hour hotline of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988

Finding TREATMENT AND RESOURCES

• To learn more about suicide and suicide prevention, we recommend contacting your health care provider.
• To read more about National Suicide Prevention Week, the following resources are suggested:
  • NIMH: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/suicide-prevention
  • NAMI: https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Common-with-Mental-Illness/Risk-of-Suicide
  • AFSP: https://nspw.afsp.org/
  • Know the Signs: https://www.suicideispreventable.org/

Mental Health by the Numbers

For those struggling with a mental illness, you are not alone. Millions of Americans are affected by mental illness each year. It is important to understand the prevalence of mental health conditions, and the suicidal thoughts that might follow.

The following statistics on mental illness have been found by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

• 1 in 5 adults in the United States experience mental illness each year
• 1 in 6 of U.S. youth aged 6-17 experience mental illness each year
• 46.2% of U.S. adults with mental illness received treatment in 2020   
• 11% of U.S. adults with mental illness had no insurance coverage in 2020
• 150 million people live in a designated Mental Health Professional Shortage Area
• 12+ million U.S adults had serious thoughts of suicide (2020)
• Suicide is the 12th leading cause of death overall in the U.S (when looking at all ages)

Warning Signs

Warning signs that someone may be at immediate risk for attempting suicide include, but are not limited to:

• Often talking or thinking about death
• Talking about wanting to die or kill themselves
• Feeling intense emotional or physical pain
• Withdrawing from friends and/or family
• Taking extreme risks, such as driving extremely fast or recklessly
• Talking about feeling empty and/or hopeless
• Giving away important processions or creating a will
• Saying goodbye to friends and/or family

Other serious warning signs that someone may be at risk for attempting suicide include, but are not limited to:

• Rapid, extreme mood changes
• Researching methods of killing themselves
• Consuming alcohol often or abusing other substances
• Acting anxious or on edge
• Talking about feelings of guilt or shame

Risk Factors

People of all ages, gender, and background can be at risk of suicide. There is no single cause of suicidal behavior. Although the risk factors vary, they commonly include: 

• Family history of mental illness or substance abuse
• Depression or other mental disorders
• Chronic pain
• Individual history of suicide attempts, or attempts of family members
• Exposure to abuse, including physical and emotional
• Presence of firearms in the home

Supporting Those in a Crisis

It is common for family and friends to have trouble supporting an individual in a crisis. This is commonly due to a lack of understanding, and lack of preparedness. Although the behaviors of those in a crisis may be unpredictable, there are ways to help support a loved one in a crisis. 

• Professional help is likely necessary to help someone in a crisis. Family members should contact the individual’s healthcare provider, or call 911 if in immediate danger.
• Create an open dialogue, and don’t be afraid to ask questions
• Show support and concern
• Be patient
• Do not argue or raise your voice
• Remove any firearms from the home

Crisis Lifeline

If you or a loved one is in a crisis, it is important to get help immediately. If in danger of suicide:

• Call 911
• Go to the nearest emergency room
• Call the toll-free, 24-hour hotline of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988

Finding TREATMENT AND RESOURCES

• To learn more about suicide and suicide prevention, we recommend contacting your health care provider.
• To read more about suicide prevention, the following resources are suggested:
  • NIMH: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/suicide-prevention
  • NAMI: https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Common-with-Mental-Illness/Risk-of-Suicide

SIgns and SYmptoms

BPD can affect one’s self image, how they relate to others, and how they act or behave. Common symptoms include, but are not limited to:

• A pattern of unstable intense relationships, that alternate between idealizing someone and believing someone doesn’t care or is cruel
• Intense fear of abandonment, and often frantic efforts to avoid the real or imagined abandonment by friends or family
• Distorted or unstable self image that can often affect mood, goals, relationships, and more
• Impulsive behaviors that can often have dangerous outcomes, such as gambling, reckless driving, substance abuse, unsafe sex, and more
• Self-harming behavior including self injury, suicidal threats, or attempts
• Wide mood swings that can last a few hours or days and include intense feelings of happiness, depression, irritability, or anxiety
• Dissociative feelings, such as feeling cut off from one’s self or out of one’s own body

Causes

The exact causes of borderline personality disorder are not fully understood yet but, experts agree that the disorder is the result of a combination of the following:

• Genetics
• Environmental factors
• Brain function

Treatment

Treatment varies by person, but the most common types of treatment used for BPD include the following: 

• Medication
  • Although there is not one medication specifically made for the main symptoms of BPD, several medications can be used off-label to help treat symptoms.
• Psychotherapy (often called “talk therapy”)
  • Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
  • Psychodynamic psychotherapy

CRISIS HELP

If you or a loved one is in a crisis, it is important to get help immediately. If in danger of suicide:

• Call 911
• Go to the nearest emergency room
• Call the toll-free, 24-hour hotline of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988

RESOURCES and Learn More

• To learn more about BPD, or find out if you may be affected by the disorder, we recommend contacting your health care provider.
• To read more about BPD, the following resources are suggested:
  • NIMH:  https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/borderline-personality-disorder
  • NAMI: https://nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Mental-Health-Conditions/Borderline-Personality-Disorder 

Types of Bipolar Disorder

There are three types of bipolar disorder, each with their own defining characteristics. 

• Bipolar I Disorder: defined by severe manic episodes lasting at least seven days, as well as depressive episodes lasting at least two weeks
• Bipolar II Disorder: defined by pattern of depressive and hypomanic episodes, but not manic episodes as severe as with Bipolar I
• Cyclothymic Disorder: defined by periods of depressive and hypomanic symptoms lasting for at least two years, however, the symptoms do not meet the diagnostic requirements for a hypomanic episode and a depressive episode

SYMPTOMS

People having a manic episode may:

• Feel “up” or “high”
• Feel jumpy or wired
• Have decreased need for sleep
• Talk very fast
• Be distractible
• Feel as though their thoughts are racing
• Have heightened self-confidence and feel more powerful, important, or talented
• Think they can do many things at once
• Engage in risky activities
• Feel irritable
• Experience a loss of appetite

People having a depressive episode may:

• Feel “down” or “empty”
• Feel slowed down
• Feel sad or hopeless
• Increased appetite, leading to possible weight gain
• Have trouble sleeping or be sleeping too much
• Decreased ability to concentrate or make decisions
• Feel unable to do everyday tasks
• Be forgetful
• Talk very slowly
• Have little or no interest in activities that are normally enjoyable

Treatment

Treatment can often provide individuals relief from symptoms. Plans may vary but commonly include a combination of:

• Psychotherapy
  • Psychotherapy (talk therapy) helps reduce symptoms of bipolar disorder for many. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is often used to treat bipolar disorder. CBT teaches individuals to identity and work towards changing negative emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.

• Medication
  • Medications are often used to help decrease the symptoms of bipolar disorder. 
  • Bipolar disorder can be treated with various medications including mood stabilizers, second-generation antipsychotics, and antidepressants. In addition, medications used for sleep or to decrease anxiety may be prescribed.
  • Many people work with their health care provider to try a few medications before deciding which is best for them in the long-term.

Finding TREATMENT AND RESOURCES

• To learn more about bipolar disorder, we recommend contacting your health care provider.
• To read a further overview of bipolar disorder, the following resources are suggested:
  • NIMH: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/bipolar-disorder
  • NAMI:  https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Mental-Health-Conditions/Bipolar-Disorder
  • Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bipolar-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20355955

Origins of Minority Mental Health Month

Minority Mental Health Month, also referred to as BIPOC Mental Health Month, was first recognized in 2008. The month was announced by the United States House of Representatives in honor of Bebe Moore Campbell, founder of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Urban Los Angeles chapter. Miss Campbell advocated for equal healthcare, “we need a national campaign to destigmatize mental illness… It’s not shameful to have a mental illness. Get treatment. Recovery is possible.” Although she passed away in 2006, Minority Mental Health Month has allowed her legacy to carry on and continue to spark change.

Barriers to Care

There are many barriers to mental healthcare for minorities. According to the American Psychiatric Association, common healthcare barriers faced by racial minorities include:

• Stigma related to mental health and mental healthcare
• Language barriers
• Lack of diversity among healthcare providers
• Lack of insurance
• Inadequate health support from programs such as insurance coverage, Medicaid, and more

Addressing HealthCare Disparities

Although there is no one clear answer on how to eliminate disparities in mental healthcare, there are steps that can be taken to create a more inclusive healthcare system. To help create equal access to healthcare for all, as a community we can work together to:

• Increase public knowledge of disparities in healthcare
• Fight stigma among racial minorities and healthcare
• Have a diverse community of healthcare providers
• Raise cultural competency among providers
• Advocate for expanding insurance coverage

Learn More

To learn more about Minority Mental Health Month, we suggest the following resources:

Mental Health America: https://www.mhanational.org/BIPOC-mental-health-month

NAMI California: https://namica.org/blog/bebe-moore-campbell-minority-mental-health-month-2021/

American Psychiatric Association: 

https://www.psychiatry.org/File%20Library/Psychiatrists/Cultural-Competency/Mental-Health-Disparities/Mental-Health-Facts-for-Diverse-Populations.pdf

Use Positive Affirmations

Use positive affirmations to recognize your successes as well as to believe in your ability to reach your goals. The way that we talk to and treat ourselves matters. Many people greatly benefit from using positive affirmations to help boost their self-esteem.

Challenge Negative Thoughts

People commonly think negatively about themselves. Whether it comes in the form of self-doubt, anger, or anything in-between, it can be harmful to view yourself this way. When you find yourself thinking negatively, try to challenge these thoughts. Many times, you will realize that these negative thoughts are in fact far from the truth. Try your best to replace negative or harmful thoughts with more positive ways of thinking.

Identify Your Strengths

Everyone has strengths, but not everyone realizes them. Take time to recognize your strengths and develop them. Knowing what your strengths are can boost your self-esteem and help you combat feelings of doubt.

Set Limits and Learn to Say “No”

Sometimes in the pursuit to please others, we over burden ourselves. Recognize your limits, and own wants and needs. It is okay to say “no” to others in order to protect your own mental health. 

Build Positive Relationships

Our self-esteem is often influenced by those around us. If you are surrounded by negative people, it can be hard to view yourself in a positive way. Focus on developing healthy relationships that build you up, rather than bring you down.

More RESOURCES

• To learn more about self-esteem, we recommend contacting your health care provider.
• To read more tips for improving your self-esteem, the following resources are suggested: 
  • NHS UK: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/self-help/tips-and-support/raise-low-self-esteem/
  • Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/self-esteem/art-20045374