Various Mental Health Treatments To Help Those With A Mental Illness

Here is the good news - mental health is getting more attention from various governments around the world and as a result more mentally ill people have a better chance of a better lifestyle. As soon as someone around you begins to develop the symptoms of mental disorder, it is very important that you consult a mental health care provider and get help for the patient. Getting the right course of treatment helps to improve the condition of a person. In some cases, the patient might be able to recover from the illness which is a great achievement for all concerned.

When it comes to mental health treatment, community treatments are considered to be much more beneficial than hospital treatments. Obviously, psychological treatments are considered to be the most beneficial for people suffering from depression and anxiety disorders, whereas medications are considered to be more suitable for people suffering from mental illness.

The Initial Assessment

Getting the initial assessment done for anyone experiencing symptoms of mental problems is extremely important. A Carer can help the patient by taking him / her to a mental healthcare provider and explaining the symptoms to help the physician make the correct diagnosis. For example, symptoms like difficulty in sleeping, failure to concentrate or any work, a negative feeling towards life in general or feeling 'down' for very long periods of time can indicate that a person is suffering from depression.

After an accurate diagnosis is made, the doctor can then decide on the course of treatment that would be best suited for the concerned patient. A number of times, the diagnosis changes with a change in symptoms. Thus, it is extremely important for the Carer to understand the patient's symptoms to ensure that they can observe any change and if so the right treatment can be sourced.

Psychological Treatments for Mental Health Patients

Psychological treatments for treating patients suffering from mental problems are based on the belief that many problems occur due to the way different people perceive different things, the way they react and think about anything. Psychological treatment is a great way of reducing pressure and strain associated with symptoms of mental illness. However, keep in mind that it takes several weeks or sometimes even months, for the treatment to produce evident results.

Different kinds of psychological therapies which are used for treating mental health illnesses include:

Cognitive Behavior Therapy: This process of treatment involves examining the patient's feelings, behavior, and thoughts and establishing how they get caught up in unhelpful patterns. The therapist works with the patient to develop different ways of acting and thinking. This technique is extremely helpful for treating patients of depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder.
Interpersonal Psychotherapy: This process involves examining the way in which the relationships and interactions of the patient with people around them, affects their own behavior and thinking.
Dialectic Behavior Therapy: This therapy is considered to be ideal for people suffering from borderline personality disorder, in which the patient is unable to handle their emotions. The therapy can help them to manage their responses and emotions in a better manner.

Other Mental Health Treatments Medications: Medications are more suited for patients who get seriously affected due to mental health problems. Antidepressants, mood stabilizing medications, and antipsychotic medications are often prescribed for mental patients.
Electroconvulsive Therapy: This is known to be quite effective for treating severe depression as well as for other mental illness. The process involves giving anesthetics and relaxants to the patients, after which the doctor passes an electric current through the patient's brain.
Community Support: This includes providing the required information, help in finding work, education in health and better management, training, and psychosocial rehabilitations, as well as mutual support groups.Chronic illnesses need medication but what is a problem is that many patients do not agree that there is anything wrong with them and do not want to continue treatment. This is where there becomes a problem as far as control and recovery from a mental illness is concerned.

Until a patient is in a fairly stable place they do not understand that they are actually ill and that they do need the help of medication in the recovery process.

Kaye Dennan is the author of an ebook 'Carer Coping Strategies'. Kaye has been a carer for 10 years and has been a Carers' Support group facilitator for 3 years. To read more about mental health carer's coping strategies or for more insight into mental health carer problems visit http://www.schizophrenia-carers.com/

View the original article here ezine.com

Mental Illness - A Carers Life Can Be One of Turmoil

"My Life Is In Turmoil! How Am I Going To Cope?"

These were the first thoughts that crossed my mind when my son was admitted to a mental health ward for the first time 12 years ago. Let me give you a quick insight as to how I had come to these thoughts before I explain more about the first visit.

He had been displaying some very odd signs but we thought that maybe he had been taking some drugs and that was the result.

He had not slept for several days apparently (he was not living at home at the time) and I did not realise the severity of these signs until a couple of times within two days he went out in his car, left the car and did not know where it was. When we found it each time it was in the strangest of places.

Following this we took him to the hospital where he was diagnosed as having a mental illness and was kept in hospital for a week.

My Utter Horror

While waiting for my son to be assessed I was wandering around outside, partly dazed as I knew he was seeing mental health doctors, and I saw this big wire cage off one end of the ground floor ward. I thought to myself, "OMG, what on earth would that be for?" There were people wandering around in there and even the thought 'low risk criminals' crossed my mind.

After the consultation we were told that my son at the age of 24 was being admitted to the mental health ward and to my horror, guess what, the cage was the outside area of the mental health ward.

There Started The Roller Coaster Ride Of My Life

As you can imagine I have never cried so much in all my life as through that week. As a parent of a much loved son this was all too much to comprehend.

How many words can be used to describe life from then on?

What Can A Carer Expect To Experience On The First Hospitalization Of Their Child?

Carers of family members (and I include juvenile carers looking after parents) will never have the life again that they had before the illness took hold.

Juvenile carers develop emotionally well before their time and their emotions for the rest of their life I just cannot conceive, nor understand what they go through.

Parents of a child being committed to a mental facility experiences so many emotions that I wonder if they can ever get a grip on what those first times were like.

The list goes like this:

*shock
*numbness
*desire to understand
*horror at what they are told
*guilt*hopelessness
*isolation
*desperation
*protectiveness
*denial
*blame
*remorse
*fear
*anger
*aggression
*depression
*relief at finding out there is something wrong
*anxiety to get it fixed
*loneliness at who to talk to
*can't be true

So with a list like this you can understand that the health of the carer is going to be affected as the stress levels sky rocket. These emotions will cause reactions like: lack of sleep, change of eating habits, the shakes, feeling nauseous, exhaustion, headaches, short temper, overindulging in alcohol, smoking heavily, and other problems that are related to stress which could be diarrhoea or constipation.

Family Relationships

The affect on the whole family at a time like this is enormous. Some families pull together and other families fall apart as the stress causes blame and guilt that rips a family apart. Even the extended family can come in on the emotions and the result from that can also be hopelessly negative.

Fear And Lack Of Understanding

Family and friends who have not experienced mental illness in their own immediate family have no idea what a parent in this circumstance is going through. Other family members may be scared that it is genetic and could run in their family and friends can see the change in you and wonder what it is all about.

The purpose of this article is to let carers who experience these emotions know that it is quite normal and that there are many others who have been there too and there are support systems around the world which can help. Turn to these people who you might want to talk to only once or for weeks, but don't let isolation set in. Even if you cannot get out and meet these people for whatever reason there is the phone so use it and find someone to listen, but only talk to those that take a more positive position.

And most importantly take care of yourself.

Kaye Dennan is the author of an ebook 'Carer Coping Strategies'. Kaye has been a carer for 10 years and has been a Carers' Support group facilitator for 3 years. To read more about mental health carer's coping strategies or for more insight into mental health carer problems visit http://schizophrenia-carers.com/

View the original article here ezine.com

The Effects of Mental Illness on Relationships

Often times we as mental health consumers get caught up in our own problems and dilemmas surrounding our illness, that we forget about those who due to association with us are affected as well. I'm not in any way saying that the pain and anguish that we as consumers suffer should be looked at in an empathetic way, but the fact remains that our mood changes and other symptoms that trouble us also trouble those in our lives as well. If we look at it in the proper context than we would see that not only do we suffer from the disease in of its self, but we should take note that as a whole our lives that we lead affect other people as well. In taking note of that fact, we should be aware of how we effect others and keep in constant communication about the thoughts and feelings others have about how the disease is effecting them. We should do this so that communication lines are open that will one, inform us of when we might be symptomatic, and two, to allow the growth for healing when our disease takes effect on the people that we love regarding their emotions, patience, and other introspective thoughts.

In my own experience I had to deal with the notion of being able to get past the thought process that I was the one suffering and the disdain that I had for someone in my support network who claimed that they were as well. This would even lead me to the point of being angry at someone who insinuated that I was not the only person who hurt. This thinking is a poor way to manage our illness and will only cause more pain and less support from the ones that love us as they in turn in a sense wear down as they feel that their emotions are not included in your own thoughts as well. In essence this is a thoughtless way to think, but one easy to understand for other consumers whose main existence sometimes consist of keeping one's self in balance mentally. However, it is a harmful train of thought that needs at some point in a persons personal journey of recovery to be examined and steps put in place to let our supporters know that we care and understand how they feel as a person who champions us in our struggles as well.

NAMI although best known for the support of families and consumers who have been the victim of this disease has made great strides in bringing relief and understanding to its members. But there is still lacking a fundamental way to break the barriers of the actual problem that exists perpetuated by this disease, where neither the consumer our they loved one is in cue with the other person. Sure, there are groups for families of people effected and there are groups for the consumer themselves, but none exist in an effort to bring about a true all around healing form a disease that effects every facet of a person's life, and leaves much destruction in its path especially in the way of relationships.

In celebrating this Independence Day I began to reflect on things regarding our disease. We as consumers seek freedom from things like forced injections and forced electroshock treatments, as well as forced hospitalizations and other sketchy happenings in the mental health field which bring us a sense of imprisonment without due civil hearings which we are a part of. We seek the right to choose our own health provider even though many of our states individual systems are run in a one system serves all scheme. While all of these are important to our cause we also need to be aware of the freedom that other people have in the right not to have their rights infringed on by someone who is seeking their rights to be preserved. I know that this is a tight rope walking train of thought, but we need to accept that even though we may have an illness and be suffering symptoms, it is not an entitlement to us to force others to accept the actions that we present with when symptomatic. If we start with the basis and use it in the context of us as consumers and how we relate to those who support us, and adapt our issues of being symptomatic and how it effects them, and make sure that we are the ones that change adhering to the fact that we are the ones with the disease and recovery is a responsibility, then we would be able to see it on a larger scale as well. I hope you had a happy Fourth of July and that you brought to remembrance those who have laid down their lives so that we are afforded the rights which we have today. God bless.

J.D.Grace, QMHPP Consumer Advocate

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Treatment for Your Mental Illness Based on Carl Jung's Method of Dream Interpretation

You are lucky because today you can easily learn Carl Jung's method of dream interpretation and find a free and safe treatment for your mental illness by translating the meaning of your own dreams. This is a spectacular alternative.

The wisdom of the unconscious mind that produces our dreams proves the existence of a superior creature. Your dreams are sent by God through the unconscious mind. However, you must learn the right way to translate the precious meaning of dreams if you want to understand the divine unconscious wisdom. Only Carl Jung could discover the mysterious meaning of the symbolic dream language, and only I had the courage to continue his dangerous research.

There is too much craziness in the human brain. Human beings are basically under-developed primates who must work changing their behavior in order to evolve.

If you suffer from a mental illness, you are not an exception. You are the confirmation of a tragic rule. Most people suffer from a mental illness without understanding that they don't control their thoughts and their behavior. They ignore the fact that they are controlled by their anti-conscience.

On the other hand, nobody really knows what should be considered normal or absurd on Earth. Many contrasting opinions and definitions couldn't prove to the world what it really means to be balanced or mentally ill.

The scientific method of dream interpretation that accurately translates the meaning of the unconscious messages in your dreams will help you understand the unconscious lessons. The unconscious mind will teach you what is good or bad. You'll have many explanations in dreams. The unconscious mind is a very generous teacher and doctor.

You'll find a treatment for your mental illness based on the unconscious wisdom. The unconscious mind will answer all your questions in dreams, and show you how to eliminate the influence of your anti-conscience. This is how you will stop being mentally ill, and find sound mental health that lasts for life.

The difference between balance and craziness is based on the absence or on the existence of sensitivity in your psyche. You will be balanced if you show compassion, and you always forgive your enemies. You will be balanced if you are always generous, humble, and sincere. Otherwise, the violent tendencies you have inherited into the biggest part of your brain will control your behavior and ruin your human personality.

Once you start following dream therapy you will stop having absurd thoughts, strange feelings, nightmares, and recurring dreams. The scientific method of dream interpretation is a bridge that unites you with your natural doctor; the divine unconscious mind. You learn how to interpret the meaning of the dream images based on the unconscious logic. You learn how to follow the wise unconscious guidance and improve your life.

After understanding the meaning of the dream language, you'll have the unconscious guidance forever showing you how to avoid all dangers, and always triumph.

For example, after seeing a fly in a dream, you will understand that something is bothering you, and you are not seeing obvious truths.

After seeing a river in a dream you will understand that you must study the content of your anti-conscience. You have to cross the river and learn what exists in the other side.

Many times only by seeing a dream symbol in a dream you will already understand how your future life will be, or what you have to do in order to prevent bad future results. You will understand how your brain works, and how to completely evolve, acquiring total consciousness.

You will also be able to practically read other people's minds by observing various revealing details in their behavior. You'll easily understand when someone is controlled by their anti-conscience, being able to avoid conspiracies against you.

The treatment you find when you translate the meaning of your dreams eliminates your mental illness, and transforms you into a balanced, calm, and wise human being. After passing through dream therapy you never let the evilness of the world affect your behavior. You are always kind, balanced, and wise, independently of the absurdity of your environment. You never lose control; you never use violence. You also help the world find balance thanks to your superior attitude.

Christina Sponias continued Carl Jung's research into the human psyche, discovering the cure for all mental illnesses, and simplifying the scientific method of dream interpretation that teaches you how to exactly translate the meaning of your dreams, so that you can find health, wisdom and happiness.

Learn more at: http://www.scientificdreaminterpretation.com/.

Click Here to download a Free Sample of the eBook Dream Interpretation as a Science (86 pages!).

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Helping Patients Get Over The Stigma Of Mental Illness

Stigma refers to the condition in which someone judges you depending on any particular personal trait. The sad part is that most of the people who suffer from mental illness face such a stigma quite commonly. Stigma of mental illness can be both direct and obvious, for instance, when someone comments negatively on your mental condition or treatment; or subtle, such as a person assuming that you might be violent or unstable due to an underlying health condition. Some patients may even judge themselves.

The most common detrimental effects of stigma include:

• Not being understood by friends, family, colleagues or other people around you.
• Discrimination at school or work or in the society.
• Problems in finding housing opportunities.
• Harassment, bullying, or physical violence.
• Health insurance which doesn't offer coverage for mental illnesses.
• Having a belief that you will never succeed in any challenge and that you are incapable of improving your condition.

Ways to Help a Patient Cope Up with Stigma

Read on to find out the ways in which you can help a patient of mental illness cope up with the stigma related to the condition.

1. Get the right treatment for them: Most of the mental patients are reluctant to admit that they suffer from any kind of medical condition for which they need treatment. Help them to overcome their fear of being 'labeled' as a mental patient, which often prevent them from getting help. Treatment of the condition can be extremely helpful as it can help in identifying the root of the problem and in reducing symptoms which often hinder one's personal life or work.

2. Don't allow the stigma to develop shame and self-doubt in the mental patient. It is not necessary that stigma will always come from someone else. Some people believe that their connection is being caused due to their own personal weakness. Taking the help of a psychologist, encouraging interaction with other and educating them about their mental condition will help them to overcome self-judgment and gain self-esteem.

3. Encourage them to joint a local support group. Few groups like National Alliance for Mental Illness offer programs to help decrease stigma by educating mental patients, their family members as well as general public about the same.

4. In case your child is a patient of mental illness which has a negative impact of his / her learning abilities, try to find help through him / her school by taking the help of teachers and administrators and try to develop the best possible approach to deal with the problem.

People's judgment of mental patients usually stems due to a lack of understanding on the subject. Helping the patient to accept their condition, finding out the best ways to treat the problem, getting support from others, as well as educating others about the same can go a long way in reducing the stigma faced by patients of mental illness.

Kaye Dennan is the author of an ebook 'Carer Coping Strategies.' Kaye has been a carer for 10 years and has been a Carers' Support group facilitator for 3 years. To read more about mental health carer's coping strategies or for more insight into mental health carer problems visit http://schizophrenia-carers.com/

View the original article here ezine.com

Gender-based violence associated with lifetime risk of mental illness and disability, research shows

ScienceDaily (Aug. 2, 2011) — Women who experience gender-based violence such as rape, sexual assault, intimate partner violence and stalking have a higher lifetime prevalence of mental health disorders, dysfunction and disability, new Australian research shows.

The survey of 4,451 women aged 16 to 85 used international instruments developed by the World Health Organisation. Around 15 percent of Australian women report sexual assault, while eight percent report being raped. About eight percent report physical intimate partner violence and 10 percent stalking.

Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics' National Mental Health and Wellbeing Survey (2007) were analysed by researchers at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and published August 2 in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The study is the most comprehensive ever undertaken of gender-based violence in a nationally representative sample of women.

It shows the four most common types of gender-based violence are strongly associated with a wide range of problems for women including more severe current mental disorder, higher rates of three or more lifetime mental disorders, physical disability, mental disability, impaired quality of life, and overall disability.

"It was the strength of these associations that was most shocking," said study leader, Dr Susan Rees, from UNSW's School of Psychiatry. "There is an overwhelming link between gender violence and key indicators of women's mental health, wellbeing and risk of suicide attempts."

"For women exposed to two types of gender-based violence the lifetime rate of mental disorder was 69 percent and for three or more types of gender-based violence, it was 89.4 percent. This compares with a rate of 28 percent for women who have not experienced violence. The link with gender-based violence was particularly strong for posttraumatic stress disorder."

"This research highlights the need to ensure that expert mental health care is a central component of gender-based violence programs. Similarly, psychiatric services need to be better equipped to assist women with mental health disorders who have experienced such violence," Dr Rees said.

The work was supported by a grant from the National Health and Medical Research Council.

Story Source:

The above story is reprinted (with editorial adaptations by ScienceDaily staff) from materials provided by University of New South Wales, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.

Journal Reference:

S. Rees, D. Silove, T. Chey, L. Ivancic, Z. Steel, M. Creamer, M. Teesson, R. Bryant, A. C. McFarlane, K. L. Mills, T. Slade, N. Carragher, M. O'Donnell, D. Forbes. Lifetime Prevalence of Gender-Based Violence in Women and the Relationship With Mental Disorders and Psychosocial Function. JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association, 2011; 306 (5): 513 DOI: 10.1001/jama.2011.1098

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

View the original article here sciencedaily.com

Gender-based violence associated with lifetime risk of mental illness and disability, research shows

ScienceDaily (Aug. 2, 2011) — Women who experience gender-based violence such as rape, sexual assault, intimate partner violence and stalking have a higher lifetime prevalence of mental health disorders, dysfunction and disability, new Australian research shows.

The survey of 4,451 women aged 16 to 85 used international instruments developed by the World Health Organisation. Around 15 percent of Australian women report sexual assault, while eight percent report being raped. About eight percent report physical intimate partner violence and 10 percent stalking.

Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics' National Mental Health and Wellbeing Survey (2007) were analysed by researchers at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and published August 2 in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The study is the most comprehensive ever undertaken of gender-based violence in a nationally representative sample of women.

It shows the four most common types of gender-based violence are strongly associated with a wide range of problems for women including more severe current mental disorder, higher rates of three or more lifetime mental disorders, physical disability, mental disability, impaired quality of life, and overall disability.

"It was the strength of these associations that was most shocking," said study leader, Dr Susan Rees, from UNSW's School of Psychiatry. "There is an overwhelming link between gender violence and key indicators of women's mental health, wellbeing and risk of suicide attempts."

"For women exposed to two types of gender-based violence the lifetime rate of mental disorder was 69 percent and for three or more types of gender-based violence, it was 89.4 percent. This compares with a rate of 28 percent for women who have not experienced violence. The link with gender-based violence was particularly strong for posttraumatic stress disorder."

"This research highlights the need to ensure that expert mental health care is a central component of gender-based violence programs. Similarly, psychiatric services need to be better equipped to assist women with mental health disorders who have experienced such violence," Dr Rees said.

The work was supported by a grant from the National Health and Medical Research Council.

Story Source:

The above story is reprinted (with editorial adaptations by ScienceDaily staff) from materials provided by University of New South Wales, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.

Journal Reference:

S. Rees, D. Silove, T. Chey, L. Ivancic, Z. Steel, M. Creamer, M. Teesson, R. Bryant, A. C. McFarlane, K. L. Mills, T. Slade, N. Carragher, M. O'Donnell, D. Forbes. Lifetime Prevalence of Gender-Based Violence in Women and the Relationship With Mental Disorders and Psychosocial Function. JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association, 2011; 306 (5): 513 DOI: 10.1001/jama.2011.1098

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

View the original article here sciencedaily.com

What mom thinks matters when it comes to mental illness, study finds

ScienceDaily (June 7, 2011) — A new study led by a Northern Illinois University sociologist shows that while family members often provide critical support, they also can sometimes be the source of stigmatizing attitudes that impede the recovery of mentally ill relatives.

"Negative attitudes of family members have the potential to affect the ways that mentally ill persons view themselves, adversely influencing the likelihood of recovery from the illness," said lead researcher Fred Markowitz, an NIU professor of sociology.

Markowitz and his colleagues, Beth Angell from Rutgers, and Jan Greenberg from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, published their findings in the June issue of Social Psychology Quarterly, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Sociological Association.

Over an 18-month period, the researchers studied 129 mothers of adult children with schizophrenia.

"In short, what mom thinks matters," Markowitz said. "It's a chain of effects that unfolds.

"We found that when those with mental illness exhibited greater levels of initial symptoms, lower self-confidence and quality of life, their mothers tended to view them in more stigmatized terms -- for example, seeing them as 'incompetent,' 'unpredictable,' and 'unreliable,'" Markowitz continued. "When mothers held these views, their sons and daughters with mental illness were more likely to come to see themselves in similar terms -- what social psychologists call 'the reflected appraisals process.' Importantly, when the individuals with mental illness took on these stigmatizing views of themselves, their symptoms became somewhat greater and levels of self-confidence and quality of life lower."

A long line of research has shown that the stigma associated with mental illness can be a major impediment to recovery, affecting self-esteem and even job prospects. But research has not historically examined the links between stigma, reflected appraisals, identity formation, and recovery, Markowitz said.

"Our study is part of research that is starting to more fully examine how stigma affects the self-concept and identity of those with mental illness," he said.

Markowitz and his colleagues believe it is important to acknowledge that many of the sentiments conveyed toward ill relatives grow out of positive intentions and reflect attempts to cope with the difficulties of having a relative with serious mental illness. Yet, stigmatizing attitudes are of concern because of their potential adverse effects.

"This study highlights the notion that recovery from mental illness is not simply a matter of controlling symptoms as indicated by a strictly 'psychiatric' perspective," Markowitz said. "It is, to a certain extent, a social-psychological process.

"The ways in which people, including family members and service providers, think about persons with mental illness affect the beliefs and actions of the individuals with mental illness, in turn shaping the trajectory of recovery."

Story Source:

The above story is reprinted (with editorial adaptations by ScienceDaily staff) from materials provided by American Sociological Association, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.

Journal Reference:

Fred E. Markowitz, Beth Angell, and Jan S. Greenberg. Stigma, Reflected Appraisals, and Recovery Outcomes in Mental Illness. Social Psychology Quarterly, June 2011; [link]

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

View the original article here

Ways to help teens overcome fears and stigmas of mental illness

ScienceDaily (June 6, 2011) — When teens start experiencing changes in moods or emotions, they tend to fear sharing their blue days with their families and adults who can help them. As a consequence, they often suffer in silence.

Case Western Reserve University KL2 Clinical Research Scholar and Instructor Melissa Pinto-Foltz from the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing wants to find the magical elixir that helps teens speak up, seek help and then stick with treatments that get them feeling better.

"About one in five Americans has a mental illness, with half of these individuals first experiencing symptoms of mental illness in their teen years," she said.

Pinto-Foltz's research contributes to efforts nationwide to combat a public health issue, stigma and mental health literacy, made a priority in a U. S. Surgeon General's Report and the President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health.

She found that a good way to reach teens to help them learn about mental illness and improve negative attitudes about mental illness was through their school.

She studied 156 girls in the 9th and 10th grade in a research project set in public high schools in Louisville, Ky. About half the group participated in a special national program called In Our Own Voice, offered by the National Alliance for Mental Illness, and the other half did not see the program.

More than 200,000 people across the U.S. have seen the In Our Own Voice program, which is frequently given in schools, churches and other community settings. The one-hour program involves learning through storytelling and changing attitudes through interacting with people who are in sustained recovery from mental illness. These individuals tell their personal stories of what it was like to first discover the illness and get through their recovery from the illness.

While the program is widely used across the U.S., no evidence exists that it is effective with teens, nor has the impact of the program been examined for an extended time period.

Pinto-Foltz used the In Our Own Voice program with the teens and reported her findings from the study, "Feasibility, Acceptability, and Initial Efficacy of a Knowledge-Contact Program to Reduce Mental Illness Stigma and Improve Mental Health Literacy in Adolescents," in Social Science and Medicine.

"We tell stories every day to friends, family and co-workers," she said. "The whole idea behind this approach is that people learn about the world through stories, and interacting with people with mental illness may violate previously held stereotypes. We wanted to see if teens responded to these interactions with and stories told by people with mental illness in such a way that it decreased stigma associated with mental illness and improved their knowledge of mental illness."

She followed participants four times over 10 weeks: first to study what stigmas and knowledge they had about mental illness, then in response to the In Our Own Voice program. She conducted follow-up interviews shortly after girls saw the program and again at weeks 4 and 8 to see if there were changes in the their level of stigma associated with mental illness and whether their knowledge of mental illness increased.

Pinto-Foltz's 10-week study found that the girls liked and learned from the In Our Own Voice storytelling program, but the program was too short to change some of the girls' stigmas that they would be more accepting of individuals with mental illness.

"This was our first assessment of In Our Own Voice as it's currently given, and it's a starting point to tackle stigma and improve mental health literacy among adolescents using existing approaches," she said.

In the future, she added that we can increase our chance of combating stigma and increasing mental health knowledge by providing more opportunities for adolescents to interact with the presenters following the program.

She suggested continued interaction with the presenters through projects with the girls or visits to their health classes for further discussions about mental illness.

"The girls were eager for more interaction with the presenters," Pinto-Foltz explained. "They kept asking me when the presenters would return to tell more stories. After the program, the girls had many lingering questions about mental illness. Increasing their interaction with the presenters would allow an opportunity to clarify their questions about mental illness, increase their comfort in interacting with individuals with mental illness, and decrease stigma."

Meanwhile in the follow-up with the girls at four and eight weeks, Pinto-Foltz found that girls who participated in In Our Own Voice had improved mental health knowledge when compared to the girls who did not receive the program.

Stigma levels for both groups remained the same, calling for further examination of approaches to tackle this important and pervasive problem, Pinto-Foltz said.

This research was support by the Midwest Nursing Research Society and the Iota Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau.

Story Source:

The above story is reprinted (with editorial adaptations by ScienceDaily staff) from materials provided by Case Western Reserve University.

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

View the original article here