Mental illness

Definition: A disorder that can cause psychological and behavioral disturbances with varying severities.

Mental health is the overall wellness of how you think, regulate your feelings and behave. A mental illness, or mental health disorder, is defined as patterns or changes in thinking, feeling or behaving that cause distress or disrupt a person's ability to function.

Causes : Causes include long term substance abuse, prenatal damage to brain, injury to brain, exposure to toxins, infection, etc.

Mental health disorders in children are generally defined as delays or disruptions in developing age-appropriate thinking, behaviors, social skills or regulation of emotions. These problems are distressing to children and disrupt their ability to function well at home, in school or in other social situations.

Warning signs in today’s youth:

·       Persistent sadness that lasts two weeks or more

·       Withdrawing from or avoiding social interactions

·       Hurting oneself or talking about hurting oneself

·       Talking about death or suicide

·       Outbursts or extreme irritability

·       Out-of-control behavior that can be harmful

·       Drastic changes in mood, behavior or personality

·       Changes in eating habits

·       Loss of weight

·       Difficulty sleeping

·       Frequent headaches or stomachaches

·       Difficulty concentrating

·       Changes in academic performance

·       Avoiding or missing school

Treatment : Treatments include combinations of medication, psychotherapy, peer support and sometimes, hospitalization in severe cases. ***please note that pastoral counseling and other spiritual practices such as meditation and bible study has been proven to reduce, if not eliminate, symptoms.

How To Help Youth (Parents/Adults):

·       Learn about the illness.

·       Consider family counseling that treats all members as partners in the treatment plan.

·       Ask your child's mental health professional for advice on how to respond to your child and handle difficult behavior.

·       Enroll in parent training programs, particularly those designed for parents of children with a mental illness.

·       Explore stress management techniques to help you respond calmly.

·       Seek ways to relax and have fun with your child.

·       Praise your child's strengths and abilities.

·       Work with your child's school to secure necessary support.

How Youth can help Youth:

1.     Learn All You Can

2.     Support Treatment

3.     Set Your Own Boundaries

4.     Don’t Place Blame

5.     Promote them gaining Control

6.     Adjust Your Expectations

Presented by: Bethel Church Of God In Christ 

Rukiya Brown-Williams, LPC, LAC

PHD Candidate-Counseling Psychology

Phn#:  318-450-1920

Email: lakiskab1@hotmail.com