your perspective is your reality
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Your Perspective is Your Reality. Understanding Adolescent and Adult Mental Health Difficulties in the ABE Classroom Wendy Sweeney, MA Licensed Psychologist PANDA-Minnesota ABE Disability Specialists. Workshop Goals. Learn about factors that impact mental health and wellness - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Your Perspective is Your Reality
Understanding Adolescent and Adult Mental Health Difficulties
in the ABE Classroom
Wendy Sweeney, MALicensed Psychologist
PANDA-Minnesota ABE Disability Specialists
Workshop Goals
Learn about factors that impact mental health and wellness
Understand key warning signs and symptoms for early on-set mental illness in adolescents and adults
Gain useful strategies to use in the classroomDetermine when to refer a studentFind out about mental health resources
What is Mental Health?
Realistic Thought ProcessesStress Management SkillsSelf CareAbility to Set Social BoundariesAccess to a Support NetworkHealthy Emotional Control
What are your perceptions based on?
PerceptionThe lens through which we see the world
The process by which an individual receives, selects, organizes and interprets information to create a meaningful picture of the world
People’s perceptions of a situation, subject, or message affects WHAT they see and hear and HOW they respond
Shifting Perceptions
Thoughts can be harmful to us when
they distort reality or are irrational.
Are You Stressed?
The Stressors Many ABE Students Face
Financial difficultiesEmployment
difficultiesTransportation
issuesChild care issuesCultural adjustmentsFew successesLow self worth
Limited or poor formal schooling experiences
Learning challengesMay have a
diagnosed or undiagnosed disability
May not have access to health care or mental health services
The Stigma of Mental Illness
Approximately 1 in 4 Americans aged 18 or older suffer from mental illness at some point in their lives
It is people you care about, people you respect, people like you
The most common mental illness disorders are depression and anxiety
From National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH)
What is Mental Illness?Most people feel down or anxious now and then which is NORMAL. When it becomes a reason for concern is when symptoms:Cause emotional distress over an extended
period of timeSignificantly interfere with a person’s ability
to function on a daily basisDoes not meet social, cultural, or peer
expectations.Are present more days than not
Causes of Mental IllnessInternal Causes External Causes
Chemical imbalanceGeneticsMisinterpretation of
informationIrrational thoughts
and feelings
Life changesTraumatic eventsChildhood
difficultiesCultural
expectations and/or differences
Reactions of others
Common Mental Disorders
Mood DisordersMajor depressive
disorderPostpartum
depressionSeasonal affective
disorder (SAD)Bipolar disorder
Anxiety DisordersGeneralized
anxiety disorderSpecific phobiaPanic disorderPost-traumatic
stress disorder
What is Depression?Can be a Chemical Imbalance and/or
Suppression of Thoughts and Feelings
Physical SymptomsEmotional Symptoms Cognitive Symptoms
Common Signs of DepressionSymptoms are present most of the day, nearly every day for at least 2 weeks:Frequently feeling sad, down or empty Lack of interest in favorite activitiesSlowed down or restlessnessSignificant weight loss or gainLoss of energyFeeling guilty or worthlessLack of sleep or sleeping too muchProblems concentrating or making decisionsRecurrent thoughts of suicide or death
What is Anxiety?
The Fight or Flight Syndrome
Physical symptomsEmotional symptoms Cognitive symptoms
Common Signs of Generalized Anxiety
Excessive Worry and Difficulty Controlling the Worry occurring more days than not
for at least 6 months AND at least 3 of the following symptoms:
Muscle tensionDifficulty concentratingSleep disturbanceIrritabilityEasily fatiguedRestlessness
Anger
Treatment
Therapy
Medication
Combination of both
Brain Scan of Depression and Anxiety
Before treatment for depression and
anxiety
After treatment for depression and
anxiety
What is Mental Health?
Realistic Thought ProcessesStress Management SkillsSelf CareAbility to Set Social BoundariesAccess to a Support NetworkHealthy Emotional Control
Healthy Coping StrategiesDeep breathingExerciseMeditation/YogaSelf careJournalingTake items “off your plate”Say “NO” to obligations when overextendedTalk to someone you trust
Promoting Mental Health and Wellness in the Classroom
Key Warning Signs and Symptomsof Mental Health Difficulties
Student appears stressed/overwhelmedThere is a noticeable change in student
behaviorStudent is often angry/has outbursts in classStudent is often visibly upset/cryingStudent has inconsistent attendance/not
showing up for class/leaving earlyStudent appears emotionally unstableStudent appears withdrawn
Warning Signs and Symptomscontinued…
Student is frequently distractible or has trouble concentrating
Student complains about being tired or obviously fatigued
Student complains about frequent headaches, stomach aches, muscle tension
Student smells of alcohol and/or appears druggedStudent verbalizes feelings of worthless or makes
comments about not wanting to live
SuicideSuicidal comments SHOULD NOT
be taken lightly!If a student makes comments about not
wanting to live TELL SOMEONE
call 911 if you feel they may harm themselves and inform someone else who is close to them
Behavioral StrategiesWhen a student appears angry or has an
outburst, safety is of utmost importance:Remain calmDo not try to argue or reason with the personTell them to count to ten to cool offGive simple direct instructions. For example:
“You need to leave the room now” Put them in a separate roomIf student is able to calm self down, let them
rejoin the classroom; otherwise ask them to come back the next day
Call someone for help, if needed
Behavioral Strategies continued…When a student appears anxious or
stressed:Allow them to take short breaksTell them to try some deep breathing to relax Encourage them to exercise as a way to
relieve tensionOffer warm words of encouragementBreak information down/limit the number of
concepts presented at once to prevent them from feeling overwhelmed
Avoid comparing the student to othersAsk them to identify their fears or write them
down, if they are comfortable
Behavioral Strategies continued…When a student appears sad or withdrawn:Pull them aside to express your concernsAsk them if everything is alrightAsk them if there is anything you can do for
themProvide a special activity that highlights the
student’s strengthsGive the student genuine complimentsEncourage them to talk to someone they trustLet them know you are there for them, if they
want to talk
When To Refer A Student To A Professional
When there is a noticeable CHANGE in student behavior
If symptoms have been interfering with the student’s ability to function in the classroom or are disruptive to the class
If symptoms cause the student emotional distress over an extended period of time
If student’s behavior does not improve or they have difficulty resolving problems after you have attempted behavioral strategies
Mental Health ResourcesCrisis Connection
(612) 379-6363 or toll free 1 (866) 379-6363Free crisis counseling, information and referral services. Seven days a week, 24 hours/day.
United Way First Call For Help1-800-543-7709Free, confidential and available 24/7
County Mental Health Services: In Minnesota, the county is responsible for providing public mental health services on a sliding fee basis. To find your county contact information go to: http://www.dhs.state.mn.us In the right hand column under Quick Links, click MHCP Provider Directory
Suicide Prevention: 612-873-2222; 1-800 784-2433; suicidehotlines.com/Minnesota.html
Minnesota ABE Disabilities Websitemn.abedisabilities.org
Case Studies
New Hope Learning Center8301 – 47th Avenue North
New Hope, MN 55428
Wendy Sweeney, MA, Licensed Psychologist
Disability [email protected]
763-504-4095
Lori Leininger, CBISGrant Coordinator