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Educating Southwest Florida on Mental Wellness since 1957
55 Years of
providing Services July 2012
throughout
SWFL
The Fundamentals of our 55 Years
1. Mental health is a fundamental social justice issue.
Coming Events: 2. There is no health without mental health.
♦ July 14, 2012 3. Concern for the public’s health demands that disparities
Putting Children First in treatment and the disproportionality of the burden of
♦ July 28 2012 illness be eradicated.
Putting Children First 4. We require change that is commensurate to the
♦ August 4, 2012 enormous magnitude of behavioral health problems in
shooting for the stars multiple aspects of our culture, our communities,
Basketball Clinic
our neighborhoods and our families.
♦ August 11, 2012
Putting Children First
5. MHASWFL represents a growing movement of
Americans who promote mental wellness for the health
♦ August 25, 2012
Putting Children First
and well-being of the nation. This movement must
engage and involve the general public as well as persons
with mental and substance use conditions in all its
aspects.
6. We emphasize recovery from mental and substance use
conditions for all.
Support Groups: 7. MHASWFL confirms its commitment to:
• Here for Life a. Raise its voice for people affected by mental and
1st Tuesday every Month substance use conditions that have not had a voice.
7:00 PM b. Diversity and cultural competence in programs,
• Veterans communication, treatment, and relationships.
Wednesday c. The translation of science into practice.
7:00 - 8:30PM d. Ensuring that the public’s trust is confirmed through
• Depression efficient conscientious leadership and stewardship.
Thursday
10:30AM - Noon

2. Page 2 Mental Health Matters

3. July 2012 Page 3

4. Page 4 Mental Health Matters
Gollee’s Tip
Bullying in Schools: Harassment Puts Gay Youth at
Risk
While trying to deal with all the challenges of being a teenager,
gay/ lesbian/ bisexual/ transgender (GBLT) teens additionally have
to deal with harassment, threats, and violence directed at them on a
daily basis. They hear anti-gay slurs such as “homo”, “faggot” and
“sissy” about 26 times a day or once every 14 minutes. Even more
troubling, a study found that thirty-one percent of gay youth had
been threatened or injured at school in the last year alone!Their
mental health and education, not to mention their physical well-
being, are at-risk
How is their mental health being affected?
• Gay and lesbian teens are at high risk because ‘their distress is a
direct result of the hatred and prejudice that surround them,’ not
because of their inherently gay or lesbian identity orientation.
Gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth are two to three times more likely
to attempt suicide than their heterosexual counterparts.
How is their education being affected?
• Gay teens in U.S. schools are often subjected to such intense
bullying that they’re unable to receive an adequate education.
They’re often embarrassed or ashamed of being targeted and may
not report the abuse.
• GLBT students are more apt to skip school due to the fear,
threats, and property vandalism directed at them. One sur-
vey revealed that 22 percent of gay respondents had
skipped school in the past month because they felt unsafe
Help end there.
bullying at • Twenty-eight percent of gay students will drop out of school.
This is more than three times the national average for heterosexual
your students.[
school!!!! GLBT youth feel they have nowhere to turn. According to several
surveys, four out of five gay and lesbian students say they don’t
know one supportive adult at school.

5. July 2012 Page 5
”SHOOTING FOR THE STARS”
Basketball Clinic
2012
A day of fun and learning for Children ages 8-17
Make a memory for a lifetime……….
The Clinic will be lead by Wali Jones (former Philadelphia 76er’s) features human develop-
ment training, emphasizing academics, problem solving, self esteem and teamwork.
The Clinic will be held at The Community School of Naples on Saturday August 4th.
Registration starts at 9 am with the Program beginning at 9:30 am.
Pre-Registration is required
For more information and sponsorship contact:
The Mental Health Association of Southwest Florida
2335 Tamiami Trail N. Ste 404
Naples, FL 34103
(239) 261-5405/ www.mhaswfl.org
This is a Free Clinic provided as a com-
munity service through the Children’s
Mental Wellness Program of The Mental
Health Association of Southwest Florida
“ We Are Making A Difference”

6. Page 6 Mental Health Matters
Common Misconceptions About Mental Illness
Myth: “Young people and children don’t suffer from mental health problems.”
Fact: It is estimated that more than 6 million young people in America may suffer from a mental health
disorder that severely disrupts their ability to function at home, in school, or in their community.
Myth: “People who need psychiatric care should be locked away in institutions.”
Fact: Today, most people can lead productive lives within their communities thanks to a variety of supports,
programs, and/or medications.
Myth: “A person who has had a mental illness can never be normal.”
Fact: People with mental illnesses can recover and resume normal activities. For example, Mike Wallace of
“60 Minutes”, who has clinical depression, has received treatment and today leads an enriched and accom-
plished life.
Myth: “Mentally ill persons are dangerous.”
Fact: The vast majority of people with mental illnesses are not violent. In the cases when violence does occur,
the incidence typically results from the same reasons as with the general public such as feeling threatened or
excessive use of alcohol and/or drugs.
Myth: “People with mental illnesses can work low-level jobs but aren’t suited for
really important or responsible positions.”
Fact: People with mental illnesses, like everyone else, have the potential to work at any level depending on
their own abilities, experience and motivation.

7. July 2012 Page 7
The 5 Major Categories of Mental Illness
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illnesses. The three main types are: phobias, panic disorders,
and obsessive-compulsive disorders. People who suffer from phobias experience extreme fear or dread from a
particular object or situation. Panic disorders involve sudden, intense feelings of terror for no apparent reason
and symptoms similar to a heart attack. People with obsessive-compulsive disorder try to cope with anxiety by
repeating words or phrases or engaging in repetitive, ritualistic behavior such as constant hand washing.
Mood Disorders
Mood disorders include depression and bipolar disorder (or manic depression) symptoms may include mood
swings such as extreme sadness or elation, sleep and eating disturbances, and changes in activity and energy
levels. Suicide may be a risk with these disorders.
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a serious disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and acts. Schizophrenia is believed
to be caused by chemical imbalances in the brain that produce a variety of symptoms including hallucinations,
delusions, withdrawal, incoherent speech and impaired reasoning.
Dementias
This group of disorders includes diseases like Alzheimer’s which leads to loss of mental functions, including
memory loss and a decline in intellectual and physical skills.
Eating Disorders
Anorexia nervosa and bulimia involves serious, potentially life-threatening illnesses. People with these disor-
ders have a preoccupation with food and an irrational fear of being fat. Anorexia is self-starvation while buli-
mia involves cycles of bingeing (consuming large quantities of food) and purging (self-inducing vomiting or
abusing laxatives). Behavior may also include excessive exercise.

8. July 2012 Mental Health Matters Page 8
To Advocate for Mental Wellness through Education,
Prevention, and Support
The Mental Health Association of Southwest Florida identifies unmet needs and
develops culturally sensitive services and programs to improve the lives of those
facing the many challenges of today’s world in our community.
If you are interested in becoming a member, e-mail us at info@mhaswfl.org Or Simply fill out the application and mail a check
payable to MHASWFL or donate online using a credit card. Your contribution is tax-deductible and crucial to helping us continue
our work. If you have any questions about Membership please contact our office by phone at (239) 261-5405
or mail The Mental Association of Southwest Florida 2335 Tamaimi Trail N, Ste 404, Naples FL 34103.