The National Alliance on Mental Illness, Block Island arranged for presentations to take place at Block Island School "Inside Mental Illness" for High School Students, and "Parents and Teachers as Allies"open to all members of the community. These slides accompanied an interactive and very useful engagement.
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Presentations from NAMI Rhode Island to Block Island School
1. NAMI RI:
National Alliance on Mental Illness
154 Waterman Street
Suite 5B
Providence, RI 02906
401-331-3060
www.namirhodeisland.org
2. 2
Parents and Teachers as Allies
Recognizing Early-onset Mental Illness in Children and Adolescents
“It may be that nature in its wisdom has singled out these two
primary custodial human networks for the job of identifying
children at risk, knowing that the vigilant eye of parents and
teachers will sound the first alarm when a child fails to thrive”
3. 3
Today’s Situation
• 12 % of children in USA under 18
have a diagnosable mental illness.
(2001, Surgeon General)
• Parents and teachers can be
overwhelmed by child's mental
illness.
• 50% of adult cases of mental
illness had signs and symptoms by
age 14
• Three quarters have begun by age
24
4. Today’s Situation
● Left untreated these disorders can
lead to a more severe, more difficult to
treat illness.
● Serious lack of resources for children
with mental illness.
● Parents and teachers are frontline
allies in the battle against long-term
devastation.
5. Mental illness is a PHYSICAL
illness, just like diabetes!
Reaction to Physical Illnesses: Reaction to Mental Illnesses:
6. It’s Biological!
● Imbalance of brain chemicals
● Genetic
● Triggered by something (trauma) in
the environment
● Usual age of onset of symptoms is
ages 18-25
● The earlier you get a diagnosis and
treatment, the better the outcome
● 2/3 of youth with mental illness do not
receive treatment
● Of the 100,000 teens in detention,
about 60% have behavioral, cognitive,
or emotional problems
8. Major Depression
● Loss of energy, interest, joy
● Excessive worry and guilt
● Hopelessness and worthlessness
● Weight loss/gain
● Insomnia/hypersomnia
● Overly quiet and withdrawn mannerisms
● Decreased concentration
● Intense emotional pain
● Delusions of being dead
● Death related thoughts
● Suicidal Ideation
● Suicide plans or attempts
9. Observations From Home
• Nothing pleases them
• Admit this child is no fun & hard to like
• They have a “totally different kid”
• Displays worst symptoms at home
10. ● Remember: suicide is a permanent
solution to a temporary problem!
● It is not safe to assume that someone
can overcome their suicidal thoughts
without getting help and support!
12. Observations From Home
• Ragged sleep cycles – night terrors
• Violent rages – tantrums
• Severe separation anxiety/refusing
to go to school
• Child acts worse at home than
school
13. Anxiety
● Inability to concentrate
● Muscle tension
● Insomnia/sleep disturbance
● Easily fatigued
● Loss of appetite
● Nervous ticks: nail biting/scratching
● Short/shallow breaths
● Tearfulness
● Irritability
● Heart racing
● Lightheadedness
● Feeling shaky
● Nausea/vomiting
● Sweating
14. Observations From Home
● Repeated absences from school
● “Meltdowns” when parents try to force
activities which generate anxiety
● Parent feels “catch 22”
accommodating anxious behavior
15. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
● Obsessions: unwanted
thoughts/feelings that occur
repetitively
● Intense feelings of
disgust/doubt, things being
done “just right”
● Intrusive, unwanted, and time-
consuming thoughts
● Triggers extreme anxiety
● Examples: contamination,
losing control, getting
diseases, superstitions
16. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
(OCD)
● Compulsions: actions to neutralize,
counteract, or get rid of the
obsessions
● Time-consuming
● Distracting from important activities
● Often times, people would rather not
have their compulsions
● Examples: washing, checking,
repeating, arranging, counting
17. Observations From Home
● Parents report they must cooperate with compulsive rituals to
placate the child and avoid confrontations and tantrums
● Bewildered and angry at the child’s inability to control irrational
behaviors
● Rituals swamp home life but are more subdued in public
18. Schizophrenia
• Positive symptoms: what’s
added to your personality
• Illogical thinking
• Disordered speech
• Delusions
• Superstitions and fixation on
religion
• Suspicion and paranoia
• Auditory, visual, olfactory, or
sensory hallucinations
• Inappropriate emotions
19. Schizophrenia
• Negative symptoms: what’s missing from your personality
• Blunted affect (appearing “flat” or “unemotional”)
• Moodiness
• Depression
• Lack of motivation
• Social withdrawal
• Decline in hygiene
• Peculiar behavior
• Unusual sleeping patterns
20. Observations From Home
• Child reports hearing voices
• Child stares at things not there
• Worries, child shows no interest
in friends
• Child appears “blank” all the time;
little or no emotion
21. 21
A Word About Medication & Youth
It is critical for teachers and other school personnel to report changes in
behavior and side effects that they observe as soon as possible to parents so
that they, along with their child’s doctor, can evaluate if the current
treatment is the best option for the child at that time.
22. What You Can Do
• Implement accommodations in class
setting (some are very simple)
• Listen carefully to what the parents &
children are saying
• Remove feelings of blame
• Acknowledge denial and anger as
‘normal’ responses
• Communicate empathy and
compassion for the parents dilemma
23. How you can help the child cope with some of the
side effects of the medications
• WATER BOTTLE AT DESK (Dry Mouth)
• AUTOMATIC BATHROOM PASS/ OR SIGNAL (Diarrhea/Frequent Urination)
• DESIGNATED SAFE PLACE TO GO TO (Crying Spells and Emotional Meltdowns)
• SCHEDULE CORE ACADEMIC CLASSES LATER IN DAY (Difficulty getting up in
the morning)
• BE SENSITIVE TO WEIGHT FLUCTATION (+ AND -) (criticism from other
children)
24. NAMI Can Assist…
• Provide parents with resources:
• Education is key to understanding
• Offer Parents and Teachers as Allies
booklet.
• Encourage them to contact NAMI for:
• Referrals
• Support groups
• Education classes
• Urge them to seek support for
themselves
