The National Institute for Mental Health defines mental illnesses as developmental brain disorders with genetic and environmental factors leading to altered circuits and altered behavior. More simply these disorders can include autism, eating disorders, depression, anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder, and attention deficit disorder (ADD).
What does mental health have to do with substance abuse prevention?
Even though the onset of mental illnesses can begin in childhood, it is often not diagnosed until an individual is much older, thus preventing early treatment. As a result, people with mental illnesses may self-medicate with drugs or alcohol to find relief from the symptoms. Thus, it’s very common for people with substance use conditions to often have a mental health condition at the same time. This is called a, “co-occurring disorder.” Missouri is no exception.
37% of alcohol abusers and 53% of drug abusers also have at least one serious mental illness 1
Of all people diagnosed with mental illness, 29% currently abuse either alcohol or drugs and 60% will abuse either alcohol or other drugs some time during their lifetime 1
31% of all Missourians who entered ADA substance abuse treatment programs in FY2010 had a co-occurring disorders 2
How can YOU make a difference?
Mental Health First Aid
Introduced in the U.S. in 2008, Mental Health First Aid teaches people how to help someone with the signs and symptoms of mental illness or in a mental health crisis. The training also addresses the risk factors and warning signs of specific illnesses like anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, eating disorders and substance use disorders.
Prevention professionals can benefit from learning these skills and from building relationships with treatment facilities in their areas. Just like recovering from addiction, people with mental illnesses can learn to manage the disorder through the proper treatment.
Trainings:
Mental Health First Aid
October 25-26, 2011
Jefferson City, Missouri More information. . .
Mental Health First Aid
January 27-28, 2012
Jefferson City, Missouri More information. . .
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