“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7
Q: WHAT IS MENTAL ILLNESS?
A: Mental illness is a medical condition that disrupts a person’s thoughts, emotions, relationships, and daily activities.
Q: WHAT CAUSES MENTAL ILLNESS?
A: Research points to a mix of genetic, biological, psychosocial, and environmental factors as the root of most conditions.
Q: WHO IS QUALIFIED TO DIAGNOSE AND TREAT MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS?
A: Only trained healthcare professionals are able to diagnose and treat mental health conditions.
Q: WHAT ARE SOME WARNING SIGNS/SYMPTOMS OF MENTAL ILLNESS IN YOUNG CHILDREN?
A: The most common signs/symptoms are:
- Excessive worrying or anxiety
- Hyperactivity
- Persistent nightmares
- Persistent disobedience
- Aggressive behavior
- Frequent temper tantrums
Q: WHAT ARE SOME WARNING SIGNS/SYMPTOMS OF MENTAL ILLNESS IN CHILDREN AND YOUTH?
A: The most common signs/symptoms are:
- Frequent outbursts of anger
- Inability to cope with daily problems and activities
- Changes in sleeping and eating habits
- Excessive complaints of physical problems
- Defying authority, skipping school, stealing, or damaging property
- Intense fear of gaining weight
- Long-lasting negative mood, often along with poor appetite and thoughts of death
- Abuse of drugs and alcohol
Q: WHAT ARE SOME WARNING SIGNS/SYMPTOMS OF MENTAL ILLNESS IN COLLEGE-AGE STUDENTS?
A: The most common signs/symptoms are:
- Confused thinking
- Long-lasting sadness or irritability
- Extreme highs and lows in mood
- Excessive fear, worrying, or anxiety
- Social withdrawal
- Dramatic changes in eating or sleeping habits
- Strong feelings of anger
- Delusions or hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there)
- Increasing inability to cope with daily problems and activities
- Thoughts of suicide
- Denial of obvious problems
- Many unexplained physical problems
- Abuse of drugs and alcohol
Q: WHAT SHOULD A TEACHER DO IF A STUDENT EXHIBITS SIGNS OF A MENTAL ILLNESS?
A: Educators are not trained to diagnose mental health illnesses, but they can encourage students and families to seek medical intervention.
Q: WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS?
A: There are many types of mental health professionals. However, not all can prescribe medication. Requirements for mental health professionals may vary from state-to-state:
- Primary Care Physician or Pediatrician, Physician’s Assistant (PA), or Nurse Practitioner (NP) – If you or someone you know have any signs or symptoms of a mental illness, see your primary care physician, pediatrician, PA, or NP. Most mental illnesses don’t improve on their own, and if untreated, a mental illness may get worse over time and cause serious problems.
- Psychiatrist – A psychiatrist can prescribe medication, but they often do not provide counseling.
- Child/Adolescent Psychiatrist – Child and adolescent psychiatrists can prescribe medication; however, they may not provide psychotherapy.
- Psychiatric or Mental Health Nurse Practitioner – A registered nurse practitioner who specializes in diagnosing and treating mental illness.
- Clinical Social Worker – A counselor trained to diagnose and provide individual and group counseling, usually found in the hospital setting.
- Marital and Family Therapist – A counselor trained to diagnose and provide individual and group counseling.
- Licensed Professional Counselor – A counselor trained to diagnose and provide individual and group counseling.
- Mental Health Counselor – A counselor trained to diagnose and provide individual and group counseling.
- Certified Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor – A counselor with specific clinical training in alcohol and drug abuse and qualified to diagnose and provide individual and group counseling.
- Nurse Psychotherapist – A registered nurse, trained to diagnose and provide individual and group counseling.
Q: ARE ADD/ADHD CONSIDERED MENTAL ILLNESSES?
A: Yes, ADD/ADHD are classified as mental illnesses. A mental illness refers to any type of condition that affects a person’s behavior, mood, or thinking, that includes ADD/ADHD.
Q: ARE MENTAL HEALTH ILLNESSES PREVENTABLE?
A: There is no sure way to prevent a mental illness. However, taking specific steps to reduce anxiety and stress and going for regular medical check-ups may help keep symptoms under control.
Q: WHERE CAN A PERSON GO IF THEY HAVE SUICIDAL THOUGHTS?
A: Suicidal thoughts and behavior are common with some mental illnesses. To get help:
- Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.
- Call a suicide hotline number. In the U.S., call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) or use its webchat: suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat
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