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IMMS Messenger June 2017 Volume XII Issue XXXVIII Indian Mound Middle School McFarland, WI Mental illness is no joke By Audrey McMillan stop it. If everyone does their part it will create a snowball IMMS 8th Grade effect until these jokes are a You've probably heard peo- thing of the past. ple talking about mental health Another strategy is being before. You probably even have aware that the media does not a basic understanding of what it always present mental illness in is. In a recent Mental Illness a correct way. This can paint a survey at IMMS students re- very negative picture about sponded that they believed they mental illness. had an understanding of many One student surveyed said, mental illnesses. Some disorders “I have seen many movies had more knowledge around where they take a certain mental them than others: 93% of those illness and amplify it or make it surveyed claimed they knew seem a lot more dramatic than it what depression was, while only actually is.” 18% said they understood what If all you know about mental a dissociative disorder was. But illness is from television and many people aren't aware of what you overhear, make an mental illnesses and what they effort to learn more. are. Mental illnesses are incredi- TO GET HELP A third idea is to cultivate bly common: 1 in 5 adults expe- If you think one of your friends may be struggling with mental illness; talk to them about it. compassion. To counteract a rience some form of mental ill- The best thing you can do is show them that you care and that you are there for them. If you lack of compassion toward those ness while 1 in 25 adults suffer are worried that they might try to hurt themselves, you must ask an adult for help. Your friend with mental illness, learn to un- from a serious mental illness. might not be happy with you, but it will help them in the long run. If you are concerned with your derstand these ailments are just Chances are you know someone mental health, it is important to ask for help. Talking to a parent or trusted adult is a good way as serious as physical ones. with a mental illness. to start. You also can bring it up to your doctor. Mental illnesses are treatable. You can receive Mental illnesses are real even if As common as mental ill- help as soon as you are willing it ask for it. Different treatment options include various forms of we can't see them. If people nesses are many people don't therapy and medication. came to school looking like how know a lot about them. Your If you would like to learn more about mental illnesses; the National Alliance For Mental Ill- they felt, some people would mental health is incredibly im- ness, or NAMI, is a reliable source with lots of information on different illnesses. have black eyes and broken portant and just as valid as your Check out signs that distinguish normal vs. concerning behaviors on page 3. legs. If we hold doors for people health in any other part of your in crutches, why can't we show body. Mental health is just what the same empathy to those with it sounds like, how healthy your a mental illness? ness, can cause people to avoid light of in social media and joke, you are showing that you mind is. Brain chemicals out of One person surveyed said, those suffering and make them films. would rather get a pat on the balance can cause an illness. “Mental illness is a chemical feel alone and afraid to ask for The positive of not avoiding back for your laugh than protect Stress, trauma, or loss of a loved imbalance in the brain, just like help. As part of ARRE time this students with mental illness someone’s feelings. one are examples of things that diabetes is a chemical imbalance year, students agreed that people does not translate into avoiding You also might recall Ms. could trigger an imbalance and in the blood. We wouldn't tell a in this school can be hurting and hurting them. It would seem Stokes making a video about the lead to a mental illness. When diabetic suffering from insulin identified ways to help them feel many kids at IMMS don't truly “kill yourself” jokes that are you have a mental illness, it's deficiency to cheer up and snap accepted. Finding ways to elimi- grasp their insensitivity, or hurt floating around school. Telling like you're sick all the time ex- out of it.” nate the stigma associated with they can cause, since there are someone to kill themselves is cept the crummy feeling is in This comment perfectly lays mental illness is one of these many jokes being made. It isn't not a joke. Some people with or your head. Except when you out how we can change our out- ways. uncommon to hear “trigger” without mental illnesses feel so have a mental illness there isn't look toward those suffering In the survey on mental ill- jokes at our school. These jokes bad about themselves or the an antibiotic or a vaccine, and from a mental illness. It is im- nesses, respondents indicated label people triggered for being world that they might think your you can't avoid it by washing portant for people to know that they did not want to avoid peo- upset by something or being “joke” is a real “solution.” Eve- your hands. However there are mental illness isn't an “attitude” ple with mental illnesses. That unhappy with a situation. ry 16 seconds someone in the treatment options, and it is im- or a “mindset.” Mental health was true even when they did not Ms. Stokes, IMMS health U.S. dies by suicide; it is not a portant to seek help if you need needs to be recognized. know much about them. Alt- and physical education teacher, joke. How do you know that you it. Ms. Brunett, the IMMS hough some illnesses were seen is very passionate about how are not “joking” around some- Because many people don't school psychologist, talked with a more negative view than these jokes effect students with one who is ready to end every- understand what mental illness- about how your mental health is others. People admitted to not a mental illness. “Triggered isn't thing that is good in their lives es are, there is a lot of stigma just as relevant as your physical wanting to be friends with peo- an emotion, it is a term used in or a person who has lost some- around them. Stigma associates health. “Mental health is a part ple who have OCD, bipolar dis- mental health to describe some- one by suicide? a condition or label with a feel- of who your are, and everyone order, schizophrenia, and per- thing that sets off someone with So, what can you do? When ing that you want to avoid needs to learn skills on how to sonality disorder. These are all a mental illness,” she said. you see someone making an someone with it. Stereotyping a be emotionally and physically disorders that are often made When you make a trigger offensive joke, say something to condition, such as mental ill- healthy,” she said. Photo by Forrest T. Waddell On the right track Members of the IMMS track team get running during an April practice session during 2017 season. Page 2 Volume XII Issue XXXVIII Poetry Name Please… Greed A Day of Color Sea Flower Queen What is a name? I imagine you as Dusty Violet skies The A Social game? Rain A bag of chips. Yeah I think that’s right; The color of Fresh Grape Juice Queen Well, not quite. The bottomless kind. Was What is my name? You’re never halting, and Soft Amethyst A sea That is not a game, Continuing to approach, Flower At the end of the day. Nothing. The Deepest of Aqua seas make way With I’m made not to pray, Deeper and deeper in the bag. Mirror-like I may be remembered. You have no limitations. to Pistachio Ice Cream fields Time I am a member; Pound after pound, For her name Of this society. Metric ton after Metric ton. Lemon Ice houses reflect off Was that Though I get no anxiety, You have no boundaries. Of a ghost And this may frighten thee Truckloads after Truckloads, the Early Morning Sun What darkness But In the end I am free. Vessels after vessels. Had held Label me how I want to be. You blast off to expand, Bathing the street That night Watch me sprout like a tree. Rocket after rocket. Let love melt Start to see-through An accretive load. In Dark Chocolate shadows In a pot The origin, Hebrew Piling up. By Dana Olson Of porcelain smoke Not me. Give Remember I am 3-D All you want is, Dear Baby Girl, Color to the I don't have shame. Your blooming fuchsia cheeks Dead sky What’s my name? More! and sugared plum smile Embrace Well it’s the key, More! light up my day Broken breath To adversity. More! like the early morning sun Of eternity Colors on a Wall By Zachary Gunderson Your soft meadow skin and Desire Just remember, French chocolate eyes From naked In the center of a soft meadows, Who fuels that bag of chips.

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