Stigma Free Mercer News May/June 2019 Volume 2, Issue 2

“I am not ashamed to say I am mentally ill, but that doesn’t mean I’m mentally weak.” ~ Robin Lehner

One Woman’s Successful Navigation of the Stigma Landscape

I had a relatively normal childhood, mood stabilizer and an antipsy- Another stigma I face is when I and in high school I was a straight-A chotic. I was hospitalized for two meet people. I never know when student. I attended Northwestern weeks and recovered for months at or if to disclose that I have a mental University and continued there for home. I tried to go back to residency illness. It’s such a big part of my life medical school, where I developed a three times that year but failed due that I feel a close friend or signifi- love for psychiatry. I began my psy- to , , and psychosis. cant other should know about it, chiatry residency training in a hospi- Later that year, I also tried to work a but I fear stigma I may face. I have tal in Southern Illinois with a goal to part-time, minimum-wage job, but I noticed some think depression is train at Harvard in a child and ado- had to quit due to extreme anxiety “being too sad” without under- lescent psychiatry fellowship. with panic attacks. standing its physical symptoms like During my first week of residency, In the years I was most ill I experi- changes in appetite, sleeping, in- I was extremely stressed. I was used enced the most stigma. My dad did creased guilt, or decreased concen- to managing two patients, but I was not visit me during my first hospital- tration, or that is suddenly expected to manage seven ization because he could not believe “being moody” without under- during the weekdays and up to 20 his daughter could have a mental standing that it occurs in discrete on the weekends. The stress caused illness. Since then, my relationship episodes with lack of sleep, disor- so much anxiety that I began having with my dad has been strained. dered thoughts, rapid speech, and panic attacks and I stopped sleeping. When I’m with him I know I’m not increased risky behaviors. I cried in my car every day with my allowed to talk about my health for I deal with stigma surrounding heart pounding. I quickly slipped fear that he will become angry or be my mental illness by filling my life from this anxiety into my very first in denial. My dad believed my psy- with positive people and ignoring manic episode. I experienced chiatric medications werecausing the negatives. I have great support strange symptoms. Sometimes I felt my illness. As a physician, he should from my mom, my sister, and my like I had increased intelligence; oth- know psychiatric medicines treat boyfriend. A lot of my friends are in er times my thoughts were disor- mental illness and do not cause it. the medical field, and they under- dered. I had a flurry of thoughts I Other than the stigma from my stand mental illness enough to sup- couldn’t control and symptoms of dad, I experienced stigma from my port me. I also try to alleviate stig- psychosis that included delusions. husband. I knew him for eight years ma by telling my story to open the One month later, I was very manic before we married, and we were conversation about and psychotic. The town we lived in married for two years before I re- in an accepting, kind environment. was so small that my husband had to ceived my diagnosis. I was so sick hospitalize me in the psychiatry the first year of my diagnosis that ward where I was doing my residen- my husband did not want to deal cy. In my psychotic state, I could not with it, so he divorced me. rationalize whether I was a medical Speaking out against stigma can help student, a doctor in training, or a instill courage in others facing mental patient. I was diagnosed with a bipo- health challenges and educate the lar manic episode and placed on a public about mental illness.

Please go to www.mercercounty.org/stigmafreemercer to sign the Stigma Free Pledge. For more information about the Stigma Free Campaign, its upcoming events, and how you may participate, please contact Michele Madiou, Mercer County Mental Health Administrator, at [email protected] or 609 989-6529. Volume 2, Issue 2 Page 2 National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day

In honor of National Children’s ethnic/racial backgrounds, and County Family Support Organiza- Mental Health Awareness Day, living in all regions of the United tion’s Youth Partnership created the Mercer County Division of States experience mental disor- beautiful posters for the art gal- Mental Health and Capitol County ders. It is estimated that 13% to lery. During the event, attendees Children’s Collaborative (CCCC) 20% of children living in the United had an opportunity to see these joined together on May 7 to raise States experience a mental disor- inspiring posters and paintings that awareness about the stigma sur- der in a given year. spoke of breaking the stigma of rounding mental illness that may Capitol County Children’s Col- mental health, preventing child/ increase risk of self harm or suicide laborative’s Educational Liaison, youth suicide, and promoting a in children and teens. In conjunc- Danielle Eveland, produced an im- stigma-free world. tion with the County’s Stigma Free pressive and meaningful program In addition to the artwork, Mercer campaign, the partners for Children’s Mental Health Day. attendees were invited to take the sought to reinforce the message An art exhibit and interactive op- Stigma Free Mercer pledge and that youth can “speak their truth” portunities drew attention to the watch a moving video about the without fear of criticism. youth voice. Care management importance of breaking the stigma According to the Centers for teams from Capitol County Chil- of mental health. Each attendee Disease Control and Prevention dren’s Collaborative and youth also received information on “6 (CDC), boys and girls of all ages, from the community and Mercer Ways to Fight Mental Health Stig- Volume 2, Issue 2 Page 3 National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day ma” and were encouraged to start and are causing problems at portance of caring for every child’s a conversation and help stop stig- school, at home, or with mental health and reinforces that ma in the community. friends. positive mental health is essential to #Speakyourtruth is a social  A thorough evaluation can every child’s healthy development. campaign seeking to battle stigma help determine if treatment The Substance Abuse and Mental and misinformation that can pre- is necessary and which treat- Health Services Administration vent youth and families from seek- ments may be most effective. (SAMHSA) created this observance to ing the mental health care they  Early treatment can help ad- increase public awareness about the need. To help bring about aware- dress a child’s difficulties and needs of children with serious men- ness and highlight suicide preven- also can help prevent more tal illness and severe emotional dis- tion the art gallery was set up at serious problems. turbances and their families, to pro- Capitol County Children’s Collabo- Observed since 2005, National vide information on evidence-based rative to encourage everyone to Children’s Mental Health Aware- practices, and to encourage those talk about their mental health ness Day focuses on the im- who need help to seek treatment. without fear of criticism and show- ing what the world would look like without stigma and discrimination. When youth receive support and understanding they are more likely to seek help when needed. You are invited you to use the hashtag #speakyourtruth on social media accounts and join in the fight to bring about a stigma-free world. Half of all mental disorders show first signs before a person turns 14 years old, and three- quarters of mental health disorders begin before age 24, according to MentalHealth.gov. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) offers these points if you think a child needs help:  Always seek immediate help if a child engages in unsafe be- havior or talks about wanting to hurt himself or herself or someone else.  Seek help when a child’s be- havior or emotional difficulties last for more than a few weeks

Photos on pages 2 and 3 are some of the artwork done by local youth as part of the #speakyourtruth campaign to help battle stigma and misinformation that can prevent children and families from seeking mental health care they need. Volume 2, Issue 2 Page 4 Mental Health Stigma and the Workplace

On June 10, the Mercer County productivity. Additionally, short- when discussing mental health; Division of Mental Health, NAMI term disability claims for mental challenging misconceptions; fo- Mercer, and Disability Alliance at health conditions are growing cusing on the person as a whole, Princeton Employee Resource 10% annually, while other absen- not on his or her diagnosis; and Group hosted a lunch and learn teeism and presenteeism (going offering support if you think program, Breaking Down Mental to work despite illness, injury, someone is having trouble. Health Stigma in the Workplace. anxiety, etc., often resulting in NAMI Mercer volunteer Mindy reduced productivity) impact em- Hoffman discussed her mental ployees, organizations, and the health journey while Mercer economy. Organizations that ad- County Mental Health Adminis- dress mental health in relation to trator Michele Madiou and overall health and stigma rein- NAMI Mercer Executive Director force that mental health and over- Janet Haag answered questions all health are important on per- about mental health and stigma. sonal and business levels. In the United States, almost Ways to help remove stigma in one in five adults lives with men- the workplace, and in general, tal illness. According to the Na- include using respectful language tional Alliance of Mental Illness NAMI Mercer volunteer Mindy Hoffman (NAMI), unmanaged mental seeks to help alleviate the stigma health conditions cost the U.S. surrounding mental health and open the economy $200 billion in lost conversation on these issues more freely earnings each year through de- because mental health issues are so creased work performance and common, and to show we are not alone. Help is Available Mental health conditions are not group counseling. Day treatment those they serve to promote hope, only common, but treatable. The programs provide a more intensive dignity, and success. For more in- County of Mercer, through the and structured level of care for formation, call the Mercer County Department of Human Services those who need it. The Transition Division of Mental Health at 609- and its Division of Mental Health, to Treatment program provides 989-6529. funds and supports local mental immediate access to therapy and If you or someone you know is health agencies to provide help assistance in linkage to other ser- experiencing a mental health for Mercer County residents fac- vices in Mercer County. emergency, contact the Emergen- ing mental health challenges. The publicly funded mental cy Mental Health Services unit of Outpatient programs provide health service providers in Mercer Capital Health Regional Medical opportunities for assessment and County offer quality care with Center at 609-396-4357 (HELP). individual, family, marital, and compassion and respect for all Help is available 24 hours a day. One Person Can Change the Way the World Sees Mental Health

The Stigma Free Mercer campaign is sponsored by the County of Mercer in partnership with NAMI Mercer. Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes The Mercer County Board of Chosen Freeholders