Help with Mental Family Illness

MENTAL ILLNESS IN THE FAMILY

According to the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, one in five families in the U.S. has a member who suffers from a serious mental illness. Mental illness can result in much heartache and suffering, not only on the part of those afflicted but their loved ones, too. (Dawn & Jay Fox, “Easing the Burdens of Mental Illness,” Ensign, Oct. 2001, 32)

When to get help:

You, as a family member (or roommate or mission companion) may need to be the first responder when someone is having a mental/emotional crisis. He or she may or may not be in a state of mind to get help for themselves. Here are some signs and symptoms to watch for:

Confused thinking

Prolonged depression (sadness or irritability)

Feelings of extreme highs and lows

Excessive fears, worries and anxieties

Social withdrawal

Dramatic changes in eating or sleeping habits

Strong feelings of anger

Delusions or hallucinations

Suicidal thoughts

Denial of obvious problems

Numerous unexplained physical ailments

Substance abuse

(from the Mental Health America Factsheet: Mental Illness and the Family: Recognizing Warning Signs and How to Cope, 2009)

How to get help: (this is hard!)

1. Talk to other family members/friends to see if they’ve noticed a change in the afflicted family member/friend.
2. Pray for guidance. Counsel with your bishop or religious leader.
3. It may be best to approach them with your bishop or religious leader, a close friend, or a close family member. Be sensitive. Express your love and concern for them. Respect their feelings and validate their pain and suffering. Help them to realize there is hope and help available.
4. Accept the fact that in a severe crisis, you may need to call the police.

IF YOU HAVE A FAMILY MEMBER OR FRIEND IN A CRISIS

If you have a family member or friend who is suicidal, do not leave him or her alone. Try to get the person to seek help immediately from an emergency room, physician, or mental health professional. Take seriously any comments about suicide or wishing to die. Even if you do not believe your family member or friend will actually attempt suicide, the person is clearly in distress and can benefit from your help in receiving mental health treatment.

*Call your doctor’s office

*Call 911

*Go to the nearest hospital emergency room

*Call 1-800-273-TALK to reach a 24 hour crisis center

(from the National Institute of Mental Health, www.nimh.nih.gov)

Where to get help:

Family Doctor

Mental Health specialists, such as psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers)

Religious leaders

Health Maintenance Organizations

Community mental health centers

Hospital psychiatry departments and outpatient clinics

University- or medical school- affiliated programs

State hospital outpatient clinics

Social service agencies

Private clinics and facilities

Employee assistance programs

Local medical and/or psychiatric societies

(from the National Institute of Mental Health, www.nimh.nih.gov)

BYU Career and Counseling Center

1500 WSC

(801) 422-3035

Walk-in or call for an initial intake session

One-on-one or group counseling for problems ranging from difficulties which are normal to young adult development (e.g., adjustment to the university setting) to more serious problems that are associated with acute or long-standing psychological disturbances. Counseling services are oriented toward short-term interventions designed to help students develop self-reliance and to succeed in their role as students.

Free to full-time students

LDS Family Services

Individual, Marriage, and Family Counseling
UT Provo Agency
1190 North 900 East
Provo, UT 84604-3598
PH: 801-422-7620
FAX: 801-422-0165

Wasatch Mental Health

Mental Health Counseling and Crisis Intervention

750 North Freedom Blvd.

Provo, UT 84601

801 373-4760

24-hour Crisis line 1-800-373-7393

www.wasatch.org

Support groups:

General Information Agency: National Alliance Of The Mentally Ill (NAMI), Utah County Program name: Education, support and advocacy for consumers with mental illnesses and their family members Description : Classes for individuals with mental illnesses, their family and medical providers Support groups for individuals with mental illnesses, family and friends on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month at the Utah State Hospital in main conference room Hours of Operation: 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month Eligibility Requirements: none Intake Procedure: Call (801) 225-3855 Insurance Information: none Languages Spoken: English Fees: Not specified Primary Contact: Nedra Bell, President, (801) 373-2688 View all agency contacts Address: P.O. Box 271 Provo, UT 84603 us

(Information found through United Way)

Websites: (from www.lds.org)

General Mental Health Issues

Mental Health Resource Foundation - The Foundation is a volunteer organization committed to carrying a message of hope to those who may be suffering from mental illness and social/emotional concerns and those who love them. www.mentalhealthlibrary. info

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) - NIMH is the world's largest scientific organization dedicated to research focused on the understanding, treatment, and prevention of mental disorders and the promotion of mental health. www.nimh.nih.gov

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) - NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to improving the lives of persons living with serious mental illness and their families. www.nami.org

Mental Health Channel - This site contains information about mental illness and disorders, treatment, and resources. www.mentalhealthchannel.net

Articles:

Go to www.lds.org, follow the links to Home and Family, then Marriage, Family, & Individual Counseling, then Counseling and Resources, then Find Help for your Challenges and Issues, then Mental Health. The beginning statement here says, “Mental health is closely interwoven with physical, emotional, and even spiritual health. (sound familiar?) Therefore it becomes all the more important to make choices that enhance and strengthen one’s own mental well-being. The surest way to do this is to live and active life consistent with gospel principles. There are those within our communities who struggle with mental disorders and mental illness. Those with such challenges often benefit from seeking counsel and help from spiritual advisors and licensed mental health professionals.” Thirteen articles are listed, including “Do Not Despair” by President Ezra Taft Benson, and “Mental Illness, in Search of Understanding and Hope”, by Jan Underwood Pinborough.