Archive for the ‘Mental Health’ Category

• How a Mental Health Counselor Can Change Your Life

  Date: 2010.08.16 | Category: Mental Health | Response: 0

  You do not have to suffer mental stress and depression alone. Instead, you should seek professional help and learn how a mental health counselor can change your life. Mental health statistics show that twenty-eight percent of Americans can actually benefit from counseling, although only a third of them will actually look for one.

  A mental health counselor can effectively improve your mental health by working through your past and present issues. Using writing techniques, reading aloud what you wrote, and by talking, you can identify the source of your anxiety and learn how to overcome them effectively. Counseling gives you valuable tools to handle daily problems and long-term relationships. A good counselor can be a real lifesaver.

  Whatever you do for a living, everyone today experiences different levels of stress at work and at home. Some people deal with stressful situations by over eating, or abusing drugs and alcohol. However, counseling sessions can provide way healthier solutions to everyday troubles that cause you to feel depressed and anxious. A benefit of mental health counseling is that you are approaching your problems naturally through therapy, instead of using prescribed medications.

  Sometimes, you need an outsider to listen and provide objective opinions on your issues. A mental health counselor is one such person who is trained to give you such valuable advice. It is their job to help you deal with the problems that are causing an upset in your life. Your counselor can also recommend other medical professionals to address all the physical problems that you may be experiencing. This is important as your physical well being significantly affects your mental health.

  How a mental health counselor can change your life is by giving you the motivation and energy you need to lead your life in a more optimistic manner. No one can really understand how you feel unless you are willing to open up and share thoughts and feelings. Counseling therefore effectively helps reduce the symptoms of anxiety disorders
  such as irrational fear, heart palpitations, and difficulty in concentrating, speaking, and sleeping. Signs of depression include fatigue, hopelessness, constant crying, and loss of interest in normal activities, headaches, and thoughts of suicide.

  Through counseling, one can gain new perspectives on managing issues that occur in our daily lives, as well as pick up social skills to better handle them mentally and emotionally.

  A mental health counselor can help you understand your personal habits and behaviors, and find real contentment by analyzing if what you are doing it is best for you. Mental health counselors strive to stay up to date on the latest developments in mental health care. Their education and practice has exposed them to many theories and procedures on developing good mental health. So, their professional experience will definitely be useful in helping you recover from all your mental problems.

  Suffering from mental disorders can be very stressful and tiring. It takes a strong person to admit his or her problems and actively seek treatment for them. Seeking out a counselor does not mean that you are less capable than others as you are simply getting help when you need some. As such, learning how a mental health counselor can change your life will enable you to better utilize their expertise to solve your problems efficiently.

• Mental Health Conditions Affect All Ages

  Date: 2010.08.06 | Category: Mental Health | Response: 0

  Mental health conditions are common in all nations of the world. According to the National Institute for Mental Health, about 26 percent of Americans aged over 18 years are diagnosed with a mental disorder every year. This equates to almost 60 million people. The NIMH has also found that about 6 percent of those, have been diagnosed with a serious mental condition, many of which may suffer from two or more mental conditions. Mental illness, has been found to be a major cause of disability amongst people, aged between 15 and 44 years in the US and Canada.

  Of course, mental conditions are not confined to the adult person, as people of all ages and genders can be affected by the disorder. Many children and adolescents are diagnosed with mental health problems, and special care is needed to treat them adequately. Mental conditions that affect children are varied and may be of a temporary nature, however, specialized treatment should be sought to help reduce the chances of the disorder becoming long term. NIMH reports indicate that about 5 percent of children in North America suffer from bouts of depression. This figure increases to around 8 percent for the number of teenagers who are suffering from anxiety and depression.

  Many teenagers are also affected by eating disorders, which can aggravate bouts of depression and lead to other problems such as, phobia, inhibition and learning difficulties. Teenage girls who may be suffering from anxiety or depression are susceptible to anorexia nervosa, a very serious eating disorder, which can lead to grave health concerns, even death. Mental conditions, such as these, need to be treated by mental health care professionals who can help young people to adjust to the circumstances that have brought about their disorders.

  Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a most severe mental health condition that is more likely to affect young boys. Sufferers of ADHD need specialized professional care as well as added personal attention from their parents. A child suffering from ADHD will display little regard for authority and will engage in a range of continuous physical activities much to the detriment of his fellow students, teachers and parents. Treatment, provided by a mental health care professional, for this type of disorder, may include some form of medication.

  Early diagnosis of mental health problems, is essential for the successful treatment of the conditions, and the prevention of long term effects that may result in a lasting disability.

• Career Prospects in Community-based Mental Health in Maryland

  Date: 2010.01.27 | Category: Mental Health | Response: 0

  There is a lot of prospect in community-based mental health careers both in the state of Maryland and all over the country. This is because for years now, there has been a lot of emphasis on prevention and reduction of inpatient hospitalization for all illnesses, including mental illness. This might primarily have been intended for cost control, it has also facilitated quality and access. The second reason why career prospects in community mental health are many is that there is currently a severe shortage of mental health workers in all sectors. The 2007 Maryland Mental Health Workforce White Paper revealed that the number and complexity of mental health problems experienced by children and their families have increased over the past decade. It further said, “At least one in five children and youth, or 20%, experience a mental health disorder. The crisis of mental health in the United States is such that 75-80% of youth with mental health diagnoses receive no services, and services received are often inadequate”. Thirdly, there is inadequate diversity among the few mental health workforce. For example, 28% of Maryland population is of ethnic minority but only 12% of mental workforce is of ethnic minorities. Furthermore, there is an acute shortage of African American males in mental health workforce.

  1. Outpatient Mental Health Clinics (OMHC)

  Outpatient mental health clinics provide therapy, counseling, medication management, social skills teaching, and case management services to individuals with severe and chronic mental health problems. Career prospects available in OMHC include:

  Therapists and Counselors: New regulations require therapists and counselors in OMHC to have a minimum of a Masters degree and a license (such as LGSW, LCSW, LCSW-C, LGPC, LCPC, RNC, APRN/PMHN) in nursing, social work, psychology, counseling, or psychiatric rehabilitation. Also, an RN without a Masters degree but with an RNC from ANCC can be employed as a therapist. Salaries are very attractive.

  2. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Programs (PRP)

  PRP programs are an extension of the services provided to the patient in the OMHC. A PRP may stand alone or be an additional service to an OMHC. The purpose of PRP is to promote the rehabilitation, integration and improved quality of life for the patient at home, school, work and community. It aims at helping the patient to function at his or her optimum best in life. The counseling can be done at the Program office (onsite) or at the patient’s home (offsite). PRP counseling could be about a wide range of topics, including anger management skills, social skills, assertiveness skills, medication compliance, coping with symptoms, managing peer pressure, taking a bus, determining bus route, drug and alcohol, gang prevention, sex education, STD education, accessing community resources such as food stamps, affordable housing, bus pass, ID card, driver’s license, job search, preparing for job interview, keeping a job, improving attention in school, completing homework and school projects, respect of authority, etc.

  Even though a mere one-year work experience in a mental health setting or having an AA degree qualifies one to be a PRP counselor, PRP programs prefer to employ persons with a BS degree in any health or mental health related field such as nursing, social work, counseling, psychology and rehabilitation. PRP counselors are usually paid $14 or more per counseling session. Each client receives 2 to 8 counseling sessions per month.

  3. Expanded School-Based Mental Health (ESBMH)

  In addition to the school clinic, some schools also have an ESBMH clinic. A therapist assigned from an OMHC manages each of such clinics. Apart from providing therapy to troubled kids sent to the therapist’s office from the class or principal’s office, the therapist also serve as a resource person to the school staff regarding particular children, issues or topics related to mental health.

  4. Crisis Response Programs (BCRI, BCARS)

  Mental health professionals are also needed in crisis centers where services are provided for anyone in mental health crisis. The two main centers in Baltimore are Baltimore Crisis Response, Inc. (BCRI) and Baltimore Child and Adolescent Response System (BCARS). For employment inquiries, please call 410-433-5255. There are positions that do not need a Masters degree.

  BCARS website provides the following information about what they do:

  BCARS is a mobile crisis response service that provides emergency contact with mental health professionals throughout the city. Dedicated crisis clinicians staff the program as part of a continuum of clinical care provided by the Catholic Charities.  The Johns Hopkins Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry provide psychiatric consultations to the program.  BCARS assists children and families facing psychiatric and psychosocial crises by providing hospital diversion and immediate intervention and respite. For information or assistance, please call the BCARS hotline (410) 752-2272. It is available 24-7.

  BCRI web site provided the following information: about what they do:

  HOTLINE: The telephone crisis “hotline” (410-752-2272) is available 24 hours a day and is staffed by trained counselors who have the ability to provide information and referral to the network of human services in the Baltimore metropolitan area. The counselors also provide supportive counseling, dispatch emergency assistance and link callers with more intensive BCRI services.  In FY 2004 – 34,852 and FY 2005 – 30,257 calls were received on the Hotline.

  MOBILE CRISIS TEAMS: Mobile crisis teams are comprised of mental health professionals including psychiatrists, social workers and nurses who can be dispatched to community locations to provide immediate assessment, intervention and treatment. Teams operate from 7:00am till midnight seven days per week. Currently the teams average over 2000 responses per year.

  IN HOME SUPPORT: Persons experiencing a mental health crisis can often be maintained in the community through regular visits from the BCRI mobile crisis teams. An average of 350 people a year is cared for in this manner.

  RESIDENTIAL CRISIS BEDS: Baltimore Crisis Response, Inc. operates 18 psychiatric crisis beds. Crisis beds are not new to Maryland. However, since its inception, BCRI has operated with an average length of stay of 4.5 days compared with the historical statewide average of 16.5 days.

  PUBLIC EDUCATION AND TRAINING: BCRI provide public and professional education and training on a wide range of mental health related topics including: suicide prevention, crisis intervention, mental illness, and stigma.  Training has also been provided to members of the Baltimore City Police Negotiation Team, over 3,000 patrol officers, Housing Police and Sheriff’s officers. Through special grants and contracts, BCRI has provided training to Baltimore City Public School teachers and guidance counselors, clergy, 911 operators, shelter care staff and others.  Public education is also provided via a cable television program called “Mental Health Matters”.  This program provides practical information regarding mental health issues and community resources.  BCRI has also offered professional training conferences, workshops and symposia.

  ADDICTIONS SERVICES: In response to the growing need for addictions treatment services BCRI has expanded and now provides a 10-day residential detoxification program for chemically addicted and dually diagnosed persons.  There are currently 16 beds operated for this purpose.

  5. Group Homes

  Direct care staff and counselors are needed in group homes to manage, care and support the residents in the areas of activities of daily living, behavior management, life progress, and community living. Employment preference is usually given to individuals who have a degree related to health or mental health. Salary rates are very attractive. New regulations now mandate each group home especially for children to be managed by a Program Administrator (PA) who must possess at least a BS degree in any field but preferably in a health or mental health related field. Program Administrators are very well paid, depending on their education and experience and the size and intensity of the group home.

  6. Private Practice

  There are a lot of prospects for licensed mental health professionals with at least a Masters degree to establish their own private practice. The practice could be in the area of clinical, research, educational, or consultancy.

• Mental Health – Causes and Symptoms

  Date: 2009.05.24 | Category: Mental Health | Response: 0

  Our mental health can vary according to our circumstances and can change across our lifetime, in the same way as our physical health does.

  Mental health problems are among the most common of all health conditions, directly affecting about a quarter of the population in any one year. Depression and anxiety are the most widespread conditions.

  Mental Health – Type of Dementia

  Dementia is the loss of mental functions, such as thinking, memory and reasoning, that is severe enough to interfere with a person’s daily life. Dementia is not a disease itself, but rather a group of symptoms that may accompany certain diseases or conditions. Symptoms may involve changes in personality, mood and behavior.

  Causes of Dementia

  • Vascular disorders, such as multi-infarct dementia, which is caused by multiple strokes in the brain

  • Depression

  • Infections of the central nervous system such as meningitis, HIV, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, a quickly progressing and fatal disease that is characterized by dementia and muscle twitching and spasm

  Causes of Mental Health Illness

  Although the exact cause of most mental illnesses is not known, it is becoming clear through research that many of these conditions are caused by a combination of biological, psychological and environmental factors.

  Symptoms Of Mental Health Disturbance

  ACTING DIFFERENT THAN USUAL. Can you link this change in behavior to something that has happened recently? Any event, such as the death of a close relative, or even something positive – like a job promotion – can trigger a troublesome emotional reaction.

  BECOMES AGGRESSIVE, RUDE, AND ABUSIVE OVER MINOR INCIDENTS.

  Are there remarks about groups or individuals “out to get me?” If that last remark was made in all seriousness, and blowups and violent physical behavior occur, there is a strong indication some help may be required.

  The greatest symptoms which trigger mental health concerns have to do with the person’s ability to function. When they suddenly start missing a lot of work or school or losing jobs, not eating or eating too much, barely sleeping or not sleeping at all, and seem to be irritable or angry with everyone and everything, these are usually early symptoms of mental health issues. As symptoms progress the individual may experience self harm such as cutting or burning themselves and taking unnecessary risks with their safety. Any significant drastic change can be a symptom of a mental health issue

  Ffailure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviors as indicated by repeatedly performing acts that are grounds for arrest

  Deceitfulness, as indicated by repeated lying, use of aliases, or conning others for personal profit or pleasure

• Important Mental Health Causes and Symptoms

  Date: 2009.04.24 | Category: Mental Health | Response: 0

  Our mental health can vary according to our circumstances and can change across our lifetime, in the same way as our physical health does.

  Mental health problems are among the most common of all health conditions, directly affecting about a quarter of the population in any one year. Depression and anxiety are the most widespread conditions.

  Anxiety disorders – Mental Health

  Anxiety disorders can take many forms. You may experience free-floating anxiety without knowing exactly why you’re feeling that way. You may suffer from sudden, intense panic attacks that strike without warning. Your anxiety may come in the form of extreme social inhibition or in unwanted obsessions and compulsions. Or you may have a phobia of an object or situation that doesn’t seem to bother other people.

  Symtoms Of Anxiety Disorders

  • Apprehension, uneasiness, and dread

  • Impaired concentration or selective attention

  • Feeling restless or on edge

  Mental Health – Type of Dementia

  Dementia is the loss of mental functions, such as thinking, memory and reasoning, that is severe enough to interfere with a person’s daily life. Dementia is not a disease itself, but rather a group of symptoms that may accompany certain diseases or conditions. Symptoms may involve changes in personality, mood and behavior.

  Causes of Dementia

  • Vascular disorders, such as multi-infarct dementia, which is caused by multiple strokes in the brain

  • Depression

  • Infections of the central nervous system such as meningitis, HIV, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, a quickly progressing and fatal disease that is characterized by dementia and muscle twitching and spasm

  Causes of Mental Health Illness

  Although the exact cause of most mental illnesses is not known, it is becoming clear through research that many of these conditions are caused by a combination of biological, psychological and environmental factors.

  Symptoms Of Mental Health Disturbance

  ACTING DIFFERENT THAN USUAL. Can you link this change in behavior to something that has happened recently? Any event, such as the death of a close relative, or even something positive – like a job promotion – can trigger a troublesome emotional reaction.

  BECOMES AGGRESSIVE, RUDE, AND ABUSIVE OVER MINOR INCIDENTS. Are there remarks about groups or individuals “out to get me?” If that last remark was made in all seriousness, and blowups and violent physical behavior occur, there is a strong indication some help may be required.

  The greatest symptoms which trigger mental health concerns have to do with the person’s ability to function. When they suddenly start missing a lot of work or school or losing jobs, not eating or eating too much, barely sleeping or not sleeping at all, and seem to be irritable or angry with everyone and everything, these are usually early symptoms of mental health issues. As symptoms progress the individual may experience self harm such as cutting or burning themselves and taking unnecessary risks with their safety. Any significant drastic change can be a symptom of a mental health issue

  Failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviors as indicated by repeatedly performing acts that are grounds for arrest

  Deceitfulness, as indicated by repeated lying, use of aliases, or conning others for personal profit or pleasure