Take the
k c e h C y t i l a Re test If you, a family member, or a friend has a few of these symptoms, please speak with a doctor or call the numbers below right away.
Y N Difficulty sleeping or in need of excessive sleep Sudden weight gain or loss Slow moving Low energy Sad and depressed, hopeless Hard time focusing Lack of interest in work, school, or hobbies Thoughts about death and dying
All of the information listed on this piece has been documented. Please go to
Irritable, moodiness, anger
www.monarchnc.org/realitycheckref.pdf
Not wanting to spend time with others
for a complete listing of our resources.
www.monarchnc.org
QUICK CALLList Places to call or go for help
Monarch Help Line 1-866-272-7826
FIND OUT MORE ONLINE PBH 24/7/365 Regional Referral www. monarchnc.org www.whatadifference.samhsa.gov 1-800-939-5911 www.pbhcare.org National Suicide Prevention Hotline www.stopstigma.samhsa.gov find us on Facebook = 1-800-273-TALK Support Monarch of North Carolina
Line
So, now you know the basic reality about mental illness and how to stay in check with family, friends, and people willing to help. Keep this guide in a safe place in the event you need the phone numbers and information. When you see signs of mental illness, don’t wait to get help for yourself or others. Start with your loved ones, your friends, your doctor – someone you trust. The reality is that you can save a life, maybe even your own.
do t a h W
Billy Joel, Abraham Lincoln, Halle Berry, and Brooke Shields all have in common?
Mental Illness Reality Check What do... Billy Joel, Abraham Lincoln, Halle Berry, and Brooke Shields all have in common? A. They’re all famous. B. They’ve all been successful. C. They’ve all suffered from mental illness. D. All of the above Believe it or not, if you answered “D- All of the above,” you are correct. That’s right, even the mental illness one. Hard to believe that these people could have a mental illness? Read on for more interesting information about this surprisingly common struggle.
Here Is A Dose of Reality
What is mental illness? Mental illness is a very real and serious condition that causes changes in a person’s thinking, mood, and behavior.
Only 1 in 4 adults believe a person with mental illness can recover.
Who can get it? Anyone. Adults and kids of all ages and of every color and race are at risk for mental illness.
Eating disorders, anxiety, depression, mood swings, uncontrollable temper, drug addiction, alcoholism, and fears are just a few examples of mental illness.
Who has mental illness? Nearly 1 in 5 persons aged18-24 reports having a mental illness. Chances are that you actually know someone who suffers from some form of mental illness.
RealityCheck The reality is that you can save a life, maybe even your own.
Can people recover from mental illness and have regular lives? Absolutely. Many individuals with mental illness have wonderful and successful lives. Most have learned to live with their illness by getting the help they needed from professionals, friends, and family.
Everyone will be affected by mental illness in one way or another in their lifetime.
What does this have to do with you? It is very likely that you or someone close to you has or will have some form of mental illness sometime in your life. It is your responsibility to take that person and their condition seriously.
Even young kids can get depressed – more than 2 million in the U.S.
Mental illness is just as serious as diabetes or asthma. If left untreated, the outcome could be tragic.
The number one factor in a person’s recovery plan is the support and acceptance of friends.
You can help by being a good friend, listening, and encouraging them to get help. If you believe that you may have a mental illness, you should seek help as well.
Every single minute of every day, someone in the U.S. tries to kill themselves.
www.monarchnc.org Check out these real people who have had experience with mental illness::
Charles Darwin
Hugh Laurie
Cameron Diaz
Carrie Fisher
Jim Carrey
Albert Einstein
J.K. Rowling
Michelangelo
Charles Dickens
Justin Timberlake
Ashley Judd
Jessica Alba
David Beckham Ludwig VAn Beethoven Designed & written by Indiblu Creative. www.indiblucreative.com
Copyright c Monarch 2009.