Reality Check: Mental Illness - Anti-stigma Campaign

ST E T E H K T TAKE TY CHEC

REALI

Just in case you’re wondering, all of the information listed on this piece has been documented. Please go to www.monarchnc.org/realitycheckref.pdf for a complete listing of our resources. :)

If you or a friend has a few of these symptoms, please speak with your parents or call the numbers below right away.

.org c n rch a n mo

__Trouble sleeping or sleeping extra long hours __Eating too much or too little __Slow moving __Low energy __Sad and depressed, hopeless __Hard time focusing __Lack of interest in school or extra activities __Thoughts about death and dying __Irritable, moodiness, anger __Dark or disturbing images in artwork or doodling __Wants to be alone all the time

Here Is A Dose of Reality 1 in 5 teenagers has some type of real mental health problem.

Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death in high school kids.

Even young kids can get depressed -more than 2 million in the US. Childhood mental health problems are not the result of bad parenting.

Most people do not get help for mental illness.

Every single minute of every day, someone in the US tries to kill themselves.

In a classroom of 25 kids, as many as 5 could have mental illness.

QUICK CALL List FIND OUT MORE ONLINE www. monarchnc.org www.whatadifference.samhsa.gov www.pbhcare.org www.stopstigma.samhsa.gov Find us on Facebook = Support Monarch of North Carolina

Copyright c Monarch 2009.

Places to call or go for help

To find someone who can meet with you or a friend.

Monarch Help Line 1-866-272-7826

To find someone who can help close to where you live.

PBH 1-800-939-5911

When you need help right away!

National Suicide Prevention Hotline 1-800-273-TALK

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 case you ever 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 parents, your teachers, your guidance counselor-someone you trust.

The reality is that you can save a life, maybe even your own.

What do

David Beckham, JK Rowling, Abraham Lincoln, and Jessica Alba all have in common?

www.monarchnc.org

. k c e h c y t i l a e r r u This is yo What do...

David Beckham, JK Rowling, Abraham Lincoln, and Jessica Alba 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.

Yep, 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 among people your age.

What is stigma?

Some people don ’t understand or believe in mental illness or recovery from it. These people can make others uncomfortable about their illness. The stigma around mental illness stops those who need help from getting help they need to recover.

Mental Illness

What is mental illness?

Mental illness is a very real and serious condition that causes changes in a person ’s thinking, mood, and behavior.

What does all 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.

Who can get it?

Anyone. Adults and kids of all ages and of every color and race are at risk for mental illness.

Who has mental illness?

Plenty of people have mental illness.

Chances are that you actually know someone who suffers from some form of mental illness.

Can people recover from mental illness and have regular lives?

Absolutely. Many people 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.

Copyright c Monarch 2009.

Check out these real people who have had experience with mental illness::

HOW RUDE!

Psycho, shrink, whacko, loony, weirdo, nuts, schizo you get the idea.

Imagine calling someone with cancer or diabetes a rude name about their illness - not cool. This is not a joke and it is definitely not funny.

It is your responsibility to take that person and their condition seriously.

Mental illness is just as serious as diabetes or asthma.

If left untreated, the outcome could be tragic. 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.

Designed & written by Indiblu Creative. www.indiblucreative.com

Justin Timberlake Cameron Diaz Jim Carrey Billy Joel Charles Dickens Charles Darwin Ashley Judd Brooke Shields Beethoven Carrie Fisher (-Princess Leia Halle Berry Albert Einstein Michelangelo Hugh Laurie