National Alliance on Mental Illness
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IN THE NEWS |
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10 Resolutions for 2013 to improve your mental healthAs a new year dawns, people look to the gym or the Zumba studio to whip the physical self into shape, but the mind and spirit also need tending.  "The number one thing is letting go of unrealistic expectations," said Elaine Greer, director of pastoral care at Central Baptist Hospital. "We tend to put so much pressure on ourselves. Remember to take time for yourself, especially if you tend to be the kind of person who is always doing for others. If we don't fill our spirits up, we are going to be empty and not be able to help other people."Also, be aware of the people you surround yourself with. Put yourself in a positive place as much as possible. Negative people who are complaining that nothing is ever right" should be avoided, she said, " That kind of bad attitude can be contagious."
Here are other suggestions from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Mayo Clinic to improve your mood and mental health. Rest: Most adults need seven to nine hours of sleep a night. Being well-rested helps you think better so you are prepared to handle problems as they arise. Share: If you have a worry, share it with family or friends. The simple act of sharing can lighten a burden. Talking also might help you see things in a new way. Breathe: Shallow breathing is a typical stress response and can cause light- headedness and, in the extreme, hyperventilation. When you're stressed, a few good, deep breaths can go a long way toward calming the mind and body. Invest: Invest in important relationships. Let people know that you appreciate them and that you're glad they're part of your life. Be grateful: Make a commitment to practice gratitude daily. Be grateful each day for one thing that enriches your life. Let gratitude be the last thought before you go to sleep and your first thought in the morning. Live in the moment: Savor the small pleasures of today instead of worrying about the past or future. Forgive yourself: Everyone makes mistakes. They are just an isolated moment in time, not a permanent reflection on you as a person. Acknowledge the mistake and move on. Focus: Yes, you can text, email and talk on your smartphone while doing myriad other things, but all that flurry can leave you reeling. Try focusing on one task at a time, do it well and then go to the next thing. Move: You don't have to run a marathon. Just try to get in a good walk and stretch each day to improve circulation and general well-being. Reward yourself: Find a way to reward yourself for keeping stress at bay. Maybe it's a watching an extra-long show on TV, resting on an extra-soft pillow or eating a tidbit of extra-dark chocolate as a treat. ____________________________________________________________________ |
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One mom fights the system to help mentally ill sonUSATODAY EST December 24, 2012 CINCINNATI — Mom Melissa Brown was driving her 10-year-old son, Max, to get chili when he told her, "You know, Mom, I'm going to kill you someday." Brown knew Max was mentally ill, that something had been wrong since she was pregnant, but a chill ran through her. She looked in the rearview mirror. He was looking back at her. He was calm, and Brown wasn't afraid at that moment. But she knew he meant what he said. Continue reading article here ____________________________________________________________________ |
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A Letter to the President and Vice PresidentThe senseless shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newton, Conn. has left Americans with broken hearts and many questions. While it should not have taken a tragic event to recognize the mental health crisis in America, it is time for Congress and the rest of America to act. As the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization NAMI will be at the vanguard pushing for improved mental health care for all Americans. The executive director of NAMI, Mike Fitzpatrick, has sent letters to President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden urging them to address mental health care head on and ensure that our country remains strong. Click here to download [PDF] NAMI’s letter to President Obama. Click here to download [PDF] NAMI’s letter to Vice President Biden. ____________________________________________________________________ |
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The Long Battle to Rethink Mental Illness in ChildrenBy Shirley S. Wang The Wall Street Journal Holed up in windowless hotel conference rooms near Washington, D.C., scientists have been busy rewriting the bible of American mental illness. It is the first revision of the nearly 1,000-page tome in 15 years, and one of the top priorities of the insular conclave is to rethink some children's disorders, particularly bipolar disorder. The fear is that too many treatable children are slipping between the cracks, either because of misdiagnosis or—more controversially—because they suffer from a disease that hasn't even been defined yet. His emotions change quickly throughout the day. Pediatric bipolar illness is one of the most significant categories of psychiatric ailments in children, even though it came into existence as a diagnosis only in the mid-1990s. Hundreds of thousands of U.S. children are estimated to have been diagnosed with it. Many are heavily medicated. Read entire article |
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UPCOMING EVENTS |
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Increasing Student Engagement: Strategies for Developing Motivated, Resilient Learners-FOR PROFESSIONALS This program will guide educators and clinicians in examining the mindset they bring to their work with children, and explore the concepts of student engagement and resilience. Dr. Brooks will provide tools and strategies for encouraging greater involvement in school through improved motivation and resilience. |
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Registration is $160 per person. |
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Less Stress, More Balance: Keys to a Resilient Family- FOR PARENTS When a child is struggling in school, the entire family is affected. The role of a parent is to defuse the stress, and to encourage habits that help the family regain its balance in a healthy way. For many years, Dr. Brooks has worked with struggling students and their families, helping them to manage stressful times and to foster resilience within the family. The skills for accomplishing this are not intuitive, but they can be learned. |
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Registration is $25 per person. |
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To register for either workshop go to www.springer-ld.org or call (513) 871-6080. ____________________________________________________________ |
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