Michelle Ranae Wild Serving Special Populations in CTE Mental Health in the Classroom and On the Job Tomorrow’s College Today.

Description Because of our increasingly complex and stressful society, along with increases in veteran populations, CTE programs are seeing more and more students falling victim to PTSD and other disabilities and mental health issues on campus and in the workplace. Goals of this presentation: Help identify such students. Provide some solutions for dealing with these students. Consider curriculum adaptations that will better prepare your students to deal with similar situations in the workplace.

PTSD/TBI Military Statistics Source: Center for Military Health Policy Research (2008)

Approximately 7.7 million American adults age 18 and older, or about 3.5% of people in this age group in a given year, have PTSD. Approximately 8% of the population (~24 million) will develop PTSD at some point in their lives. PTSD/TBI General Population Statistics Source: Centers for Disease Control’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control Web site Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Traumatic Brain Injury 5.3 million Americans currently have a long-term or lifelong need for help to perform activities of daily living. Approximately 1.4 million individuals sustain a brain injury every year. Of those sustaining a brain injury, 1.1 million are treated and released from the emergency department (2004 data). Source: National Institute of Mental Health Americas Heroes at Work

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Post-traumatic stress disorder, often abbreviated as PTSD, is a complex disorder in which the affected person's memory, emotional responses, intellectual processes, and nervous system have all been disrupted by one or more traumatic experiences, for example: Military Combat Rape Torture Genocide Natural Disasters Transportation or Workplace Disasters Source: Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders:

PTSD Symptoms Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms are commonly grouped into three types: intrusive memories, avoidance and numbing, and increased anxiety or emotional arousal (hyperarousal) Source: MayoClinic: disorder/DS00246/DSECTION=symptoms Intrusive Memories Flashbacks Dreams Avoidance & Numbing Avoid thinking or talking about event Hopelessness Memory problems Concentration issues Difficulty maintaining close relationships Anxiety & Hyperarousal Irritability or anger Overwhelming guilt or shame Trouble sleeping Being easily startled Self-destructive behavior

PTSD & College Challenges Going to school full-time Homework deadlines Overcrowded classrooms Working in groups Anxiety Isolation Lack of understanding by teachers and cohorts Standing out as a veteran Fatigue Memory issues Challenges with concentration

Consequences of an Acquired Brain Injury Impaired concentration, memory disturbances, language difficulties and/or poor reasoning skills prevent these individuals from resuming pre-accident activities. Awareness of limitations and unrealized career and personal goals lead to frustration and depression—further contributing to the individual’s unemployment, isolation, and alienation from friends, family, and community. Most frequent unmet needs: Improving memory and problem solving; Managing stress and emotional upsets; Controlling one's temper; and Improving one's job skills.

Potential Cognitive Issues for PTSD & TBI Attention to detail Recognizing visual similarities and differences Visual organization Memory cues Critical thinking Sequencing Categorization Problem-solving Planning Decision-making Following directions

Curriculum Considerations Provide clear instructions Include real-life examples Break steps down into manageable pieces Provide easy memory cues when appropriate Prepare students before presenting potentially difficult material Encourage a buddy system in class (e.g., study partners) Use stories Use visual aids Support cognitive flexibility by being open to various viewpoints If questioned about something, be direct during office hours Learn just a little about military culture

Making Cognitive Connections within CTE Curriculum Hospitality & Tourism Information Technology

Contact Information Michelle Ranae Wild (949)