West Mifflin Area High School Stand Together Committee presents… Stand Up to Stigma Week

Who we are… Standtogether.pittsburghcares.org

Our Goal To provide learning experiences to reduce negative attitudes, beliefs, and social distance between youth with behavioral health challenges and their peers.

What is Stigma? Stigma describes the negative perceptions and stereotypes associated with mental health disorders in our society, which often prevents people from getting help. Stigma reinforces inaccurate perceptions of people with mental health disorders as weak, unintelligent, and sometimes dangerous.

Stigma is shame. Shame causes silence. And silence hurts us all.

What is mental health? Much like how we think about our physical health, “mental health” describes our psychological wellness.

Sign our Pledge at Lunch to Stop Stigma Individual Pledge: I commit myself to ending stigma towards youth or adults who have a mental illness or substance use disorder by educating myself and others about these disorders. I will not ridicule those with a mental illnesses or substance use disorder. I will not use stigmatizing language like “psycho”, “mental”, “schizo” to refer to anyone whether that person has an illness or not. If someone tells me they are having suicidal thoughts, I will take this seriously and make sure they get the help they need. I realize that a mental illness or a substance use disorder is only a PART of who the person is, but it doesn’t completely define him/her. I will not judge people by their diagnosis but by who they are as a whole person. I know that caring friends can make all the difference in a person’s recovery, so I pledge to support others who have or develop a disorder such as anxiety or depression. School Pledge: Our School pledges to create a safe and welcoming environment for students and parents who have behavioral health challenges.

Common Disorders ADHD-Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Chronic condition where the student has difficulty sustaining attention, is over active, and shows impulsive behaviors. These students often struggle with school performance and sustaining relationships with peers. ODD- Oppositional Defiant Disorder Students who consistently lose one’s temper, argues with adults or refuses to comply with rules, often get angry, resentful, or vindictive, will deliberately annoy others

Common Disorders Continued… Anxiety Excessive and unrealistic worry about everyday tasks or events, or may be specific to certain objects or rituals. Can be specific (objects) or social (interacting with others) OCD-Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Illness that traps people in an endless cycle of repetitive thoughts or behaviors. They have distressing thoughts, fears, or images that they cannot control.

Common Disorders Continued… Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder This can occur after a person has seen or experienced a traumatic event that involved a threat, injury, or death. Major Depressive Disorder A constant sense of hopelessness. It is difficult to work, study, sleep, or enjoy the company of others. This can be tricky to treat because often times the person with MDD will cover up symptoms & not want to be a burden on others.

Bi-Polar Disorder (Manic Depressive Disorder) Associated with severe mood swings that range from extreme lows of depression to highs of mania and high energy. The brain deals with a chemical imbalance that can occur a few times a year, a week, or daily. Schizophrenia Group of several brain disorders which people will interpret reality abnormally. This can result in hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia. This is not a split personality disorder. Common Disorders Continued…

Celebrities and Mental Illness Chris Brown-Bi Polar Disorder Leonardo DiCapro-OCD Demi Lovato-Bi Polar, Eating Disorder Ben Stiller- Bi- Polar Disorder Jessica Alba-OCDLee Thompson Young-Bi-Polar/suicide Jim Carrey-Depression

Stop the Shame and Silence Silence leads to… Isolation Drug Use Self Medicating Physical Violence Self Harm Suicide Suicide is the SECOND leading cause of death for ages Each day in our nation there are an average of over 5,400 suicide attempts by young people grades out of 5 teens who attempt suicide have given clear warning signs

Peers are the most important people in a teen’s life *Listen *Get the person help through a counselor, parent, or faculty *Take threats seriously *Spend time with the person so they do not feel alone *Do not ignore warning signs