2008 Woodie Awards
May is Mental Health Month
Ben Griggs
Issue date: 5/9/08 Section: Features
With the rising stress of finals we are fortunate to be closely surrounded by friends and peers. That is the idea driving this year's mental health month. Each year the Iowa Campaign for Mental Health Recovery recognizes May as Mental Health Month.
According to Kathy Dorrf, the campaign coordinator, "Young adults ages 18-25 are almost twice as likely to suffer from a serious mental condition as the general population, yet they're the least likely to seek help for their illness." These illnesses are a serious matter.
According to a release by the Iowa Department of Human Services, "one of every five young adults experiences serious mental health problems, such as depression, schizophrenia, or anxiety, and suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students."
The good news is that it is possible to recover from mental illness. "It is a biologically based disorder. It deserves treatment just like any other medical condition and the treatments are successful," said Patrick Schmitz, Executive Director of the Plains Area Mental Health Services.
Unfortunately, the stigma associated with mental illness prevents early adults from seeking help. Because of this, the difference in someone who is suffering from mental illness's life may just be a friend.
"The most important thing you can say to a friend when beginning this conversation is that you care," reads a supportafriendiowa.com campaign flyer.
Other suggestions for helping a friend include: expressing sincere concern and sympathy; asking for details about how your friend is managing the problem, then carefully listening to the answers; asking what you can do to help; reminding them that mental illness is treatable, and encouraging him or her to seek help; reducing the stigma by being aware of labeling; and most importantly treating them with the same respect as any other friend.
"College students need to take time to take care of themselves. They have very busy schedules and often forget that. They should schedule time, even 15 to 20 minutes, to gain perspective," said Schmitz.
Observances during Mental Health Month include: Children's Mental Health Awareness Week, May 4-10; National Anxiety and Depression Awareness Week, May 4-10; and Older Americans' Mental Health Week, May 25 - 31, 2008.
BVU offers its own counseling services to students, faculty and staff in the Student Services offices free of charge. Information about recognizing symptoms and lending help to others can be found on the counseling webpage (http://www2.bvu.edu/studentservices/counselingservices/).
According to Kathy Dorrf, the campaign coordinator, "Young adults ages 18-25 are almost twice as likely to suffer from a serious mental condition as the general population, yet they're the least likely to seek help for their illness." These illnesses are a serious matter.
According to a release by the Iowa Department of Human Services, "one of every five young adults experiences serious mental health problems, such as depression, schizophrenia, or anxiety, and suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students."
The good news is that it is possible to recover from mental illness. "It is a biologically based disorder. It deserves treatment just like any other medical condition and the treatments are successful," said Patrick Schmitz, Executive Director of the Plains Area Mental Health Services.
Unfortunately, the stigma associated with mental illness prevents early adults from seeking help. Because of this, the difference in someone who is suffering from mental illness's life may just be a friend.
"The most important thing you can say to a friend when beginning this conversation is that you care," reads a supportafriendiowa.com campaign flyer.
Other suggestions for helping a friend include: expressing sincere concern and sympathy; asking for details about how your friend is managing the problem, then carefully listening to the answers; asking what you can do to help; reminding them that mental illness is treatable, and encouraging him or her to seek help; reducing the stigma by being aware of labeling; and most importantly treating them with the same respect as any other friend.
"College students need to take time to take care of themselves. They have very busy schedules and often forget that. They should schedule time, even 15 to 20 minutes, to gain perspective," said Schmitz.
Observances during Mental Health Month include: Children's Mental Health Awareness Week, May 4-10; National Anxiety and Depression Awareness Week, May 4-10; and Older Americans' Mental Health Week, May 25 - 31, 2008.
BVU offers its own counseling services to students, faculty and staff in the Student Services offices free of charge. Information about recognizing symptoms and lending help to others can be found on the counseling webpage (http://www2.bvu.edu/studentservices/counselingservices/).
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