Mental Health Overview
Mental health is described as a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community.
Table of Contents |
| Mental Health Overview |
| Mental Health in Students |
|
Minority Stress |
| Men's Mental Health |
| Suicide Awareness |
| Podcasts |
| Local Resources |
| References |
Mental Health in Students
13% of children ages 13-17 have a diagnosed mental or behavioral health condition. Poor mental health has an effect on students academic performance as well as their adolescent development. Students who suffer from mental health conditions may struggle to develop social relationships, communicate to peers, and maintain positive self esteem. Due to underlying conditions, students may struggle to focus and maintain concentration during classes. This can then lead to failing grades and the development of poor educational experiences. Mental health conditions may also effect student's quality of life.
Reduced mental health states within students has been dramatically increasing since the start of Covid-19. Due to the significant isolation/ lack of social interactions, student mental health has been decreasing. A practical mental health state is vital for academic growth. There is still an increased need today for behavioral help and a decrease in attendance for students. Since Covid, it is of great importance that students have the support and services provided for them through these rough times. 70% report an increase of students seeking services since 2020. Teachers have been doing all that they can in order to contribute to the cause. For instance, mental health days. These are treated like a "sick day", where the student can remain absent for a school day and treat it as if they were sick with no consequence. This is so that the student can heal, deal with the problem, and/or seek care. Twelve states allow their students to take mental health days.
In Normal, ISU police officers have partnered up with mental health professionals from the Center for Human Services due to the rise in mental health related crises in the past few years. The professionals will assist on-campus 911 calls in a means to help properly evaluate students.
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Minority Stress
Minority Stress can be described as high levels of stress that effect members of a stigmatized minority group. Some examples of these stressors are financial issues, exposure to a high rate of violence, homophobia/transphobia, racial aggression, access to medical care, low comfort in medical settings .The theory of Minority stress has grown and evolved via interviews, surveys and experiential narratives of social minorities including thed SGM population (Sexual and Gender Minority).
In creating the concept and the understanding of minority stress, the assumptions researchers had was that minority stress is unique, chronic and socially based. In 2001, Amnesty International reported that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ+) people are subject to widespread human rights abuses, torture, and ill treatment, ranging from loss of dignity to assault and murder. When compared to cisgender and heterosexual youth, the youth members of the LGBTQ+ community can deal with an increased risk of threats and assaults. They may fear for their own physical and mental well being and could miss school days due to this fear and the stress it causes. Minority stress can cause Emotional Dysregulation, which can be defined as a mental health symptom that can involve having a difficult time controlling your emotions and acting on those feelings.
Mens Mental Health
Mens Mental health is one of the more overlooked problems in modern society. Many men refuse help of others when struggling with their mental health because it is against cultural norms. McLean county has seen poor trends when it comes to male suicide. There has already been a reported 19 male suicides through July in 2023, which is 2 more than all of 2022 combined. Suicide is more common than most may think, there has been more reported suicides than there has been homicides and traffic related deaths. Most men will commit suicide because of many life stressors. Stress, family issues, drug abuse are among the many reasons most men will resort to taking their own life. Talking to a therapist or loved ones is the best way to get rid of some of the stressors.
The popular saying "most men receive their first flowers at their funeral" is true for most. One in Ten men will eventually experience depression like symptoms as well as anxiety. Half of the men that deal with these issues will not go seek help for them. Most men just want to be recognized and heard, rather than have to go to a therapist and talk about their feelings. In a survey among 47 that just recently went through a breakup, 24 of them sought out mental health care. McLean county agencies are currently trying to set up resources for people struggling with their mental health by setting up call services and listing do it yourself methods so if you prefer not to open up to anyone you do not have too.
Suicide Awareness
Suicide is the second leading cause of death among people aged 10-34.1
Twenty-two veterans commit suicide a day9
Resources
Bloomington-Normal has multiple different types of resources for people with mental illness. There is a wide variety of options. There are counseling services, rehab treatments, and hotlines. You can call 2-1-1 in a crisis. Once you call, they will direct you to the right path.
Bloomington-normal has limited options on mental health that directly correlate with veterans listed below are those organizations that directly work for veterans and overall mental health organizations.
Organizations
Chestnut Health Systems
The Mental Wellness Center
https://www.thementalwellnesscenter.com/Add a caption
LifeStance Health
Department of Veteran Affairs
https://www.va.gov/illiana-health-care/locations/bloomington-va-clinic/
Veterans of foreign wars post 454
References
1. “Mental Health by the numbers.” NAMI. June 2022. Mental Health By the Numbers | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness Accessed September 1, 2022.
2. Fogal, Jake. “Normal Police Department looking to help officers responding to mental health calls.” WJBC. January 5, 2022. Normal Police Department looking to help officers responding to mental health calls | WJBC AM 1230 Accessed September 5, 2022.
3. Connolly, Danny. "New Mental Health Hotline coming to Illinois." CIProud. January 24, 2022. New mental health hotline coming to Illinois | CIProud.com (centralillinoisproud.com). Accessed September 5, 2022.
4.“Mental Health action plan in McLean County.” McLean County. 2022. Mental Health Action Plan | McLean County, IL - Official Website (mcleancountyil.gov) Accessed September 1, 2022.
5. “Bloomington City, Illinois QuickFacts.” United States Census Bureau. 2021. U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Bloomington city, Illinois Accessed September 14, 2022.
6. "The State of Mental Health in America." Mental Health America. 2022. The State of Mental Health in America | Mental Health America (mhanational.org) Accessed September 1, 2022.
7. Close, Laura. “The Challenging Transition from Military to Civilian Life.” https://veteranaddiction.org/veterans-struggles-after-military-service/ Accessed 15 Sept. 2022.
8. “Veteran Mental Health - Facts and Stats That Need to Be Addressed.” 26 July 2018https://nvf.org/veteran-mental-health-facts-statistics/, Accessed September 2, 2022
9. “22 Vets a Day.” https://www.22vetsaday.com/ accessed September 15, 2022
10. “Bloomington Veterans Demographics and Statistics | LiveStories.” https://www.livestories.com/statistics/illinois/bloomington-veteran-demographics. Accessed 15 Sept. 2022.
11. Pantagraph.com. (n.d.). The pantagraph: E-edition |. pantagraph.com. https://pantagraph.com/eedition/. Accessed 13 Sept 2022
12. Haines, S., Markham, D., & Wire, N. M. 2022, October 3. Schools nationwide offer students Mental Health Days. CIProud.com. https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/national/schools-nationwide-offer-students-mental-health-days/. Accessed 13 Sept 2023
13.Cwjbc. 2023, July 26. Illinois State University Police to partner with Mental Health Professionals. WJBC AM 1230. https://www.wjbc.com/2023/07/26/illinois-state-university-police-to-partner-with-mental-health-professionals/. Accessed 13 Sept 2023
