The article link:

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/21/opinion/why-waiters-drink-and-why-it-matters.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FAlcohol%20Abuse&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=collection

References

Bronson, B. (2017, August 21) Why Waiters Drink. And Why It Matters. Retrieved September 09, 2017, from https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/21/opinion/why-waiters-drink-and-why-it-matters.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FAlcohol%20Abuse&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=collection

 Mojarad, F. A., Jouybari, L., & Sanagoo, A. (2017). Drug abuse among nurses: A neglected challenge. Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Sciences, 4(1), 1-2. doi:10.18869/acadpub.jnms.4.1.1

 

Munoz, J. P., Stoffel, V., & Brown, C. (2011). Occupational Therapy in Mental Health: A Vision for Participation. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis. 

 

 

 

 

Reference:

Linnert, E. (2017). Hundreds nap in GR to raise funds for mental health. WOODTV.com. Retrieved 10 September 2017, from http://woodtv.com/2017/09/06/hundreds-nap-in-gr-to-raise-funds-for-mental-health/

 

An interesting line I read was when Wachtel (2017) says, “let them know they are not going crazy – everyone feels the way they do right now” (para. 5). I think this quote is interesting because of his word choice of “crazy” and I believe he could have used a different word, perhaps something along the lines of “let them know they are not alone” (I realized after re-reading the article that he uses this exact line a few paragraphs later, so perhaps he could have omitted the “crazy” sentence altogether). The word “crazy” has a negative connotation in this context, and a reader may misinterpret it and think that having depression outside of a natural disaster is labeled as “crazy” and abnormal. We should work to remove the stigma that is associated with mental health outside of natural disasters; this article emphasizes that it is okay to feel this way due to hurricanes, but we should remind readers that these feeling are okay and accepted even without a hurricane. 

 

References

Brown, C. & Stoffel V. (2011). Occupational Therapy in Mental Health: A vision for participation. Philadelphia. F.A. Davis.

Wachtel, M. (2017, September 9). How to spot depression, anxiety in hurricane survivors. 9NEWS. Retrieved from http://www.9news.com/news/health/dr-max-how-to-spot-depression-anxiety-in-hurricane-survivors/472681667

Furthermore, the author then goes into detail about how to support a teen with PTSD and the severity of providing resources for those experiencing side effects from trauma. Children that have been exposed to a traumatic event are at an extremely higher rate to develop at least one symptom of acute stress response within a few weeks of the incident, also placing them at a high risk to develop long term PTSD (Brown & Stoffel, 2011). 

The author’s story is significant in how we as a society view teen PTSD as ‘just a phase’ that all teenagers go through mood swings and being irritable is typical at a certain age. She states she was misdiagnosed with ADHD and bipolar and given medication, that it wasn’t until she was 19 years old that she learned she was suffering from PTSD. Her story of her struggle with PTSD challenges the stigma of teen PTSD in an advocating way to inspire other children and adolescents who are feeling the same about how to get support and who to call for help. As well to educating adults on what PTSD and mental illnesses looks like for a young person and how to support them through it, rather than write it off as a typical phase that all teenagers go through. 

References
Brown, C. & Stoffel V. (2011). Occupational Therapy in Mental Health: A Vision for Participation. Philadelphia. F.A. Davis. ISBN: 978-0-8036-1704-9

Hovitz, H. (2017, May 25). This Is What It Feels Like to Survive a Terrorist Attack as a Young Teen. Retrieved September 12, 2017, from http://www.health.com/anxiety/teen-ptsd-manchester-terrorist-attacks

 

Reference:

 

Gleeson, S., & Brady, E. (2017, August 30). When athletes share their battles with mental illness. Retrieved September 12, 2017, from https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2017/08/30/michael-phelps-brandon-marshall-mental-health-battles-royce-white-jerry-west/596857001/

 

The officials detained individuals by using the Baker Act, which is, “a law that enables authorities to institutionalize patients who present a danger to themselves or others” (Licon, 2017, p. 1). According to the officials, if homeless people make the decision that they do not want to go to the shelter, then they are causing danger to themselves and therefore, do not have the ability to make this decision for themselves. Nisar stated, "A person who has a history of mental illness and who is staying in harm's way, and doesn't have a logical cohesion of what is right or what is wrong at that point, is a harm to himself, and at that point we can Baker Act them for his own protection," (Licon, 2017, p. 1).

 I found this article be very stigmatizing because the message behind the article is that people with mental illness cannot make decisions for themselves. Stigma is disregarding an individual because if a characteristic (Brown & Stoffel, 2011). In this case the homeless people's free will was disregarded because of their mental health. I do not claim to know what was right in this situation; although, I do think it is important to make the effort to keep everyone safe no matter what socioeconomic situation that they are in. A homeless man who was detained stated, "You are trying to make me go somewhere I don't want to go," (Licon, 2017, p. 1). Is this taking away the civil rights of people with mental illness? Are they giving people living in a home the same ultimatum? 

References:
Brown, C. & Stoffel V. (2011). Occupational Therapy in Mental Health: A vision for participation. Philadelphia. F.A. Davis.

 Licon, A. (2017). Miami shelters homeless against their will as Irma closes in. latimes.com. Retrieved 12 September 2017, from http://www.latimes.com/nation/ct-miami-homeless-removed-irma-20170908-story.html

I think in a way, this article challenges stigma because it creates awareness of mental illness conditions, in that it is a real thing and anyone in the world can possess it. The article also shares that research recommends to monitor communities for mental health problems and providing services that is needed for them (Carroll & Frakt 2017). According to Brown & Stoffel (2011), “although negative attitudes about mental illness still exist, the general public has increased its level of understanding mental illness” (pp. 403). And though this news article is not educating on how to fight stigma, the authors are, in some form, promoting understanding about mental health to its audience. 

References
Brown, C. & Stoffel V. (2011). Occupational Therapy in Mental Health: A Vision for Participation. Philadelphia. F.A. Davis. 

Carroll, A.E., & Frakt, A. (2017, August 31). The Long-Term Health Consequences of Hurricane Harvey. Retrieved September 12, 2017, from https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/31/upshot/the-long-term-health-consequences-of-hurricane-harvey.html

 

This also seems to support goals typical of public health, as it seems like the idea behind opening more services for children is trying to address the condition early enough to allow the children to not have to deal with the barriers that are typical of adults with mental conditions (Wang, 2017). It seems like part of the mission of the expansion of these health services is to help individuals that deal with other social issues, and common stressors associated with mental health including stressors from life, and getting health care services (Wang, 2017). This is a change that targets that lack of services that are provided for individuals with mental illnesses. This shows that advocacy toward providing more services for the MH community is being made and is working.

 

Overall the article seems to “challenge” the current stigma, but mostly shows that these stigmas have been recognized and that there are individuals out there that are making an effort to create change about the current mental health situation.

Wang, V. (September 5, 2017). City Hospital System is Expanding Children’s Mental 

Health Programs. New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/05/nyregion

/city-hospital-system-is-expanding-childrens-mental-health-programs.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FMental%20Health%20and%20Disorders&action=click&contentCollection=health®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=collectionReply%20Quote

 

I think this article challenges stigma because the reporters are creating awareness of certain mental health concerns that may result from the hurricanes (i.e. PTSD, depression, anxiety). According to Brown & Stoffel (2011), “The effects of stigma can be buffered by positive social support” (p. 407). This article supports that claim by advocating for communities to work together to rebuild their neighborhoods and to provide support and resources to those who have been severely affected. 
 

References 

Brown, C. & Stoffel V. (2011). Occupational Therapy in Mental Health: A vision for participation. Philadelphia. F.A. Davis. 

 

Houston, J.B. & First, J. (2017, September 12). Hurricane Harvey and Irma: The mental health impact of major disasters. Business Standard. Retrieved September 12, 2017 from http://www.business-standard.com/article/international/hurricane-harvey-and-irma-the-mental-health-impact-of-major-disasters-117091200314_1.html 

Since Trump’s election, “Experts on immigration mental health say they have already seen a spike” (Villavicencio, 2017). Undocumented parents are pulling their children from schools. With an increase of fear and anxiety, undocumented college students, “Have shown physical and emotional manifestations of stress: chronic headaches, toothaches, ulcers” (Villavicencio, 2017). With trump’s heartbreaking decision to end the DACA program, anxiety, stress and mental health issues will continue to rise.

This article addresses the stigma associated with mental illness in the undocumented immigrant population. The author shares her own experiences, such as her own father hiding the fact that his father died to not disrupt her mental health. Likewise, she shares the stories of other undocumented immigrants who all live with mental illness. I think this article brings awareness to not only the hardships that undocumented immigrants have, but the affects they can have on mental health. Unfortunately, I do not think this article will ever reach the president, but it would be insightful for government officials to read to better understand stigma within this population. 

 

References: Villavicencio, K. (2017, September 8). The Psychic Toll of Trump's DACA Decision . New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/08/opinion/sunday/mental-health-daca.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FMental%20Health%20and%20Disorders&action=click&contentCollection=health®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=4&pgtype=collection

By consciously altering your thought processes, you can literally re-wire your brain...experts believe that optimism is a trait that can be learned pretty easily" (Steinhilber, 2017). This article discusses the benefits of being optimistic and that anyone can become an optimist if they trained themselves to be one. This article further perpetuates the stigma for conditions such as anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder as being a condition that is not as serious. Such conditions can be seen as controllable or not as significant and that the individual simply needs to make a quick "re-wiring" of their brain to get back on track. This article provides individuals with great tips on how they can alter their thinking in certain situations, but mental health conditions should not be taken any less lightly because of this information.

References:
Steinhilber, B. (2017). How to train your brain to be more optimistic: The glass is half full - here's how to see it that way. Retrieved online on 12 September,  2017 from https://www.nbcnews.com/better/health/how-train-your-brain-be-more-optimistic-ncna795231

Curry’s article (2017) challenges the stigma associated with refugees and the tremendous struggle they endure in their war-torn homelands that leave them with severe post-traumatic stress disorder, and trauma induced anxiety and depression. Munos, Brown & Stoffel (2011) define stigma as “the marginalization of an individual due to an attribute he or she has.” Stigmatization in this article is clearly addressed, and the author and his subject attempt to paint a picture of a population that is misunderstood and is being asked to uproot and move across the world, physically, culturally, and occupationally.

 

The NPR story outlines an individual, Ahmad’s, journey to Germany as a Syrian refugee. He now works for IPSO (International Psychosocial Organization) counseling refugees in over 4 languages. He attempts to address the mental health problems that accompany refugees, and asks his peers to open up. Ahmad says, “Mental health problems...are stigmatized in many of the cultures that refugees come from. People are afraid to ask for help, and refugees often worry counselors might be reporting on them to the managers at the shelter or to the government agencies with the power to grant them asylum or not — and that they bring with them a fear and mistrust of authorities and government from the places they're fleeing” (Curry, 2017). Ahmad goes on, “regardless of their accomplishments or abilities back home, they're starting from scratch. In Syria, they were famous surgeons, school principals, leaders of their community...here they're just another refugee. People leave behind a lot of dignity” (Curry, 2017).

 

This story rings especially true to the ears of an occupational therapist student. Refugees are deprived of their activities of daily living when transplanted to a new country, community, environment, and culture. They leave behind an identity and walk into a world where their role, rituals, activities, and occupations are often decided for them, systematically imposed upon them, or are left feeling unidentified. But, even though these things may be true, an individual is so much more than these facts. And I think that is where the stigma comes in. This article attempts to break that stigma by pointing out that these people are humans with hopes, dreams, fears, strengths, and boundless potential. Maybe in their new environment, there can be a support system to reintroduce routine and occupation, and bring them closer to the baseline of their occupational selves whom they embodies in their previous lives.

Reference:

Curry, A. (2107, September 6). ‘I Needed Someone To See Me': One Refugee's Story Of Recovery. Retrieved September 12, 2017, from: http://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2017/09/06/548624782/the-counselor-whos-walked-many-miles-in-a-refugees-shoes

 

Munoz, J. P., Stoffel, V., & Brown, C. (2011). Occupational Therapy in Mental Health: A Vision for Participation. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis.

The article discusses how "the mental health crisis has filled jails to bursting with mentally ill people who would be more effectively dealt with through treatment" (Board, 2017). The article meant to get inmates with a mental health problem help, however, in the article as a means to grab and hold the reader's attention the imagery they used to describe the prison 'bursting with mentally ill people' only proves to further stigmatize them.

The article goes on to explain how Trump agrees there is an issue but the focus is less on the needs of the people and more on the cost that those people incur when they are being taken care of by the jail and prison system (board, 2017). 
The article goes on to detail how mentally ill people are jailed because their behaviors are 'annoying' to officers and new acts have been put in by congress that will serve to train officers to identify signs of untreated mental illness, expand treatment for individuals returning to society, and to reduce the number of imprisoned mentally ill people (Board, 2017). 

Throughout this article it is achingly clear that the verbiage used can only support the continuation of stigma attached to 'mentally ill people' as this article likes to say. The article does try to stick up for individuals that need psychiatric care saying that they shouldn’t be cut off from the public health systems however there mode of transferring that information to the public only proves to further the stigma attached to individuals who suffer from a mental issue. 

 

Resources 

 

Board, T. E. (2017, February 27). Mental Illness, Untreated Behind Bars. Retrieved September 12, 2017, from https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/27/opinion/mental-illness-untreated-behind-bars.html?mcubz=0 

Mueller, B. (2017, August 23). Public Hospitals Treat Greater Share of Mental Health Patients. The New York Times, pp. A15. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/22/nyregion/new-york-mental-health-hospitals.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FMental%20Health%20and%20Disorders&action=click&contentCollection=health&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=15&pgtype=collection

This recent article explains the exciting new department that is being added to the Rady Children’s Hospital, the nation’s first pediatric psychiatric emergency department. There is a national problem with a huge increase in average number of psychiatric emergency patients, now up to four hundred a month (Sisson, 2017). According to a study done by Pittsenbarger, Manniz, & Stevenson (2014) the most common psychiatric diagnosis seen in the emergency rooms were anxiety states/panic disorder, depression, drug abuse, and conduct disorders.  

 

Previously many of the psychiatric emergency patients would have to wait in regular emergency room beds for days. Now with the new department, immediate evaluation and treatment plan is possible. 

 

What’s exciting about this article is that 6 million philanthropic donations were made specifically for this new project, which is exceptional because large sums of money are not usually donated to mental health. 

 

This article challenges the stigma of mental health conditions. It shows that people want to support those who have mental illness and give them a place in emergency situations. It gives children a safe place to receive treatment. Hopefully this new department will encourage children to get the help that they need by giving them an alternative place to go besides the emergency room or hotline to call. This article also creates an awareness that psychiatric emergencies of children are on the rise and more initiative needs to be taken around the country. 

 

Reference

 

Sisson, P. (2017). Rady Children's to create unique psychiatric emergency department for kids. The San Diego Union-Tribute. Retrieved from http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/health/sd-me-rady-psych-20170912-story.html

 

Pittsenbarger, Z. E., Mannix, R., & Stevenson, M. D. (2014). Trends in Pediatric Visits to the Emergency Department for Psychiatric Illnesses. Academic Emergency Medicine, (1), 25.

Kennedy’s article (2017) challenges mental health stigma by promoting opportunities for people who want to take part in changing society’s stigma. Kennedy describes how the parents of James Holmes, the person who is responsible for the shooting in a Colorado movie theatre in 2012, are trying to make a difference and prevent similar acts of violence from occurring in the future.  Arleen and Bob Holmes continue to advocate for mental illness to be more openly talked about in society so parents can be more educated and aware in order to treat those that need it earlier on in life.  “By discussing mental illness early on, parents and educators can potentially prevent acts of violence by connecting teens with appropriate treatment” (Kennedy, 2017). This article informs readers that the Holmes’ will be attending the “System Failures of Mental Health Symposium” that focuses on the failures of mental health treatment in America and what to do about it.  Kennedy also provides information for those interested and a link to register and attend. The conference encourages anyone to participate—therefore, challenging in hopes to change mental health stigma.

Reference

Kennedy, K. (2017, September 12). Parents of mass shooter James Holmes to discuss mental health at Penn State Beaver. Retrieved from http://www.timesonline.com/timestoday/parents-of-mass-shooter-james-holmes-to-discuss-mental-health/article_df57b47a-974b-11e7-ba37-6fe1d7449818.html

 

The CEO, Ben Congleton (2017), said to CNN that caring for our brains should not be different than caring for our bodies and that mental health is just as important as physical health (Schmidt). Along with this article, CNN also posted a short video explaining some of the effects trauma has on not only changing the way people think, but the actual structure of our brains.

 

Mayo Clinic advises those with a mental illness to seek education about their condition and connect with others who have a mental illness in order to gain self-esteem and overcome self judgement (2017). This news article opened the door for many with a mental illness to find a sense of support and may have encouraged more people to prioritize their mental wellbeing and change the way they think about it. This article acknowledges the presence of stigma when it comes to mental health and attempts to change that by educating others about mental illness and providing an example of supportive work relationships.

 

References

Mayo Clinic. (2017). Mental health: Overcoming the stigma of mental illness. Mayo Clinic., Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mental-illness/in-depth/mental-health/art-20046477

 

Schmidt, R. (2017). When a woman took sick days for mental health, her email sparked a larger discussion. CNN. Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2017/07/12/health/mental-health-response-from-company-ceo-trnd/index.html

 

References:

American Psychological Association. (2017). Postpartum depression. Retrieved September 12, 2017, from http://www.apa.org/pi/women/resources/reports/postpartum-depression.aspx

 

Bodkin, H. (2017, September 4). ‘Bad mother’ stigma preventing women seeking help for postnatal depression. Retrieved September 12, 2017, from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/09/04/bad-mother-stigma-preventing-women-seeking-help-postnatal-depression/

 

There is further support in the link between mental health consequences and sleep deprevation, according to “Sleep and mental health” (2009), which stated, in [a] longitudinal study of teenagers … for example, sleep problems preceded anxiety disorders 27% of the time, while they preceded depression 69% of the time. It was determined that the link between mental health issues and sleep deprivation could be explained by its effects on the amygdala (Swaminathan, 2007). The amygdala is responsible for the processing of emotions, and with sleep deprivation and, “...seemed to be "rewired," coupling instead with a brain stem area called the locus coeruleus, which secretes norepinephrine, a precursor of the hormone adrenaline that triggers fight-or-flight type reactions” (Swaminathan, 2007). 

 

To further explore how insomnia affects mental health, a research was conducted at 26 universities, which included 3,700 student participants (Davis, 2017) (not all of these students experienced the mental health issues mentioned). These individuals were divided into two groups, where one group had six sessions of CBT aimed at diminishing insomnia, and the other group did not receive treatment at all. These participants reported their progress at 10 and 22 weeks (Davis, 2017). Following these assessments, “ insomnia in the CBT group was found to have fallen by almost half 10 weeks into the study, while both anxiety and depression dropped by a fifth, and paranoia and hallucinations fell by 25% and 30% respectively” (Davis, 2017). The researcher of the study concluded that insomnia diminished by 50% with the utilization of CBT (Davis, 2017). 

 

Even though not all of the students who participated in the study experienced positive psychiatric symptoms (hallucinations and delusions), or the other mental health issues mentioned, it was still concluded that CBT improved sleep, which therefore improved overall mental health. 

 

The author recognizes that mental health is stigmatized, even though it should not. He wants individuals to be open about seeking help in order to improve their symptoms. He suggests that since insomnia is not stigmatized, speaking about sleep issues may be a good start in addressing mental health issues. The author’s takeaway message challenges mental health as a stigma because he does not believe it is something to be ashamed of, but rather, addressed in order to solve the issue at hand. 

 

References

Davis, N. (2017, September 6). Lack of sleep could contribute to mental health problems, researchers reveal. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/sep/06/lack-of-sleep-could-contribute-to-mental-health-problems-researchers-reveal

 

Swaminathan, N. (2007, October 23). Can a lack of sleep cause psychiatric disorders? Retrieved from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/can-a-lack-of-sleep-cause/

 

 

Sleep and mental health. (2009, July). Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/sleep-and-mental-health

            This trauma-informed yoga has a meditative component that helps change the way individual’s react to triggers by providing skills targeted to take control of their physical and emotional symptoms that are prompted by certain triggers (Castaneda, 2017). It allows the participants to learn how to cope with their unwanted thoughts and memories and channel them through relaxation techniques. Ashtanga yoga has been shown to provide a positive outlook in survivors of complex childhood trauma by improving emotional regulation and body acceptance (LaChiusa, 2016). An article by Nolan (2016) provided a narrative review of studies to evaluate the efficacy of trauma-sensitive yoga as an treatment for women suffering with PTSD, particularly with intimate partner violence. It reported that this treatment reduced symptoms of PTSD and other co-occurring conditions, such as anxiety and depression by focusing on peaceful embodiment.

            The news article brought enlightenment to potential treatment for those who experience physical and emotional symptoms of trauma. The stigma that this population endures is the idea that they may not be accepted back into society and will forever have a label of “tainted” due to the lack of self-worth and shaming.  It challenges the stigma against trauma survivors by shedding light to ways that may help positively change the survivors’ perspective on their body acceptance, ultimately improving their self-worth and self-esteem. By taking control of their mind and how they react to triggers, it can enhance quality of life, reduce stigma against society, and love for themselves again. 

 

References

 

Castaneda, R. (2017). How yoga helps survivors of trauma. Retrieved from http://health.usnews.com/wellness/mind/articles/2017-03-29/how-yoga-helps-survivors-of-trauma 

 

LaChiusa, I. (2016). The transformation of Ashtanga yoga: Implicit memory, dreams, ad consciousness for survivors of complex trauma. Neuroquantology: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Neuroscience and Quantum Physics, (2), 255. doi:10.14704/np.2016.14.2.941

 

Nolan, C. (2016). Bending without breaking: A narrative review of trauma-sensitive yoga for women with PTSD. Complimentary Therapies in Clinical Practice, (24), 32-40.