Anxiety and Depression

Reinterpreting Mental Illness Reinterpreting Mental Illness Reinterpreting Mental Illness

Reinterpreting Mental Illness Reinterpreting Mental Illness Reinterpreting Mental Illness

Recent legislative changes have increased the conversation surrounding mental health, prompting the realization that there is a full spectrum when it comes to mental illnesses, and there is more to it than meets the eye.

STORY AND LAYOUT BY REPORTERS TARA JUNGDEN AND TAYLOR SPIES P P President Barack Obama recently announced a series of executive actions which included the allocation of $500 million toward treating mental AND MANAGING EDITOR RACHEL ERGOVICH illness. While this proposal was aimed at reducing gun violence in America, it has much larger implications when it comes to treating those suffering from some form of mental illness, specifically people suffering from depression and anxiety. Story continued on Page 16

Story continued from Page 15... adolescents with diagnosable depression are not beginning of the school year. Kilo said that in the He didn’t feel like himself. He was usually an outgoing person, but now he felt anxiety getting treatment. Without treatment, mood disorders like depression will worsen, especially past five to 10 years she has noticed a significant increase in teenagers receiving treatment at the when socializing. He was making assumptions when those afflicted try to take matters into their hospital with anxiety and depression. And she of things that weren’t true. He slept all the time. own hands. believes the amount will continue to steadily His grades were slipping. He struggled to even This past year, junior Kaitlyn Smith was increase. go to school on a daily basis and was unable to cope with what he was feeling. He wasn’t diagnosed with major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder and “Teens are seeking their identity. himself. This was senior Alex Davenport’s life beginning his sophomore year at Rockhurst generalized anxiety disorder. She said the road to diagnosis can be tough going. That’s kind of their goal during these years, and they are a little more High School. He was displaying symptoms of depression, but he wasn’t sure what he was feeling. He didn’t think he needed to talk “More than the amount that are diagnosed are probably dealing with depression in some type of susceptible to emotional reactivity.” -Linda Blasdel, psychology teacher to anybody. It wasn’t until his mother, Jody form,” Smith said. “Especially Davenport pieced together the symptoms in the high school age group [depression] can “The pressures of having to do well in and contacted Davenport’s pediatrician and definitely be intense because that’s when you school, and be on all forms of social media, and counselor from previous ADHD testing at tend to be finding yourself and questioning who live up to the expectations of parents has really Children’s Mercy that they figured out what you are. That can lead to a lot of problems and affected youth,” Kilo said. “Because so much prescriptions he should start taking. confusion.” of the pressure and anxiety afflicted teens feel

“That was the first step, me reaching out to Psychology teacher Linda Blasdel also is caused by parents and their expectations, the doctors and them being very responsive,” reiterated that this period in life is a difficult teens are reluctant to share their symptoms and Jody said. “I don’t know that everyone could time. worries with their families.” have gotten that quick response.” “Teens are seeking their identity. That’s kind According to the Center for Disease Control,

According to the 2015 Child Mind Institute of their goal during these years, and they are a in 2013, 17 percent of students in the U.S. Children’s Mental Health Report, 60 percent of little more susceptible to emotional reactivity,” seriously considered attempting suicide. Eight Blasdel said. percent of students who actually attempted, had Sore muscles Sore muscles According to Michele Kilo, a Sion Grade School parent and Division Director of Developmental and Behavioral Sciences at Children’s Mercy Hospital, there have been depression serving as a main source of fuel and anxiety co-sponsoring these violent behaviors. Dr. Erin Donnelly, clinical psychologist and Sion alumna, said that symptoms of anxiety and focusing Trouble focusing Trouble focusing 10 successful suicides amongst teens in Kansas City alone since the Change in eating habits Change in eating habits depression often go hand in hand, and the most effective part of treatment is the recognition of the symptoms. “They’re kind of like best friends,” Donnelly said. Smith has attended numerous forms of therapy in varying regularity since the time of Panic attacks Panic attacks Restlessness Restlessness her diagnosis. Her experiences have included family therapy, group therapy, and one-on-one sessions. “Therapy, for me, has always worked,” Smith said. “Finding the right medications really helped me to start feeling better and gaining control, but Fatigue Fatigue Lack of interest Lack of interest ? I think therapy definitely helped the most.” While experts at the Anxiety and Depression Association of America say they are not sure exactly what causes anxiety and bipolar disorders, they say genetics, brain biochemistry, an overactive fight-flight response, stressful life circumstances and learned behavior all contribute. Davenport returned to Rockhurst High School, but before his senior year decided that while he was there it was too difficult for him to handle his depression. He then transferred to Center High School, but while there he still experienced too much negativity. He then switched to Center Alternative High School where he got his GED and received a high school diploma. Shortly after, he was approached with the idea of participating in a peer modelling program in which he tutors and guides children from bad backgrounds. Through this program Davenport has been able to help these kids believe in themselves and realize that they can become the Symptoms of depression and anxiety best people they can be. His own perspective on life has helped him give the kids insight on the world and has helped him better relate to them. (Illustration by Aubrey Makar) This program has helped Davenport not only to

have a different view of the people around him, making a big difference.” officers to First Lady Michelle Obama. but it has also helped him in his personal growth. According to a 2009 National Alliance on Around 2 million people with mental illness

“It has helped me become a lot closer to Mental Illness study which graded each state’s end up in jail, which means that there are 10 myself because I’m helping someone else, and I’m performance when it came to public mental times more mentally ill people in jail than there helping them to live life to the fullest,” Davenport health services, the state of Missouri was given a are receiving psychiatric treatment, according to said. C, while Kansas received a D. The United States’ NAMI. While the Crisis Intervention training

For high school students dealing with average grade was a D. No state earned a grade initiative aims to help some of these people these mental illnesses, schoolwork can often be higher than a B. receive treatment, another NAMI study found neglected as their mental issues become more Countries like Norway and Sweden have that only 15 percent of law enforcement agencies pervasive. Whether it be due to a lack of ability incorporated treatment of mental in the United States have this to focus on a given assignment or a prolonged absence from class, grades and attendance are usually negatively affected. School requirements illness into their nationalized health care system. According to the Commonwealth Fund’s Resources Resources Resources program. There are large variances to the manner in which different and policies regarding students with mental 2014 International Profile of if you suspect that parts of the world recognize illness vary school-to-school and state-to-state. “Sion has been absolutely great. I was Health Care Systems, Norway has implemented preventative you or someone and treat mental illnesses, with some being more successful hospitalized two times, so I fell back by probably services directed toward children you know needs than others, but Kilo says that a month, but there have been no penalties. I’m not in trouble for not coming to school because and adolescents through the school system. Both countries help with anxiety or across the world there is still a long way to go in the treatment they recognize mental illness as an actual illness, offer treatment for mental illness depression... of mental health. so all the days I’ve missed have been excused,” through general practitioners “As a country we need Smith said. “Mrs. Ellwanger who is my counselor has been especially great.” who can later refer patients to hospitals with specialized Children’s Mercy to be less judgemental, and be aware that it’s a legitimate

The Sion community, specifically the psychiatric care. Kansas Developmental disease,” Kilo said. counselors, have been attentive to the struggles “In the United States there’s and Behavioral Jody believes that her and needs of the student body. Counsellor and Accommodations Coordinator Nancy Stevens a lot more of an emphasis based on diagnosis and whether or not 5520 College Blvd. Suite 425, Sciences Clinic son has experienced dramatic personal growth in the past and counselor Karen Phillips plan to host a parent workshop to discuss stress management, people fit in a box rather than the services and support that they Overland Park, Kansas few months which includes a positive change in how he after they received a suggestion from the need,” Donnelly said. “I think that understands the world and how Mother’s Club. other countries tend to provide he understands himself. She “I hope that we can give information and provide them with suggestions. So much of it is just awareness,” Stevens said. “If we can be aware, more of a holistic care.” There are large variances to the manner in which different Kansas City Center for Anxiety Treatment attributes that growth to his practice of praying daily, as well as an increase in the healthy then that helps us do a better job at responding parts of the world recognize 10555 Marty St. Suite 100 choices he makes. to what we experience or what our daughters and treat mental illnesses, with Overland Park, Kansas “He understands that experience.” some being more successful than physical activity and keeping

While America may not have the strongest others. But Kilo says that across his body healthy helps keep him or most advanced set of policies regarding recognition and treatment of mental illness, the world there is still a long way to go in the treatment of mental Midwest Anxiety emotionally healthy as well,” Jody said. Obama’s proposal has brought mental illness to health. Treatment Center Davenport’s experiences the attention of our nation. The National Council for 10880 Benson Drive #2339 after being diagnosed with

The impending plan, according to Yahoo Behavioral Health announced Overland Park, Kansas anxiety and depression have News, should mean there will be better access for a campaign to train 1 million ultimately helped him become anyone suffering from mental illness, especially Americans in Mental Health First more like himself, more like those in low-income, high-crime areas whose Aid. According to their press the person he wants to be. It facilities are usually the most underfunded. release, the goal of the eight-hour Crisis Call Center has given him a more positive This will also mean that more resources will be course is to teach people how to 800-784-2433 outlook on the world that he allocated to state-run facilities. recognize when somebody might hopes everyone can have.

“There has been an increase in poverty rates, be experiencing a mental health “Nothing can break you and an increase in number of people struggling problem and to encourage that down. That’s what everyone with mental illness while at the same time there has been no increase in availability of treatment,” Kilo said. “By creating legislation that is going to positively affect mental health care, Obama is person to seek help. Currently over 500,000 people have completed the course, from law enforcement National Hopeline Network 800-784-2433 needs to realize,” Davenport said. “Nothing can affect you. Only you can affect you.”