Stigma Busting 2014 by Wednesday Journal

June 4, 2014

Stigma Busting shedding light on Mental Health

in t rodu ction

The persistent stigma of mental illness

ne in four people will be affected by mental illness, with 20 percent of youth ages 13-18 experiencing severe mental illness in any given year. The road to seeking help when you are faced with a potential mental health issue isn’t an easy one, but it’s a road that has been traveled by many families successfully. They have found that hope and resilience are keys to recovery, and yes, people can and do recover. The road to recovery is marked by challenges. Despite the prevalence of mental illness, stigma around mental health disorders persists, and is one of the most detrimental barriers to people seeking and ultimately getting the help they need. So, what can we do about it? We can talk about it openly just like you would if a family member experiences a health issue. We can get help for young children experiencing emotional issues as this may prevent escalating problems in the future. We can reach out to friends, neighbors and family members and ask about their treatment and listen to their story. We can do this until no one feels ashamed and no one feels alone, until those who need help are empowered to seek it. A solution is not only possible—it exists today. The following stories are examples of what can happen when we get beyond the stigma and address some of these issues head-on. Otherwise talented and highly capable individuals can be crippled by mental illness—especially when help isn’t sought. These courageous people are shining examples of the power of seeking help; shining a light on their journey toward recovery.

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Loving Julia Even a family steeped in mental health care, faces challenges within By DEB QUANTOCK McCAREY

DAVID PIERINI/Staff Photographer

the way back: Julia Haptonstahl and her family have spent a decade joined in efforts to understand issues of mental illness.

Contributing Reporter

o meet Julia Haptonstahl, 26, is to begin to understand what makes this petite and resilient, self-advocating and artistic, athletic redhead tick. In her mid teens, the young woman who fell in love with the art form of dance at age 2, says her life was interrupted by a diagnosis of depression, although she said there were signs in play prior to that. Now, more than a decade in, the professional modern ballet dancer turned certified Pilates instructor is healthy and here, thanks in part to the love and support she has from her parents, Michele and Jim Haptonstahl, and sister Elizabeth. “I guess when you are a teenager, all these hormones are changing and I didn’t really know what was going on,” says Julia. Between the ages of 15 to nearly 20, Julia’s depression was mis-diagnosed and mis-medicated. From its onset, Julia’s mom, Michele, a clinical social worker who does psychotherapy with adults, says that she suspected that Julia was dealing with bipolar disorder, not unipolar depression, and questioned Julia’s psychiatrist about prescribing SSRIs [Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors] to treat her. Even so, early on, at age 15, Julia did experience one of the side effects of an SSRI medication in teenagers. She attempted suicide. See LOVING JULIA on Page 4

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Wednesday Journal, June 4, 2014

Healthy body, healthy mind

Exploring the links between mental and physical wellbeing By DEB QUANTOCK McCAREY

Contributing Reporter

t the end of first grade, Jan Tendick began getting emails from her daughter Kaiah’s teacher, informing her that the 7-year-old was losing focus and having crying episodes at school. Meanwhile on the homefront, at night Kaiah had begun seeking self-comfort by climbing into bed with Tendick, which was new, habitual and a probable sign that something deeper was going on with her daughter, says the 62-year-old retired occupational therapist. Tendick, a biological mother of two children, now is raising three adopted daughters, ages 8 to 21, including Kaiah, as well as fostering a fourth little girl. All of her children possess a range of chronic health issues, that are being addressed by the health providers at the Infant Welfare Society Children’s Clinic in Oak Park, she says, where medical, dental and mental health services co-exist. However, last year, at the time of this crisis, Tendick says she was a board member of the nonprofit, and “didn’t want other people to know that Kaiah was sleeping with me every night,” she says. “I knew that there was a series of things causing her change in behavior, and I finally sought out help out of sheer desperation,” she says. Kaiah underwent a mental health assessment last fall, and then started one-on-one counseling sessions with the clinic’s child therapist. Kaiah, now 8, has learned how to positively modify her behaviors. “When we would ask her why do you have trouble sleep-

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STigma BUSTING When to seek help for your child As parents we are usually the first to recognize our child is having problems either at home, at school or both. The decision to seek professional help can be difficult. The first step is to gently try to talk to your child. An honest open discussion about feelings can often help. These emotions or behaviors may resolve themselves. If problems persist for longer than two months your child should be assessed by their primary care physician and/or a trained mental health professional. Early assessment and intervention can prevent further suffering, and can stop problems from getting worse. Following are a few signs which may indicate that a mental health assessment by a trained mental health professional could be helpful. DAVID PIERINI/Staff Photographer

Learning early: Social worker Judy Crivolio and Kaiah Tendrick, 8, demonstrate play therapy at The IWS Children’s Clinic on Lake Street. ing, she couldn’t even think of the words,” Tendick says. “That is why the play and art aspect of the therapy worked really well for her.”

Wake up call Disruptive and disorganized sleep patterns in children, says Colette Lueck, managing director of the Children’s Health Partnership, is a typical way that young children demonstrate distress. “Sometimes it is connected to a current issue that they are anxious about, or something that happened long ago, and they are suddenly feeling that they are in a safe enough environment that now they can deal with their feelings about it,” says Lueck, who is also an Oak Park village trustee. “So, the sleep disorder can occur way after the precipitating event, and it is not an uncommon pattern at all.” Lueck adds that anytime a parent has a concern about their child, they need to seek out a mental health professional to get an assessment. “Maybe it is something that is transitional and will work its way out…but maybe it isn’t,” she says. “A good professional will help the parents figure that out and decide what the best course of action is for that particular child.” Lueck adds that a parent not seeking out help because of the stigma surrounding mental illness is not uncommon either, particularly in a community such as Oak Park where parents are “so focused on child achievement, and if your child is not above average, it can be very isolating, and very difficult to feel comfortable about talking about the struggles you are having,” she says. But, talking to other parents who are struggling with some of the same kinds of concerns, whether that is around autism, or mental health issues, or other developmental impacts, can be important and helpful in terms of de-isolation and support. “Stigma is a major reason that some kids don’t get any treatment, or even get their mental health issues addressed because no one wants to admit that they have a mental health issue because there is so much stigma attached to it,” says Lueck.

Signs Infant and toddlers (birth to three years) Feeding or sleeping problems Frequently bites or hits others with no provocation Anxious and clingy attachment to care giver No stranger anxiety; indiscriminate attachment Sad facial expression, avoids eye contact Uncomfortable when held Too easily upset and difficult to soothe Preschoolers (3-5 year old) Engages in compulsive behaviors, head banging Throws wild, despairing tantrums Withdrawn: shows little interest in social interaction Displays repeated aggressive or impulsive behavior Difficulty playing with others Little or no communication; lack of language Loss of earlier developmental achievements Younger children (5-10 years of age) Poor grades in school despite trying very hard Severe worry or anxiety, as shown by regular refusal to go to school, go to sleep or take part in activities that are normal for the child’s age Frequent physical complaints Hyperactivity; fidgeting; constant movement beyond regular play Persistent nightmares Persistent disobedience or aggression (longer than 6 months) Frequent, unexplainable temper tantrums Threatens to harm or kill oneself Adolescents and teens Marked decline in school performance Inability to cope with problems and daily activities Marked changes in sleeping and/or eating habits Extreme difficulties in concentrating that get in the way at school or at home Depression shown by sustained, prolonged negative mood and attitude Severe mood swings Strong worries or anxieties that get in the way of daily life, such as at school or socializing Repeated use of alcohol and/or drugs Threats of self-harm or harm to others Persistent nightmares Frequent outbursts of anger, aggression

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STigma BUSTING

Standing up to stigma

Wednesday Journal, June 4, 2014

Kicking it: Pooja Nagpal, Jeffrey Shapiro and Peter Biggs Jr. DAVID PIERINI/Staff Photographer

By DEB QUANTOCK McCAREY

Contributing Reporter

ooja Nagpal, 28, a Peer Recovery Specialist at Riveredge Hospital in Forest Park, says that as a young adult she was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Major Depressive Disorder. In April, the aspiring comic learned first hand how writ- the hospital all the time. It’s just not true. Nagpal: Stigma is directly equated to harsh judgment on ing and performing jokes about the foibles of living with a menyour personality, a lack of understanding, and even a lack tal illness can aid her as she pursues a life of ongoing recovery. Recently Nagpal was one of five from the National Alli- of interest in understanding, because it is an easy way to ance on Mental Illness (NAMI) mental health participants say “you’re weird, get away.” Give me an example. to take a multi-month stand up comedy training with David Briggs: When the mother of a girl I was seeing at the time Granirer, the founder of Stand Up for Mental Health, and who this year was tapped to be the emcee at NAMI’s annual heard the story about the gentleman (who was diagnosed as having bipolar diagnosis) having a (psychotic break) on a spring fundraiser, Nagpal says. In breaking stigma, says Granirer, who is living with de- plane, she said to her daughter “you have to stay away from pression himself, “The idea is that laughing at our setbacks him forever, he’s crazy and he’s going to hurt you.” It’s those people who jump to the conclusion that raises us above them. It makes people go you are going to harm somebody that from despair to hope, and hope is crucial to is hurtful, especially when you are doanyone struggling with adversity. Studies ing all your best, taking your meds, goprove that hopeful people are more resilient Thrive Counseling Center and Oak Park ing to meetings, seeing a therapist. and also tend to live longer, healthier lives,” and River Forest High School are partners Shapiro: One of the stereotypes is he writes on his website, http://standupforto insure emotional support for students. that mental illness is equated with mentalhealth.com, where videos of him in Through our collaboration, Thrive has four mental retardation, that people are action can be viewed. Youth Therapists, one Substance Abuse less intelligent and less capable in At the event, in front of about 300 people, Preventionist and one Student Advocate functioning and fulfilling daily expecNagpal joked that “When I got depressed, I working as part of the Community Suptations in life or that there is no such lost 10 to 15 pounds. After all, when you’re port Service Program. Thrive’s staff prothing as recovery. That’s not true bedepressed who needs Jenny Craig. Every vide student assessments, interventions, cause I feel like I’m a living example of time I need to lose weight I just watch ‘The referral and linkage services between someone who’s come a long way. Bachelor’ and trigger a major depression.” the school district and the communiNagpal: In general I have been told you So, on a cool spring day in Oak Park, Nagpal ties of Oak Park and River Forest. Youth don’t have to take medication to get betjoined Jeffrey Shapiro, 34, a Peer Recovery SpeTherapists run 14 ongoing group therapy ter, get your act together, you know, it cialist at Thrive Counseling Center who is livsessions at the high school in addition to could be a lot worse…or what’s your deal, ing with schizophrenia, and Peter Briggs, 43, a helping student’s on an individual basis. you’re a bright person let’s just get over mental health advocate living with bipolar I disthis and move on. So, my experience has order to share their personal experiences dealbeen mostly subtle forms of judgment. ing with the issue of stigma over a cup of joe.

Thrive at OPRF

What is stigma to you? Briggs: For me, it hurts that people think you’re crazy, but

if they don’t accept that you do have something going on, that’s almost harder. Shapiro: I’ve come across some stigma in the past, including outright discrimination. There are all sorts of stereotypes of what schizophrenics, or what a mentally ill person, would be doing… such as that a person may become violent, may not be intelligent, and that those individuals belong in

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Any all-around advice? Briggs: As soon as you accept that you have a mental illness,

you can become so much more empowered as a person. Accept that you take anti-depressants, and might need more sleep than the average person. I have learned not to judge anybody with or without mental illness. If you can have relationships where nobody is judging each other, then doors open up for you and relationships will get stronger. Shapiro: The heart of stigma and discrimination, too, are thapeo-

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ple aren’t educated about certain subjects so they assume something about that individual. My father has been incredible for me. He recognized that I have a sickness. He’s watched me go through the stages, and that’s what has helped me get to where I’m at now. Nagpal: My dad took one of NAMI’s Family-to-Family classes, and that changed our relationship, because after that he communicates with me differently. My goal one day is to be able to overcome my own fears and share that [diagnosis of major depression] with my extended Indian family. That is hard for me because that is a whole different culture and dynamic beast to tackle. But you know, baby steps.

Ending the silence In the health classes at Percy Julian Middle School, as well as Oak Park and River Forest, Fenwick and Trinity high schools, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) “Ending the Silence” programming is being taught, says Michelle Foskett, education coordinator at NAMI Metro Suburban. It is a free, 50-minute educational presentation that teaches students about the signs and symptoms of mental illness and the importance of early detection and treatment. The class is co-presented by young adults who are trained to share the story of their own mental illness and recovery. The presentation’s message of empathy and hope encourages students to actively care for themselves and for their peers, whether by reaching out for help, encouraging a friend or family member to seek help or by reducing stigma. Contact with a positive role model, in the form of the young adult presenters, can powerfully change their views of a common but stigmatized life experience. The discussion portion gives students a rare opportunity to ask questions and learn personal truths about mental illness. The supplemental class is offered in health, science or psychology classes by local teachers. Foskett adds that approximately 20 percent of youth ages 13 to 18 experience mental illness in any given year. About 50 percent of adults with mental illness reported that symptoms began by age 14 and 75 percent by age 24. “In real terms, at NAMI we believe the number one reason people living with a mental illness don’t get help is stigma, and we hope that this programming can help to address that in teens by exposing them to education about mental illness, and the resources that are available to help,” she says.

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Wednesday Journal, June 4, 2014

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STigma BUSTING

Loving Julia

Continued from page 1

“I am still

Four years later, says Michele, while still taking SSRI’s it happened again after Julia’s psychiatrist told Michele, “bipolar is the diagnosis of the decade and a trendy diagnosis for a kid.” “The psychiatrist increased a different medication (another SSRI), believing that the dosage she was on was inadequate in treating what he thought was a unipolar depression [and] the increase, unfortunately, resulted in kindling stronger suicidal thoughts and a suicidal attempt,” Michele says. That hospitalization, though, resulted in a new psychiatrist, one that made the correct diagnosis, Type II bipolar disorder and put her on mood stabilizers, which are the correct meds for now, Julia says. However, often life just happens, and again, Julia says hers took a turn for the worse when at age 23 she developed Conversion Disorder, a rare and debilitating psycho-neurological illness. She now manages and lives with that, as well. “Stress can really mess up your body, especially if you are hiding in your head, and you don’t realize it,” says Julia, who also enjoys playing and performing music. “I am still struggling now because there is always an up and down to this, and now I am sort of in the middle.”

struggling now because there is always an up and down to this, and now I am sort of in the middle.” Julia Haptonstahl

DAVID PIERINI/Staff Photographer

Family ties On a Sunday afternoon, in their Oak Park living room, Michele and Jim are sharing how they had dreams about all the clean and clear, unchallenging normal things they would face raising two girls. “Obviously, with both of us working in our careers with people who need support, my wife in the mental health profession, and myself with people with developmental disabilities, some of whom have mental health challenges, if this could happen to anybody, I guess you could say that we are equipped for this,” says Jim, an executive VP at United Cerebral Palsy Seguin of Greater Chicago. “But, when it is your own child, it’s a whole different ballgame, and we were devastated at first, and had to really pick up the pieces and be strong together as a nuclear family, because if nothing else, having a good, strong and healthy, loving relationship with each other made all the difference.” Their family life took on a life of its own, and because of the intensity of Julia’s journey with depression, as a family unit, they have become insular and isolated from friends, in part related to the misinformation and stigma surrounding mental illness, and the people who are living with it. “I think part of it is that we don’t want to be burdening other people with the depth of the challenges that we face – believe me Julia is brave. She has worked hard, harder than I could ever imagine, given the challenges in her life that she is facing and she is doing it,” says Jim, likening mental illness to an invisible disability that people still don’t see or

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connections: Julia Haptonstahl, left, often turned to her sister, Elizabeth, during a crisis with her bi polar disorder. understand. And, still, Michele emphasizes, they have another daughter, Elizabeth, who has not been forgotten, but because of the severity of the situation has become a “silent sufferer,” in regards to her needs. “I don’t even quite understand it yet what has been happening…but I think in terms of how she has affected me, if anything, it is the absence of having a sister at times, because I feel like she has had her own struggles, and I have my own struggles, and what was going on with each of us was independent from the other for a lot of our adolescence, the period when we were teens,” says Elizabeth, 23, a recent University of Illinois at Chicago grad, who now works at PAWS Chicago, a nonprofit animal rescue organization. Now that she is moving forward and working again, and on the proper meds, Julia says that teaching Pilates makes her body and mind feel much healthier and stable. She owns a dog, rents an apartment in Oak Park, has a great job, and is willing to walk through her life, as is. “Sometimes when I think I just can’t do it anymore, I remember that I have really great parents, and a sister, a best girlfriend, and this amazing boyfriend who has come into my life, and is staying around,” says Julia. “Thinking about the people who love me, helps me get out of my head a little bit, and keep moving on.”

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Family Resources

Mental illnesses can affect persons of any age, race, religion or income. Mental illnesses are not the result of personal weakness, lack of character or poor upbringing. Mental illnesses are treatable but sometimes for a family member, finding resources and support can be difficult. n Community Mental Health Board of Oak Park Township Resource Guide Youth and Family Behavioral Health Resource Guide www.oakpark.il.networkofcare. org n IWS Children’s Clinic www.childrenscliniciws.org 708-848-0528 n NAMI Metro Suburban www.namimetsub.org 708-524-2582 n NAMI Family Support Group

7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month 137 N. Oak Park Ave. Oak Park 3rd floor conference room n NAMI Parent Support Group 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., 3rd Wednesday of every month 708-524-2582 for new location n Parenthesis Family Center www.parenthesis-info.org 708-848-2227 n Thrive Counseling Center www.thrivecc.org 708-383-7500