While perhaps not written and developed with mental health in mind, the lyrics of "Alone" from renowned DJ Armin van Buuren can definitely relate to mental health and the need for increased awareness and support for these individuals. No one with a psychiatric disorder or mental illness should feel alone.
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As a follow-up to yesterday's post about Alyse who had been diagnosed with OCD when she was just 12 years old, here's her uplifting TED talk in which she gives some insight into OCD and expresses exactly why she's been so open about her mental health ... "Being open inspires creativity. Sharing my story allowed the people around me to react". Meet Alyse. Though she was diagnosed with OCD at age 12 she has refused to let the condition define her and instead has worked hard to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness. Even at 16 when she was interviewed for the article below she was already incredibly articulate and motivating, and encouraged others to talk openly about mental health. Now at 22, she has become a passionate mental health advocate and hopes one day to become a doctor. Truly an inspiration! "Meet an Adolescent Dedicated to Speaking Out" by Siri Agrell (Globe and Mail) Following Yale University student Rachel William's eye-opening essay about how she was forced to withdraw from Yale after experiencing suicidal thoughts and asking for help, many other students are now coming forward to tell their similar stories of how their colleges and universities, from Princeton University to the University of California - Santa Barbara, have been handling mental health. From kicking students out of campus housing with nowhere else to go, abruptly forcing them to withdraw from school, and even involuntarily committing students to psychiatric wards, it is clear that mental health is not taken lightly at many schools, but it often reaches the point that students end up feeling punished for seeking help. As one professor explains, "colleges are very accustomed to accommodating learning and physical disabilities, but they don't understand simple ways of accommodating mental health disabilities", which is creating a growing problem. The Newsweek article below is definitely worth a read, it not only shares a number of student experiences, but also discusses the rates of depression and suicidal ideation among university students, and explores possible reasons why these institutions may be so strict when it comes to mental health. It also highlights the legal battles that have ensued and shares some ideas to improve the current situation while still maintaining safety on campus. "How Colleges Flunk Mental Health" by Katie Baker (Newsweek) Have you been watching the Olympics lately, or preparing for an upcoming job interview or exam? If so, check out Dr. Katy Kamkar's recent blog post for Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, in which she discusses performance anxiety and offers advice in how to handle anxiety so it doesn't interfere with our cognitive function or performance. "Performing Under Pressure" by Katy Kamkar (CAMH) Physician and NYU School of Medicine Professor of Medicine and Population Health, Barron Lerner, describes how perceptions and beliefs about alcoholism have evolved over time, in addition to discussing the origins of Alcoholics Anonymous and its impact on alcohol abuse, in this informative NY Times article ... "Alcoholism Through A Doctor's Eyes" by Barron Lerner (NY Times) The Addiction Casebook is coming out next month! Find out more about it and consider adding it to your professional library. Recommended For: Medical clerks, residents and physicians in any specialty to hone their clinical skills and develop an approach to diagnosing and treating patients with substance use problems. The Guardian recently asked recovering heroin users to share their experiences so that others may have a better understanding of substance use and abuse. A selection of the responses are posted here: The Mind of a Heroin Addict: The Struggle to Get Clean and Stay Sober "I wish people would understand that addiction is a symptom. It's a symptom of unresolved underlying issues, or an attempt to self-medicate issues like depression or anxiety. My addiction was born out of an intense lack of self esteem and severe childhood trauma, and my continued drug use was simply terror at feeling exposed in a world that I felt I had no skills to negotiate. Heroin was a buffer between me and the harshness of humanity, and giving it up was the scariest thing I've ever done." An interesting article about a young boy who has been struggling with mental health concerns, and the need for more resources for and research on children and mental illness. Check out the CNN article and video Suicidal at 4: Young and Mentally Ill now! |
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Supporting and enhancing students' and health professionals' knowledge and understanding of mental health and psychiatry
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