In this article, the author shares two stories of college athletes from the US and their experiences in dealing with severe mental illnesses that either stemmed from or were exacerbated by their sport. They discuss some of the contributing factors to mental illness in college athletics and barriers to identification and care including, coaching staff not being educated about emotional and mental health, the significant impact of injuries, high pressures and immense stakes to perform well, and the lack of mental health professionals on staff in university athletic departments. The article also shares opinions from experts who argue for change and suggest ways to approach and better this issue, such as enhanced screening in pre-season, and increased education and awareness of all who are involved in training, guiding, and supporting these athletes.
As a follow-up to previous posts on both mental health issues in university, as well as depression and anxiety in sports such as major junior hockey leagues, the eye-opening article, "When College Athletes Face Depression", takes a look at mental health issues among athletes in college.
In this article, the author shares two stories of college athletes from the US and their experiences in dealing with severe mental illnesses that either stemmed from or were exacerbated by their sport. They discuss some of the contributing factors to mental illness in college athletics and barriers to identification and care including, coaching staff not being educated about emotional and mental health, the significant impact of injuries, high pressures and immense stakes to perform well, and the lack of mental health professionals on staff in university athletic departments. The article also shares opinions from experts who argue for change and suggest ways to approach and better this issue, such as enhanced screening in pre-season, and increased education and awareness of all who are involved in training, guiding, and supporting these athletes.
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Drawing From Life is a "short documentary [that] follows a group therapy workshop for people who have attempted suicide more than once. A hybrid of vérité and animation, the film is a candid portrayal of 12 people who together, for 20 weeks, take on their fears, their behaviours and their ghosts to move towards life and away from suicide" (www.nfb.ca). These individuals let us in on the most intimate and emotionally charged exchanges with each other, exposing us to tragic stories of self-destruction and allowing us to get a glimpse of the deep pain and sadness rooted in each of them that leads to the questioning of life. Drawing From Life however, is also an uplifting documentary as we see how powerful talking can be, how important connections and support actually are, and most especially over the course of the film we see how hope can grow and how meaning and light can be found in life.
In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction, is a highly acclaimed book written by Dr. Gabor Mate who not only is a bestselling author, but is also a physician who has been working for years in "Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside with patients challenged by hard-core drug addiction, mental illness and HIV, including at Vancouver’s Supervised Injection Site" (drgabormate.com). In his latest book, Dr. Mate shares with readers stories of patients he has worked with to explain the forces behind and factors leading to addiction, all the while demonstrating empathy and compassion for these individuals. Dr. Mate challenges society to think differently about this patient population, particularly to regard them without judgment and to see these individuals as human. More than that though, Dr. Mate discusses how currently society is failing when it comes to dealing with addictions, and exquisitely argues for a more progressive approach to and policy for supporting those with substance use issues. “Not every story has a happy ending, ... but the discoveries of science, the teachings of the heart, and the revelations of the soul all assure us that no human being is ever beyond redemption. The possibility of renewal exists so long as life exists. How to support that possibility in others and in ourselves is the ultimate question” (Dr. Gabor Mate - In The Realm of Hungry Ghosts). Recommended For: Those interested in addictions, and any future physician or healthcare professional who is likely to encounter patients with substance use problems. Methamphetamine addiction is arguably one of the most devastating substance use disorders (as can be seen by the before and after pictures here from CBS news). Individuals who use meth build up tolerance very quickly, leading them to use more and more of the drug to achieve the desired effect. Not only are these individuals at risk for overdose, negative psychosocial effects, and health problems such as 'meth mouth', weight loss, and insomnia, but with long-term use individuals can develop "amphetamine psychosis". The psychosis is characterized by hallucinations and delusions (including the feeling of bugs crawling under the skin that leads to skin-picking), as well as paranoia and bizarre behaviour. For more information on methamphetamine addiction, visit CAMH's website page on Methamphetamines. Put your knowledge and skills to the test with the case of a patient who presents with sudden left-sided weakness and facial droop, but with a workup that shows no organic cause. Can you make the diagnosis or come up with a treatment plan? "Weakness and Facial Droop: Is It A Stroke?" by Nathaniel Goodrich and Ashish Sharma (Current Psychiatry) As some may or may not know, Passion Pit's frontman Michael Angelakos, was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when he was 18. He has experienced both manic episodes and depressive ones that led to suicidal ideation and attempts to kill himself, and has a few times been hospitalized and had to cancel shows during the group's tour to take time for his own mental and emotional wellbeing. "All of those emotions -- the heartache and confusion of mental illness, as well as the comfort and security of someone that understands -- are present on Gossamer (Billboard.com)", Passion Pit's album that was released back in 2012. While a number of the songs reflect Angelakos' struggles, such as 'Where We Belong', the song 'I'll Be Alright' (see below) also sheds some light on Angelakos' experiences, as well the support he received from his fiancée and the internal struggle he faced knowing his condition was painful for her to witness. For more about Passion Pit and Michael Angelakos, check out an interview with him here, where he opens up about his mental health, his experiences being manic and of being hospitalized, and in which he encourages more candid discussions about mental illness ... "I started drinking about one and a half liters of expensive gin a day. It was a way to rein in the mania—but when you are manic, you don’t want it turned off and you don’t know that anything is wrong. It’s like asking someone that has never seen a mirror before to describe what they look like. They just don’t have any perspective. You’re in it. You’re there. That’s it." "I don't think people talk about mental illness a lot, but they need to know it's OK to talk about how they are feeling. People are afraid of telling the truth because they think it's going to hurt everyone around them. I've kept so much inside that I've literally lost it. I wish more people would get help when they feel like they need it—not just to look to medicine, but to the support of others." From closer to home, an international student from the University of Toronto, shares their struggle in dealing with mental health issues while away at school. This time stigma wasn't the biggest issue, rather the student discusses having to cope with long wait times for treatment, and a lack of long-term care options that are both accessible as well as affordable for students. "One Student's Struggle With Mental Health Services" by Karen Zhou (The Varsity) If you've been following the news in the last few weeks you may recall that 20 year old OHL player Terry Trafford had gone missing after being dismissed from his team the Saginaw Spirit. This past Tuesday his body had been found and it was determined that he had died by self-inflicted asphyxiation. While an incredibly heart-breaking tragedy, Trafford's death has now shed light on the issue of mental health in high pressure sports leagues such as the OHL and other major junior hockey leagues. The two articles below both go into this issue in detail, highlighting the "culture of toughness", as well as delving into how hiding weakness or vulnerability is the norm in these leagues, and how when dreams are on the line emotions can run high and mental health issues can be prevalent. More than that though, they push for change and call for more support for mental health within the OHL, in addition to addressing the stigma of mental illness in sports. "Over 90% of OHL players will never reach the NHL —the ultimate dream. With this realization, comes a feeling of sadness. Some experience this feeling in manageable doses, while others experience a much deeper pain. Knowing this reality, doesn’t it make sense that the OHL should signify promoting and supporting mental health as a major priority in their mandate?" "What the Tragic Death of Terry Trafford Has Taught Us" by Jamie McKiven "Terry Trafford's Tragic Death Must Prompt OHL to Evaluate Mental Health Strategy" by Neate Sager (Yahoo) Falling Into The Fire: A Psychiatrist's Encounters With The Mind In Crisis was released this past August, and was written by assistant professor of psychiatry at Brown University and practicing psychiatrist Dr. Christine Montross. In her book, Dr. Montross shares real life cases she has been privy to, which would be of interest to any budding psychiatrist or mental health worker, or even those curious to know more about life in psychiatry and work in the mental health field. However, Dr. Montross's book is not just a collection of stories from her practice, rather through each patient's experience with a psychiatric disorder and their journey through the healthcare system, Dr. Montross explores the ethics of mental healthcare and our current strategies for diagnosis, treatment and recovery, which is one area all of us in the medical profession could spend a little more time thinking about. Recommended For: Anyone interested in the field of psychiatry, as well as any future physicians who want to gain a better understanding of what it's like to interact and treat patients with a psychiatric condition, develop more awareness of how medical staff relate to these patients and can affect the recovery process, and get a physician's firsthand perspective into the sometimes confusing and challenging area of ethics in healthcare. |
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Supporting and enhancing students' and health professionals' knowledge and understanding of mental health and psychiatry
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