Removing stigma of youth mental illness focus of presentation

0
1241
Dr. Jeffrey Kerber of UnityPoint Health addresses the audience at Tuesday's program on mental health issues among youth at the Perry Performing Arts Center. Grandview University sophomore Carmen McDermott and Grandview graduate student Alex Shrewsberry joined Kerber by sharing with those gathered some of their own personal experiences.

A small but interested audience gathered Tuesday at the Perry Performing Arts Center to hear a trio of speakers address mental health issues among youth, in particular those signs indicating a potential attempt at suicide might be imminent.

“There was a time when people did not want to discuss youth suicide, and hopefully that is changing,” Dr. Jeffrey Kerber said. “Many people are, understandably, uncomfortable discussing the topic or simply do not know how best to address the issue. Hopefully we can help.”

Kerber is clinical and program administrator for UnityPoint Health’s Student Assistance Program that coordinates with the Des Moines Public School System. He and two colleagues made a presentation Aug. 18 before 140 educators from the Perry Community School District.

These numbers -- stark as they are -- speak for themselves.
These numbers — stark as they are — speak for themselves.

On this visit, Kerber was joined by Grandview University graduate student Alex Shrewsberry and sophomore Carmen McDermott, both of whom spoke of their personal experiences with mental health issues, including suicidal tendencies and the need for ongoing medication.

“I have spoken at seminars and gatherings all over the country with a primary goal of trying to take away the stigma that still surrounds mental health issues, especially when youth are involved,” Shrewsberry said. “The first step is to understand that there is nothing ‘wrong’ or ‘bad’ about someone with a mental health issue … it is a disease, an illness, and needs to be treated like one.”

Kerber said teachers and school officials are often the first to notice signs of trouble.

“When they see acute depression, a sudden change in behavior, an inability to focus, sudden mood swings — those can be signs of trouble,” he said. “What is important that everyone, from family to friends, to teachers, whoever, understands that not saying something, that ‘turning the blind eye,’ so to speak, can have terrible consequences.

“Too often people will think, ‘Oh, this is just a teenage thing’ or ‘This is just something they are going through’ and not act, only to realize, too late, that all the signs were there,” Kerber added. “Sometimes all it takes is that one person, the one individual, who cared enough to discuss the issue, which makes all the difference.”

Accute Childhood Experiences (ACE) have been shown to be reliable indicators of possible mental health issues, with any ill effects often not revealing themselves for years.
Accute Childhood Experiences (ACE) have been shown to be reliable indicators of possible mental health issues, with any ill effects often not revealing themselves for years. Examples include an alcoholic or drug-addicted parent, mental/physical abuse, neglect, sudden loss of a loved one and many others factors.

McDermott echoed those comments, recalling how she underwent a childhood filled with “endless medical tests trying to determine what was wrong” because her mother refused to accept the possibility that the problem was, in fact, a mental health issue.

“Do not be afraid to intrude if you have to,” she said. “Some people will say, ‘I don’t want to make them mad’ and so ignore the problem and say nothing. As someone who has battled mental illness, let me say, ‘Go ahead and risk making me mad. I might need to know, that day, that someone cared.'”

There were 39,518 suicides in the United States in 2011, one every 13 minutes. Suicide is the third leading cause of death in the U.S. for those ages 10-24 and in Iowa ranks second among cause of death for 15-19 age group. The Centers for Disease Control revealed in 2014 that youth suicide claims an average of 4,600 young lives annually.

“A big part of successfully addressing mental health issues with youth is detecting them as early as possible,” Kerber concluded. “Learn the signs and understand that these kids can be helped, but almost always that help is going to begin, at least, from the outside. Don’t be afraid to be the one to step forward.”

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.