Pontiac General Hospital Behavioral Health

It has always been easier to define mental illnesses than to define mental health. In the United States, the American Psychiatric Association has traditionally been the organization to define mental disorders (beginning as early as in 1917 when it was known as The Association of Medical Superintendents of American Institutions of the Insane). More recently many have recognized that mental health is more than the absence of mental illness.

Principle is a great way to remember what should be included in a fitness plan. F.I.T.T stands for __________ __________ __________ __________.

In order to determine the specific challenges of disaster mental health (DMH) responders, Hambrick et al conducted an audit. The data was gathered through semi-structured group interviews using open ended questions with nine clinicians at various Community Mental Health Centers (CMHC). All CMHCs had a disaster response team who completed at least six hours of Psychological First Aid (PFA) training. The PFA guide that was consistently reference is a guide used to direct posttraumatic distress caused by a disaster. The interview content consisted of questions about the organization they represented, the needs of the organization, and phone interviews asking about barriers of DMH at the organization they work. The purpose of this experiment

Do you have a mental illness? Studies show that by the age of 14, over 50% of mental health conditions begin. By age 24, nearly 75% of mental health conditions develop. Are you in danger? According to a recent survey, over 50% of men prisoners and 70% of women prisoners have a mental illness. Also, over 75% of women inmates and 60% of men inmates need help to treat mental illness. What can be done about this? Currently there are limited treatment options; therefore, there needs to be better treatment options and knowledge available for the public to access. The government and society needs to create more accessible treatments for several reasons: there are limited amount of resources available to common middle-class citizens; many humans that

Starting out as a Vocational focused field counseling eventually developed a preventative measure for those “wanting to work with a more “normal” population” (Noah, 2018). As needs arouse throughout history counselors have developed different ways of working with people. Today there are 16 different divisions in the American Counseling Association (ACA) (Norton, 204). Mental health counseling specifically was developed as a hybrid between “psychology and educational counseling” as a way to fill gaps in services for those conflicted with mental health issues (Smith & Robinson, 1995). Today mental health counselors utilize a holistic approach and wellness models to assist people with a multitude of issues, from clinical

Sound mental health helps us to live our lives wholesomely and with a sense of well being. Though this seems to be an adult state of mind, how we have been brought up and conditioned through our growing years plays an important role. Mental strength means we are confident of dealing with anything that's happens. Chronic stress and anxiety is banished since we are confident of our ability to handle life as it comes. Even though life is uncertain we are assured that we can work it out. However, how many of us actually feel this way? Rather we find ourselves wondering and questioning if we will be able to manage life situations like our work, finances, families etc.

During life dilemmas, do you feel you’re unable to endure through daily functions and once the circumstance is resolved, do you often feel relieved? This occurrence is a part of everyone's life, but for my family this happens everyday with very few serene moments. However, in the peaceful times with my family, my mind and body are at ease, and I wish that feeling would last forever. Unfortunately, the aroma of tranquility departs while I’m experiencing the motions of my demanding life. In the stressful times diligent quotes such as “This, too, shall pass” and “Everything happens for a reason” have helped accomplish my daily responsibilities. In the past few years, these simple, encouraging words have provided me the confidence to overcome obstacles with my family, anxiety, and depression. I believe, that mental illnesses have added an unbearable amount of stress and pain to individuals and families.

When I first started my college journey I initially majored in Biology. Not knowing what I wanted to do, I was influenced by my advisor to enter the biology field. After my third year, I decided not to pursue biology anymore, and that’s when I discovered my passion for the Psychology field. After receiving my undergrad in psychology, I knew that I wanted to get my masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, but I had no idea of how broad this area is. This week assignment granted me the opportunity to interview someone who has been in this profession for 25 plus years who has worked in all sectors when it comes to mental health counseling. It allowed me to learn the pros and cons of this field and it even gave me more insight and clarity on exactly what I wanted to do. I found this week assignment to be very informative and I believe it is necessary for anyone that’s interesting in entering in this field. I am grateful for the knowledge and advice that I received during this week assignment.

Clinical Social Workers use a person-in-situation (also referred to as person-in-environment) viewpoint to treat mental health and behavioral issues. They may work with individuals, couples, families or other types of groups (Psychology and Counseling Group, n.d.). To become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Florida, one must obtain a Master of Social Work degree from an accredited college or university, including clinical coursework, perform 100 supervised clinical hours post-degree, and pass the licensure exam (Social Work Licensure, 2016). Licensed Marriage and Family Counselors and Licensed Mental Health Counselors have similar educational and licensure requirements to Social Workers, with slightly varying methods of practice (Psychology and Counseling Group, n.d.).

Faced with the overwhelming stigma that surrounds mental illness, we have spent the semester learning how to break down doorways into the lives of characters who have struggled with their mental health. Far too often have these doors been kept bolted shut. As a consequence of public fear and lack of understanding, the people behind these doors -- individuals with mental illnesses -- have been given no choice but to struggle in silence. In reading various works throughout the semester, we have been able to begin to challenge the stigma that surrounds mental illness. Trying to gain understanding, we have not only opened doorways, but we have begun to construct empathic tunnels between our own lives and the unfamiliar universes of characters with mental illness.

In America, it’s not that rare nowadays to have a relative or friend that struggles with a mental illness. We should educate, take care of our teens, and make a stride for helping lower the suicide rate. Mental health should be assessed for kids from the age from 11 and on, so that the struggling can find help.

This video project has led me to understand and practice the techniques used in counseling. Prior to this class, I had little knowledge of the process of counseling. Even though there were several skills which will be useful for counseling in the future, the technique I enjoyed learning about was helping the client determine what they wish to be the outcome and allowing them to determine the action steps to reach their goal. This I believe aligns well with social work profession, as it is built on empowerment of people throughout the world. Although I still have a great deal of room for improvement on this skill and numerous others, I now see the path I must take to reach this goal.

In my opinion, mental illness is also called psychiatric disorder, which affects an individual’s way of thinking, behaving and perceiving, and interacting with other people. Upon reflection, I felt that my anxiety was largely due to my negative preconceptions about mental illness especially my belief that mentally ill people are violent, unpredictable, and dangerous. These views were not only a result of a lack of knowledge about mental illness but also due to the impact of negative media and cultural stereotypes that I had grown up with. Before clinical placement, I used to be scared with the patients and used to be reluctant to deal with them.

Entering my third semester of clinic at Towson University’s Hearing and Balance Center I have been exposed to a variety of experiences, in terms of counseling. Counseling is a skill that is learned through years of practice. Having been under supervision in clinic for the last two semesters, I have had the opportunity to observe multiple counseling sessions performed by my clinic supervisors. Over this time, I have seen an array of approaches to counseling such as the order at which the information is given to the patient, rate, and the tone of voice. I am reminded that overtime I will develop my own counseling strategies, but for now it is helpful to observe different techniques. Going into our third lecture in counseling, my thoughts on counseling and skills have already changed. Up until now I found emotional counseling, self concept, and child abuse and neglect as the three topics that were most interesting and helpful.

Health is such an important factor of our daily lives. Everything we do affects our health, physically, mentally, and emotionally. The question that someone may ask themselves is whether individual behavior is more effective in promoting health or is the structure of the world more effective in promoting health. This topic plays an important role in psychology and is controversial.