Let’s Talk Colorado
www.LetsTalkCO.org
Let’s Talk Colorado
Key Messages from Let’s Talk Colorado
oIt’s OK to talk
oIt’s OK to seek treatment
oIt’s OK to feel the way you are feeling
oIT’s OK to ask for help
oIT’s OK to reach out
Let’s Talk Colorado
Additional Key Messages from Let’s Talk Colorado
o There’s no “perfect” or “right” way to talk to someone with a
mental illness.
o There are resources and help for people with mental illness.
o Treatment can work, and often does.
o It’s not your fault if you have a mental illness.
o Mental health issues are real.
o Having a conversation about mental health can save a life.
Let’s Talk Colorado
Mental Illness
o What do people with mental illness look like?
o How do we talk about mental illness?
o How do we think about mental illness?
o How does the media portray mental illness?
Let’s Talk Colorado
Did you picture images like these?
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Let’s Talk Colorado
The Reality
Let’s Talk Colorado
Let’s Talk About It
o What are some slang terms used to describe people
experiencing a mental illness?
o What are some slang terms used to describe people
who have cancer?
Let’s Talk Colorado
Let’s Think About It
o Characteristics of those with mental illness
Lazy, Weak, Selfish, Violent
o Characteristics of those with cancer
Courageous, Determined, Inspirational, Generous
Let’s Talk Colorado
Media Portrayal
o People with mental illnesses are portrayed as nearly 10 times
more violent than other television characters.
o People with mental illnesses are portrayed as 10 to 20 times
more violent than in reality.
o Negative news coverage also has a huge impact
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Why It Matters
o People with a mental illness wait an average of 10 years to
seek treatment
o Isolation
o Job and income loss
o Dropping out of school
o Incarceration
o Suicide
Let’s Talk Colorado
It’s OK... to have a mental illness, many of us do.
Each year...
o 1 in 4 adults will experience a mental illness in their lifetime
o 1 in 5 children
o 1 in 10 people will experience a more serious mental illness, like
bi-polar disorder or schizophrenia
o About 1 in 8 people have diabetes, for perspective
Let’s Talk Colorado
It’s a medical illness, not a character flaw
Mental illnesses disrupt a person’s:
o Thinking
o Feeling
o Mood
o Ability to relate to others
o Daily functioning
o These illnesses are biological in nature
Let’s Talk Colorado
Major Mental Illnesses
Anxiety
Depression
Bipolar Disorder
Schizophrenia
PTSD
Eating Disorders
ADD/ADHD
Borderline Personality Disorder
Schizoaffective
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Let’s Talk Colorado
It’s Treatable, Life Can Get Better
Mental illness is more common than
dark brown eyes...
Treatments are highly effective.
Yet, people often wait up to 10
Years before seeking treatment.
Let’s Talk Colorado
Tips for Talking
o Don’t worry about saying the exact right thing.
o It’s okay if it’s awkward. It often is.
o It’s okay if you say the “wrong” thing.
o Be sincere. The person needs most to know that you really
care.
o Listen.
o Keep eye contact, if you can.
Let’s Talk Colorado
Conversation Ideas
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“Thanks for opening up to me.”
“Can we go to coffee on Tuesday?” (Be specific)
“Relapse is a part of recovery, not the end of it.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. It must be tough.”
“Can I drive you to your appointment, or to the pharmacy?”
“How are you feeling today? Is therapy helping?”
Let’s Talk Colorado
Your Call to Action
o Talk openly about mental illnesses
o Educate others about mental illnesses
o Refer people to NAMI (The National Alliance on Mental Illness)
o Visit www.LetsTalkCO.org to learn more!
Let’s Talk Colorado
Let’s Talk Colorado Partner Organizations
9Health Fair
Aurora Mental Health Center
Boulder County Public Health
Broomfield Public Health
Centura/Denver South Group
Children’s Hospital Colorado
Clinica Family Health
ClinicNet
Community Reach Center
Denver Public Health
Doctors Care
Douglas County Government
Jefferson Center for Mental Health
Jefferson County Public Health
Mental Health Center of Denver
Metro Community Provider Network
SCL Health
Sheridan Health Services
Tri-County Public Health
West Pines Behavioral Health