Let’s Talk Colorado
www.LetsTalkCO.org
Key Messages
from Let’s Talk
Colorado
•
It’s OK to talk
•
It’s OK to seek treatment
•
It’s OK to feel the way you
are feeling
•
IT’s OK to ask for help
•
IT’s OK to reach out
Additional Key Messages from Let’s Talk Colorado
• There’s no “perfect” or “right” way to talk to someone
with a mental illness.
• There are resources and help for people with mental
illness.
• Treatment can work, and often does.
• It’s not your fault if you have a mental illness.
• Mental health issues are real.
• Having a conversation about mental health can save a
life.
Mental Illness
•
What do people with mental
illness look like?
•
How do we talk about
mental illness?
•
How do we think about
mental illness?
•
How does the media portray
mental illness?
Did you picture images like these?
The Reality
Let’s Talk About
It
•
What are some slang terms
used to describe people
experiencing a mental
illness?
•
What are some slang terms
used to describe people
who have cancer?
•
Let’s Think
About It
Characteristics of those with
mental illness
Lazy, Weak, Selfish, Violent
•
Characteristics of those with
cancer
Courageous, Determined,
Inspirational, Generous
Media Portrayal
• People with mental illnesses are
portrayed as nearly 10 times more
violent than other television
characters.
• People with mental illnesses are
portrayed as 10 to 20 times more
violent than in reality.
• Negative news coverage also has a
huge impact
Why It Matters
• People with a mental illness wait an average of 10 years
to seek treatment
• Isolation
• Job and income loss
• Dropping out of school
• Incarceration
• Suicide
It’s OK... to have a mental illness, many of us do.
Each year...
• 1 in 4 adults will experience a mental illness in their
lifetime
• 1 in 5 children will experience a mental illness during
childhood or adolescence
• 1 in 10 people will experience a more serious mental
illness, like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia
• About 1 in 8 people have diabetes, for perspective
It’s a medical illness, not a character flaw
Mental illnesses disrupt a person’s:
• Thinking
• Feeling
• Mood
• Ability to relate to others
• Daily functioning
• These illnesses are biological in nature
Serious
Mental Illnesses
•
Anxiety
•
Depression
•
Bipolar Disorder
•
Schizophrenia
•
PTSD
•
Eating Disorders
•
ADD/ADHD
•
Borderline Personality Disorder
•
Schizoaffective
•
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
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.
•
Tips For Talking
•
•
•
•
•
Don’t worry about saying the
exact right thing.
It’s okay if it’s awkward. It
often is.
It’s okay if you say the
“wrong” thing.
Be sincere. The person needs
most to know that you really
care.
Listen.
Keep eye contact, if you can.
Conversation Ideas
“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?”
•
•
•
•
•
Your Call To Action
• Talk openly about mental illnesses
• Educate others about mental illnesses
• Refer people to NAMI (The National Alliance on
Mental Illness)
• Visit www.LetsTalkCO.org to learn more!
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