Mental Health
Questions and Answers
Questions & Answers
For this section we did our own research and interviewed the Solon High School Counselor Jodi Lurie in order to best answer your questions.
Jodi Lurie's Credentials: LISW-S (Licensed Independent Social Worker (Supervisior)), LSC (Licensed School Counselor), Masters in Social Work, Post Masters in School Counseling
Q1
What distinguishes mental illness from normal emotions?
Q3
Who should I talk to if I am suffering from an eating disorder?
A1
When your emotions are chronic and constant enough to be impacting your daily functioning and stability for an extended period of time.
A3
This depends on the severity of your condition. If you are severely malnurished you must first go to the hospital to receive treatment for this. Once/ if you are physically stable you can talk to your doctor or The Emily Program which specializes "in eating disorder awareness, treatment, and lifetime recovery" to decide what your next steps will be
Q2
How do I prevent mental illness?
Q4
Do coping mechanisms actually work?
A2
It is important to know that prevention is not always possible when it comes to mental illness, however, surrounding yourself with a good support system and checking in on yourself honestly is important. Social media has caused many issues for teenagers and young adults concerning their mental health, so it is important to keep this in mind when evaluating your mental health. Also, make time for the things you love!
A4
They do work, however, not all coping mechanisms work on everyone. You have to find what works for you. Some common options are coloring, going outside, breathing exercises, tightening and loosening muscles, physical exercise, talking to a loved one, etc.
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Q5
What should I do when I get panic attacks?
Q7
How should I handle self harm urges?
A5
During panic attacks it is important that you know what coping mechanisms work for you. Do this by practicing different techniques while mildly stressed/anxious and that way you are prepared for a panic attack.
A7
Self harm is a very unhealthy coping mechanism, so in order to fix the urge you must replace this coping mechanism with one that is healthy. Mrs. Lurie recommends holding ice cubes if you have the urge to self harm. This can give the sensation you desire without actually damaging your body. You can also take a cold shower in order to clear your mind. If you have tools for inflicting self harm in your room replace them with a healthy thing to do when you are in a state of panic. This will give you a way out that isn't harmful. For instance, if you keep a razor under your bed, replace it with a coloring book or some headphones. Finding something that can distract you for ten to twenty minutes will often put you into a more rational state of mind.
Q6
How can I help a friend struggling with mental health issues?
Q8
Does depression and anxiety get better with age?
A6
Being there for your friends is super important. The best thing you can do in most situations is listen and offer compassionate support. Make sure they know they have control over whether or not they would like to talk about it. If your friend does not want to acknowledge the issues they are dealing with you should not aggressively diagnose them. Instead, bring their attention to unhealthy behaviors and ask if they want help. If you feel overwhelmed by the weight of the issues your friend is sharing with you, you can tell them "you deserve support and help that is better than I can give." Maintaining your own mental health is always the most important thing. If something becomes a health risk, make sure you tell someone with access to adaquate help immediately. They will forgive you once they are in a more stable state of mind.
A8
This answer depends on the type of depression or anxiety you are experiencing. If you are experiencing clinical depression/ anxiety it can get better with age and treatment (the longer you get treatment the better you will be able to handle the depression or anxiety. If your depression or anxiety is caused by environmental factors, then it can get better with age because you will have more control over the people and activities you will surround yourself with.
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Q9
Does anxiety decrease your overall health?
Q11
How can I get help if I cannot afford a traditional therapist?
A9
Scientists have been researching this topic for awhile, but have not come to a decisive conclusions. They have connected some short and long term effects to anxiety, such as, heart palpitations, high blood pressure, breathing issues, stomach and muscle aches, shaking, fatigue, and dizziness (short term) as well as memory problems, migraines, increased risk of heart disease and gastrointestinal disorders, and a lowered level of immune health. That being said, you should not cause yourself more stress with this information. It is just important to keep a healthy body and mind to the best of your ability.
A11
There are plenty of affordable online therapy options that can be very helpful. If you are attending a college/university many of them have free counseling sessions through the school. The cost of therapy can be covered/ assisted by health insurance as well.
Q10
How can you combat intrusive thoughts?
Q12
How can I normalize therapy for myself, friends, and family?
A10
You can combat intrusive thoughts by acknowledging, accepting, and re-directing them. Many people struggle with intrusive thoughts, so if you do too there is no reason to feel ashamed. Intrusive thoughts can often be things that you are ashamed of and feel guilty about. This shame and guilt proves that these thoughts are not an accurate representation of who you are. Making yourself aware of the intrusive thoughts will help you know when they are happening in the future. By acknowledging the thoughts you can get rid of the faster by accepting the thought as okay and just a thought and then finding something else to direct your attention to.
A12
Being aware that it is normal and common to talk to a mental health professional is a good way to normalize it to yourself and the people around you. According to the CDC 19.2% of adults had received mental health treatment within the year prior. Therapy can be very helpful! Mental health, similar to physical health is something that can be helped by going to a professional. Comparing mental health upkeep to physical upkeep can be beneficial for those who do not or are unwilling to treat mental health as significant (however you cannot force people to have an open mind. If therapy is right for you, don't let the stigma in your community stop you from seeking help which is anonymous)
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