International Multicultural Christian Mental Health Network

11/21/2023

is a serious in which people interpret reality abnormally. Schizophrenia may result in some combination of hallucinations, delusions, and extremely disordered thinking and behavior that impairs daily functioning, and can be disabling.

People with schizophrenia require lifelong treatment. Early treatment may help get symptoms under control before serious complications develop and may help improve the long-term outlook.

𝗦𝗬𝗠𝗣𝗧𝗢𝗠𝗦:
Schizophrenia involves a range of problems with thinking (cognition), behavior and emotions. Signs and symptoms may vary, but usually involve delusions, hallucinations or disorganized speech, and reflect an impaired ability to function. Symptoms may include:

🌑 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀:
These are false beliefs that are not based in reality. For example, you think that you're being harmed or harassed; certain gestures or comments are directed at you; you have exceptional ability or fame; another person is in love with you; or a major catastrophe is about to occur. Delusions occur in most people with schizophrenia.

🌑 𝗛𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘂𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀:
These usually involve seeing or hearing things that don't exist. Yet for the person with schizophrenia, they have the full force and impact of a normal experience. Hallucinations can be in any of the senses, but hearing voices is the most common hallucination.

🌑 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 (𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗲𝗰𝗵):
Disorganized thinking is inferred from disorganized speech. Effective communication can be impaired, and answers to questions may be partially or completely unrelated. Rarely, speech may include putting together meaningless words that can't be understood, sometimes known as word salad.

🌑 𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗯𝗻𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗯𝗲𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗼𝗿.
This may show in a number of ways, from childlike silliness to unpredictable agitation. Behavior isn't focused on a goal, so it's hard to do tasks. Behavior can include resistance to instructions, inappropriate or bizarre posture, a complete lack of response, or useless and excessive movement.

🌑 𝗡𝗲𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝘆𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗼𝗺𝘀:
This refers to reduced or lack of ability to function normally. For example, the person may neglect personal hygiene or appear to lack emotion (doesn't make eye contact, doesn't change facial expressions, or speaks in a monotone). Also, the person may lose interest in everyday activities, socially withdraw, or lack the ability to experience a pleasure.
Symptoms can vary in type and severity over time, with periods of worsening and remission of symptoms. Some symptoms may always be present.

In men, schizophrenia symptoms typically start in the early to mid-20s. In women, symptoms typically begin in the late 20s. It's uncommon for children to be diagnosed with schizophrenia and rare for those older than age 45.

𝗖𝗔𝗨𝗦𝗘𝗦:
It's not known what causes schizophrenia, but researchers believe that a combination of genetics, brain chemistry, and the environment contributes to the development of the disorder.
Problems with certain naturally occurring brain chemicals, including neurotransmitters called dopamine and glutamate, may contribute to schizophrenia. Neuroimaging studies show differences in the brain structure and central nervous system of people with schizophrenia. While researchers aren't certain about the significance of these changes, they indicate that schizophrenia is a brain disease.

𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗣𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦:
Left untreated, schizophrenia can result in severe problems that affect every area of life. Complications that schizophrenia may cause or be associated with include:

🔴 Su***de, su***de attempts, and thoughts of su***de
🔴 Anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
🔴 Depression
🔴 Abuse of alcohol or other drugs, including ni****ne
🔴 Inability to work or attend school
🔴 Financial problems and homelessness
🔴 Social isolation
🔴 Health and medical problems
🔴 Being victimized
🔴Aggressive behavior, although it's uncommon

𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡:
There's no sure way to prevent schizophrenia, but sticking with the treatment plan can help prevent relapses or worsening of symptoms. In addition, researchers hope that learning more about risk factors for schizophrenia may lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment.

(Collected)

09/09/2023

One of my newer staff asked me why I was so compassionate about mental health and mental illness. Most people in this field have had some personal experiences with self, family, friends or peers. In terms of myself, I never suffered from mental illness. However I have seen the ramifications of lack of resources, education, treatment and how the stigma of mental health In Minority communities have contributed to a overflow in the penal system, shelter system, hospital systems and the increase amount of street dwelling homeless. IN ADDITION, I have seen how our churches have had high rates of su***de, drug additions, trauma etc. I have seen people suffer in the pews and afraid to seek help due to the stigmas of mental illness. As a person who have worked in the field of mental health over 20 years, I feel obligated to break all of the above. And this is why I decided to become a Mental Health Advocate

05/18/2022

The racially motivated hate crime targeting the Black community in Buffalo has devastated us all.

The tragedy in Buffalo comes at a time when New York’s communities of color are already living through the effects of racism, disproportionate levels of violence, poverty and COVID-19 death and infection rates. The effects of events like this run deep and well beyond the City of Buffalo and Erie County. The threat of violence, discrimination and racist rhetoric all have a strong, negative impact on a person’s emotional and mental health.



OMH is dedicated to ensuring that all New Yorkers, and especially those in underserved communities, have access to resources to mitigate mental health needs caused by racism, discrimination and hate crimes.



In addition to our work addressing the more immediate needs of those most closely affected by this tragedy, we are mindful of the impact on those not in close proximity to Buffalo who are also affected because of social media and underlying historical trauma (especially in communities of color).



Earlier today, the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) hosted a Statewide community webinar - “Addressing Community Grief and Trauma in Wake of the Tragedy in Buffalo”. The presentation, designed to help community leaders (e.g., clergy, education officials, local government, public safety leads, behavioral health providers) with understanding how to assist individuals/families/youth coping with the grief and trauma caused by this horrific event, will be available on OMH’s website (https://omh.ny.gov/omhweb/disaster_resources/emergency-mental-health-resources.html).



Additionally, please take the time to share and explore these resources:



NY Project Hope Emotional Support Helpline - (1-844-863-9314) can help you address the psychological stress caused by this tragedy.

SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline - (1-800-985-5990)

Mental Health Effects of Racism - (https://omh.ny.gov/omhweb/cultural_competence/the_mental_health_effects_of_racism.pdf)

National Child Traumatic Stress Network - (https://www.nctsn.org/)

OUR MISSION is to raise the standard of care and improve access to services for traumatized children, their families and communities throughout the United States.

05/05/2022