Review of Learning Styles, Mental Illness, and Communication

Learning Styles

• Visual Learners:
  • About 65% of individuals.
  • They use visual objects like graphs, charts, and pictures.
  • They have good perception of aesthetics and can read body language well.
  • They can memorize and recall written information and learn better by watching lectures.
• Auditory Learners:
  • About 30% of individuals.
  • They retain information through hearing and speaking.
  • They prefer being told how to do things and summarize main points out loud for memorization.
  • They notice different aspects of speaking and often have talents in music.
  • They may concentrate better with soft music playing in the background.
• Kinesthetic Learners:
  • About 5% of individuals.
  • They use a hands-on approach to learning.
  • They are generally better in math and science.
  • They prefer demonstrating how to do something rather than explaining it verbally.
  • They usually prefer group work more than others.

Memory Retention Percentages

• 10% of what we read
• 20% of what we hear
• 30% of what we see
• 50% of what we see and hear
• 70% of what we say
• 90% of what we say as we do it

Mental Illness

• A mental illness is a health condition that affects a person's thinking, emotion, or behavior. It interferes with or limits major life activities.
• It can affect someone's ability to relate to others and function each day.
• It is important to use descriptions that convey hope and normality, similar to other conditions affecting the human body.

Adult Learning Styles Handout

• A handout is available in Dropbox that covers adult learning styles.
• It discusses visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners, detailing their characteristics and preferred ways of learning.

Mental Illness as a Medical Condition

• Mental illnesses are medical conditions that often impair the capacity for coping with the ordinary demands of life, similar to how diabetes is a disorder of the pancreas.

Prevalence of Mental Illness

• Mental illnesses can affect persons of any age, race, religion, or income.
• Signs and symptoms often occur during adolescence and young adulthood, but all ages are susceptible, with higher rates among youth and seniors.
• Approximately 19% of all US adults have a mental illness.
• Prevalence varies among different groups:
  • Asian adults: 15%
  • Black adults: 16%
  • Hispanic or Latino adults: 17%
  • Mixed and/or biracial adults: 20%
  • Lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults: 37%

Medication Response Rates

• 80% of individuals with BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder)
• 65% of individuals with major depression
• 60% of individuals with schizophrenia respond to medication.
• However, some individuals do not respond to medication:
  • 20% with BPD
  • 35% with major depressive disorder
  • 40% with schizophrenia

Concordance Rates (2002/2013 Data)

• Siblings:
  • Schizophrenia: 9% chance of developing
  • BPD: 12% chance of developing
  • Depression: 15% chance of developing
• One Parent:
  • Schizophrenia: 13% chance of developing
  • BPD: 15% chance of developing
  • Depression: 27% chance of developing
• Two Parents:
  • Schizophrenia: 37-46% chance of developing
  • BPD: 74% chance of developing
• Identical Twins:
  • Schizophrenia: 28% chance of developing
  • BPD: 74-80% chance of developing
  • Depression: 59% chance of developing

Normalizing Mental Illness

• Statements can be used to normalize mental illness as another medical condition.
• You can replace the words "mental illness" with "cancer" to illustrate that anyone can get it, but not everyone does, and that treatment is available and recovery is possible.
• Mental illnesses are not the result of bad illnesses, lack of character, or anything else of that nature.

Person-First Language

• Language shapes stereotypes and stigmatizing views about people living with mental health conditions.
• There is a handout in Dropbox called "Person First Language".
• The handout is an article by Kathy Snow
• When working with families or in a mental health setting, it’s important to model person-first language instead of correcting others directly.
• Examples of person-first language:
  • Instead of "the mentally ill," say "living with a mental health challenge/condition/disorder."
  • Instead of "I'm bipolar," say "I have bipolar disorder."
  • Instead of "He is acting crazy," say "His behavior is unusual."
  • Instead of "She is mentally ill," say "She has a mental health condition."
• Avoid terms like loony, crazy, wacko, insane, schizo, etc., as they perpetuate negative stereotypes and stigma.
• Discussions on recovery language and person-first language will continue throughout the sessions.

Generational and Cultural Considerations

• The primary rule is to know your audience.
• Adjust your communication style based on generational and cultural differences.
• Example: An 80-year-old versus a 17-year-old.

Building Rapport

• Your first goal is to build rapport with individuals or family members.
• Build a relationship to impact or support them through their current situation.
• Make adjustments in how you speak or present information based on generational and cultural differences.

Cultural Competency

• It's crucial to be culturally competent, though one cannot claim complete knowledge of another person’s culture based solely on race and ethnicity.

Scope of Service for MPSS

• The list provided is from the Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health.
• As you become more familiar with the material, you'll feel more comfortable empowering family members.
• Empower parents and caregivers to advocate for their child and youth with emotional, developmental, behavioral, substance use, or mental health conditions.
• The scope of service includes:
  • Assisting and supporting family members to navigate through multiple agencies and human service systems like basic needs, health, behavioral health, education.
  • Promoting wellness, trust, and hope.
  • Increasing skills in communication, informed decision making, and self-determination.
  • Identifying and developing advocacy skills.
  • Coaching parenting, self-care, and wellness recovery skills.
  • Increasing access to community resources and the use of formal and natural supports.
  • Reducing isolation and the stigma of mental health conditions.