7.MEH.3

What does this standard mean a child will know and be able to do?

7.MEH.3.1 Identify resources that would be appropriate for treating common mental disorders.
Mental disorders are illnesses that affect a person’s feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. They may have a physical cause: disease, injury, or drug use. Sometimes heredity is a factor in whether a person experiences an emotional disorder. Other causes can be related to stress: usually developing after repeated emotional stressors. It is recommended that mental disorders be identified and treated early so they are not problems throughout a person’s life.

Disorders related to anxiety include panic disorders, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Examples of mood disorders are depression and bi-polar disorder. The treatment of an emotional disorder depends on the cause, the behavior of the person experiencing the disorder, and available resources in his or her community. Therapy may include talking to a mental health professional, medication, behavioral therapy, or hospitalization. Therapy may be individual or in a group setting or support group. Usually getting help sooner rather than later is recommended. Sometimes the treatment is initiated by the person with the disorder asking for help. Other times someone might do a referral: suggesting the family access assistance from a mental health care provider. That person will probably do an assessment to identify the specific problem and recommend the best solution.

Mental health disorders can greatly compromise a young person’s life. Getting help is appropriate and (in most cases) necessary to get well and live life to the fullest.
 * The student will identify common mental disorders.
 * The student will be able to describe the variety of resources available in her or his community.
 * The student will be able to encourage a friend to seek assistance from an adult for emotional health problems.

7.MEH.3.2 Implement strategies to seek help from an adult for self-destructive thoughts or behaviors.
Self-destructive behaviors and thoughts are an indication that a young person is deeply sad, feels he or she is not supported by others, or feels disconnected from family, friends, or school. The behaviors may be reckless and involve risk-taking activities. Those behaviors may include taking risks for injury, such as placing oneself in dangerous situations or failing to protect oneself. The young person may engage in cutting, taking dares, moodiness, and withdrawing from family of friends. If a student notices these changes in him or herself, help should be sought. Friends can give support and extend kindness and understanding, but an adult is certainly needed to intervene.

Adults who are considered trustworthy and credible include parents, guardians, teachers and coaches, school nurses, guidance counselors, and youth leaders. Youth learn quickly to whom they can go for help. It should be noted that adults cannot keep self-destructive intent a secret. If a child has thoughts of suicide, that must be reported. Most schools have a safe plan for what to do if a student expresses suicidal intent or self-destructive intent. An intervention should be done by adults who are trained in the correct methods for assisting a student to move toward a safe plan. The more clearly and directly a student expresses the need for assistance, the better. The student should seek help from a trusted adult. If that person does not believe or trivializes the feelings, the student should go to another resource. Sometimes simply talking to someone and getting reassurance is sufficient to help the young person get better. Other times, the young person needing help will be best served by receiving therapy (individual of family therapy) or medications.
 * The student will be able to recognize when thoughts and behaviors are self-destructive.
 * The student will identify sources of assistance who are trustworthy, credible, and approachable.
 * The student will model using strategies for seeking help from an adult if having self-destructive thoughts and behaviors.