MENTAL HEALTH

Children’s Health Impacted by Adult Violence

May 13, 2021 by Staff Reporter

Childhood should be a happy and carefree time, but often it doesn’t work out that way. Children are exposed to all the stresses and strains that affect the families and communities in which they grow up. Recent research shows this can have lifelong implications for health.

In a study conducted by our research group at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, we found one in three children (and their mothers) in the study had experienced intimate partner violence or domestic abuse by the time the children in the study turned ten.

Findings from the same study, published today in the British Medical Journal’s Archives of Childhood Disorders, show children exposed to intimate partner violence by age ten are two to three times more likely to have a psychiatric diagnosis and/or emotional and behavioural difficulties.

And it isn’t just children’s mental health affected, but their physical health and development too. We found children exposed to intimate partner violence were also two to three times more likely to have impaired language skills, sleep problems, elevated blood pressure and asthma.

Mothers in the study completed questionnaires three, six and 12 months after giving birth, and in the fourth and tenth years after having their first child.

At age ten, we studied a smaller group of the children via face-to-face activities designed to assess their cognitive and language development. We also interviewed mothers to assess their child’s mental health.

How can services and schools help?

Our findings have important implications for policy. Up to half of all children in our study who had language difficulties and mental and physical health problems had been exposed to intimate partner violence before age ten.

The findings highlight the need for health services and schools to be very attentive to the role intimate partner violence might be playing in children’s health, behaviour and language development.

If child health services and schools don’t recognise and respond to intimate partner violence, interventions to support children with health and developmental problems are likely to be less effective.

Given one in three families are affected, and an even higher proportion of children experience health and language difficulties, this shouldn’t be something health services and schools put in the “too hard basket”.

Mothers’ and children’s health are linked

Our research highlights the extent to which the health and well-being of mothers and their children are inextricably linked. In our paper published in BMJ Open earlier this year, we showed mothers who had experienced intimate partner violence in the ten years after the birth of their first child were three to five times more likely to experience anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress (PTSD) symptoms. And they were around twice as likely to experience back pain and incontinence.

The health of mothers and their children are tightly connected.
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This extra burden of ill health experienced by both women and children exposed to intimate partner violence compounds other social and economic challenges women face in trying to achieve safety for themselves and their children. It’s critical women and children in need of support to heal and recover from the impact of intimate partner violence are able to access affordable and culturally appropriate health care.

Studies consistently show there are many barriers women have to overcome, including shame, fear of judgement, and cost and availability of health care and other support services in regional communities. For women whose first language isn’t English, and Aboriginal women, there are extra cultural, language and systems-level barriers. Systems-level barriers include the persistence of cultural stereotypes, limited availability of language services, and experiences of discrimination when seeking care and support.

Achieving the best possible outcomes

While the type and severity of adversity may overwhelm some children, there’s evidence individual skills (such as the ability to regulate emotions), relationships with extended family, and supportive school environments that foster a sense of belonging do support children’s resilience.

Communities, schools and health services all have important roles to play in fostering children’s resilience and supporting mothers to access care for their children when needed.

Anyone at risk of family and domestic violence and/or sexual assault can seek help 24 hours a day, seven days a week, either online or by calling 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732). Information is also available in 28 languages other than English.

Working with Emotional Teenagers

May 13, 2021 by Staff Reporter

For more than a year, many of our familiar routines have been altered and that can be especially challenging for teens who have gained a bit more independence in adolescence.

Parents and other adults such as teachers, grandparents and coaches may have noticed emotional and mental health changes in their preteen or teen over the course of the year. When is thus cause for concern rather than just general teenage moodiness?

“Being the parent of teenagers, I understand this can be a challenging distinction. Lots of social and emotional changes happen during the preteen and teenager years, and consistency and routines are really important,” said Carmen Holley, a licensed clinical social worker and mental health consultant for Lurie Children’s Center for Childhood Resilience. “Mood swings are typical during this phase of life and are generally not an area of great concern. However, if the mood changes seem more severe and long-lasting, this might be a sign the child may need additional support.”

The change in routine, recommendations from health officials, social isolation and remote school are just some aspects of life that may have also heightened or brought on anxiety. Even now, as businesses and schools reopen and there is a return of normalcy, anxiety may still harbor.

“First, I want parents and caregivers to know that it is normal to feel overwhelmed with all of the messages they receive about keeping their children safe,” Holley said. “At the same time, our children are having all kinds of feelings about their experiences, feeling anxious being one of them. Feeling anxious from time to time is a typical response to stress. However, anxiety that is intense, prolonged and seems to ‘come out of the blue’ might be indicators that the child needs additional support.”

It’s natural for a teenager to experience a range of moods and emotions throughout the day. Holley advises that it’s important to stay involved and communicate with your teen. Young people have had many reasons to feel sad over the past year, so it can be hard to know when it’s more than sadness and cause for concern.

“Sadness is a typical, temporary emotion. Depression is a mood disorder that is much more than feeling sad (although sadness is one symptom of depression). Some warning signs for depression in preteens and teenagers might be: feeling sad/hopeless most of the time, irritability, lack of interest in leisure activities, insomnia and changes in their sleeping and/or eating habits,” Holley said.

The pandemic, coupled with the events that have led to civil unrest, have had a cumulative impact on so many young people and their families. Adults play a critical role in helping children and teenagers process their feelings and make meaning of their experiences.

“If I could give some guidance to parents, caregivers and trusted adults, I would say listen and comfort,” Holley said. “Listen to your child, with patience and without judgment. Comfort the child by telling them that all feelings are OK, and that you are there to be with them through all of it. We have experienced a collective trauma, and so there must be a collective healing. A place to start is with ourselves.

“As adults, we need to acknowledge what we are grappling with, and how to heal ourselves. This is a critical first step to being able to support our kids.”

Even a Mild Case of COVID Can Adversely Impact Mental Health

May 7, 2021 by Staff Reporter

A significant level of symptoms of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress may follow COVID-19 independent of any previous psychiatric diagnoses, according to new research by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health with colleagues at Universidade Municipal de São Caetano do Sul in Brazil. Exposure to increased symptomatic levels of COVID-19 may be associated with psychiatric symptoms after the acute phase of the disease. This is the largest study to evaluate depressive, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress symptoms in tandem among patients who had mild COVID-19 disease. The findings published online in the journal Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry shed light on a significant subpopulation at risk for mental symptoms.

“These results are important because the vast majority of COVID-19 patients are classified as mild cases, facing long periods of at-home isolation,” said João Mauricio Castaldelli-Maia, MD, PhD, NIDA-INVEST Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Epidemiology at Columbia Mailman School. “It is probable that the increased prevalence of psychiatric symptoms post-COVID-19 is a consequence of the psychological context of the disease, and patients should be closely monitored for the development of psychiatric symptoms after COVID-19 treatment discharge.”

Nasal swabs were collected from residents within a section of Sao Paulo, Brazil, 18 years of age or older with suspected COVID-19 symptoms. Patients were tested at their homes under the supervision of trained healthcare personnel. Those who tested positive for COVID-19 — with at least two of the following symptoms: fever, cough, sore throat, change in/loss of smell — and were classified as mild cases — were further assessed for the presence of psychiatric symptoms approximately two months later.

Significant levels of depressive, anxiety and post-traumatic stress symptoms were reported by 26 percent, 22 percent, and 17 percent, respectively. For comparison purposes, previous estimates of post-traumatic stress levels within Brazil were 8.5% demonstrating that the prevalence within individuals presenting with mild COVID-19 increased versus past estimates.

In general, survivors of critical illnesses have a high level of mental symptoms after the condition improves. Depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder are among the most reported psychiatric events in patients with these conditions, according to the researchers. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the lives of many across the globe, resulting in an increased burden of physical and mental health consequences. Brazil, to date, is one of the most affected countries, reaching around 412,000 deaths by early May 2021.

“These findings echo warnings from the previous SARS outbreak, when survivors of SARS infections experienced increased psychological distress, persisting one year or more subsequent to the outbreak, and similar findings were observed following the occurrence of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in 2015,” observed Silvia Martins, MD, PhD, associate professor of Epidemiology at Columbia Mailman School.

“Early mental health intervention such as psychotherapy and supportive groups could play an important role in preventing incident mental health problems for post-COVID sufferers,” said Castaldelli-Maia. “While further investigations for the possible neurobiological mechanisms linking COVID-19 and mental health conditions are warranted, healthcare systems must prepare for an influx of individuals experiencing psychological distress as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Poor Skin Perception Can Negatively Impact Mental Health

May 7, 2021 by Staff Reporter

Have you ever skipped an event because of a skin imperfection that made you feel self-conscious? If so, you’re not alone. A new survey from the No.1 doctor and pharmacist recommended scar brand, Mederma, has found that more than half of Americans would skip events altogether (pre-pandemic) instead of going through the hassle of dealing with skin issues and insecurities. In fact, three in five respondents agreed that their skin has a big impact on their self-confidence and mental health.

In honor of Mental Health Awareness month this May and the brand’s new “You Are More Than Your Scar” campaign, Mederma is revealing the ways in which perceived physical skin imperfections like acne scars, surgical scars and stretch marks, can affect mental health, self-confidence and anxiety.

“When we were creating our new ‘You Are More Than Your Scar’ campaign, it was inspiring to see that every scar has a story, and more importantly, people often fight silent battles with their marks and scars,” said HRA Pharma America, President, Bradley Meeks. “This survey has shown that skin insecurities affect everyone and feeling confident in the skin you’re in has a connection to mental health.”

While the survey of 2,000 American adults revealed that skin imperfections have kept people from seeing family, going to birthday parties and even weddings, the survey also uncovered that some respondents already embrace their scars or have started to accept their insecurities – proving we are more than our scars.

Check out the Mederma “You Are More Than Your Scar” survey results below and what they reveal about Americans and their skin insecurities.

Americans’ Top Skin Insecurities

Respondents revealed that skin injuries like cuts (27 percent), burns (24 percent) and surgery scars (22 percent) have made them feel insecure about their physical looks.
When it comes to what makes people most self-conscious about their skin, the top concerns included acne scars (32 percent), stretch marks (30 percent) and existing acne (25 percent).

Mental Self-Care Takes A Backseat

54 percent of respondents admitted they struggle to find time for self-love and self-care.
Over half of respondents describe themselves as the “hype man” or “hype woman” of their friend group that always boosts everyone else’s confidence – yet 54 percent struggle to get past their own insecurities to feel more confident in themselves.
62 percent of those surveyed are prioritizing the needs of others and neglecting their own mental health.

Skin-Esteem

Three in five respondents also agreed that one thing, in particular, has a big impact on their self-confidence and mental health – their skin.
58 percent of those surveyed said they’ve even had social anxiety due to bad skin in the past.
In fact, back in the pre-quarantine days, 61 percent of respondents said they’d skip events altogether instead of going through the hassle of dealing with skin issues and insecurities.

Skin Positivity

For those with scars, 62 percent shared they’ve started wearing their scars with pride because they’ve made them who they are today.
While so many suffer with skin insecurities, 64 percent of those surveyed said the pandemic has given them the time they needed to embrace their insecurities – and 52 percent have started to feel more confident in themselves.
Half of the respondents feel so confident in themselves today, they’d post an unfiltered selfie on social media, and 42 percent shared they’re more likely to join work video calls sans-makeup compared to the past.
With these struggles and journeys in mind, it’s no surprise that when respondents have a good skin day – 66 percent agreed they can take on the world.

Price of Clear Skin

According to respondents, the top five things people would do for picture perfect skin:
- Cancel Netflix for life – 34 percent
- Not use a smartphone for life – 33 percent
- Only eat oatmeal for one year – 31 percent
- Give up your favorite food for life – 27 percent
- Give up sex for a year – 22 percent

Taking Cover

Covering up skin imperfections was common, with 31 percent of respondents noting that they use heavy makeup and 36 percent saying they wear baggy clothing to hide perceived skin issues.
Trying to get skin to look pristine also takes up a lot of time, with 26 percent of respondents saying their skincare routines take up about 5 to 6 hours a week.
Out of the 87 percent of respondents with scars, half said they used to hate their scars and that their scars negatively affected their self-confidence in the past.

Celeb Skin Wishlist

When asked what celebrity TV host’s skin they’d like to make a filter of, Savannah Guthrie, Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest were the respondents’ top three choices.
When it comes to stars with scars, Gen Z felt that Selena Gomez, Padma Lakshmi and Kylie Jenner “owned their scars” the best.

Mederma understands how Americans feel about scars and stretch marks that leave a mark, which is why the brand’s new “You Are More Than Your Scar” campaign strives to remind people that they are more than their skin imperfections. Alongside the new campaign, Mederma has also unveiled new packaging design across their entire suite of products that is currently rolling out on shelves.

What to Know About Access to Mental Health Resources

May 1, 2021 by Staff Reporter

This past year presented so many different challenges and obstacles that tested our strength and resiliency. The global pandemic forced us to cope with situations we never even imagined, and a lot of us struggled with our mental health as a result. The good news is that there are tools and resources available that can support the well-being of individuals and communities.

Accessing Mental Health Care

Kate Wojnicki, ARNP, is a Family Nurse Practitioner and HIV Specialist at Unity Care NW. Photo courtesy Unity Care NW

A great starting point for anyone who is ready to address mental health concerns is to speak to your primary care provider. They can help identify if you’re in need of specialist care and find a mental health provider covered by your insurance.

Psychologytoday.com offers a therapist search function where you can look for providers in your area and narrow your search based on a range of criteria including the provider’s specialty, pricing, the insurance they accept, even their sexuality and gender identity.

In the wake of a nation-wide shortage of mental health care professionals, platforms like BetterHelp Counseling and Talkspace Online Therapy, offer flexible tailored plans for remote care that can be a great option for many people.

Accessing mental health care and finding a therapist that works for you can take time and energy. It can be helpful to explore strategies to support you as you navigate your own path to accessing mental health care.

Radical Acceptance

Mental health has taken a hit during the pandemic but made remote visits more common. Some find a virtual counseling session more convenient and telehealth services have skyrocketed over the last year. Photo courtesy Unity Care NW

The past year forced many to accept tough situations that they had no control over. One method some find helpful to challenge negative thinking patterns that can come up in times of stress is called radical acceptance. Radical acceptance is about fully accepting your reality in situations that are beyond your control and can be one tool to manage anger or anxiety. It doesn’t mean you approve of the situation, are giving up, or that it isn’t painful. You still feel however you feel, but by accepting that it is what it is, you may give the problem less power over you.

A few things to try:

Notice when you’re fighting against reality. The first step in accepting reality is gaining awareness that you’re resisting it. It may seem like this would be easy to spot, but there are a lot of subtle ways that people push against reality. If you’re feeling bitter or resentful, wishing things were different, or thinking about how life isn’t fair, you might be fighting reality.
Remind yourself that you can’t change what has already happened. Before you can make peace with reality, you have to acknowledge that there’s no going back to the way things were. Doing this may be challenging and painful, but by identifying what you can and can’t control, you can turn your energy towards coping with the things you can’t change.
Embrace your feelings. You might still be angry, scared, overwhelmed, or lonely—that’s okay. Accepting reality includes everything that you’re feeling. When you accept these feelings and let yourself experience them without judgement, it can help you work through them in a healthy way.
Pretend that you’re accepting reality. Even if you’re still struggling to fully accept reality, think about what it would look like if you did. How would you act if you simply accepted things as they are? What would your next step be? Changing your behaviors and actions to reflect “pretend acceptance” can help you to shift your thoughts.
Use coping statements. These are sentences that remind you that different, healthier ways of thinking are possible. Repeating them can help you get through difficult moments—you can focus on just one or make a long list of your own. Some examples are: It is what it is. I can’t change what has already happened. I can only control my own actions and reactions. If it helps, set an alarm/create an event on your phone with a coping statement to pop up with a reminder every now and again.

Keep in mind that there are no one-size-fits-all solutions when it comes to improving your mental health. Mental that mental illnesses are
real, and recovery is possible. By reaching out for mental health care and developing your own coping strategies, it is possible to find balance between life’s ups and downs and continue to cope with the challenges brought on by the pandemic.

Need Affordable Health Coverage?

Is lack of insurance keeping you from getting tested? If you need or have lost health care coverage or had a qualifying life like losing your job or getting divorced, you can call our office and speak to one of our health insurance navigators who can help you find a plan that works for you. President Biden recently opened a special enrollment period to help anyone who has lost or needs health benefits to be able to apply for insurance through the Affordable Care Act.