Title: Promoting Mental Health of Youth in Schools and the Community
1Promoting Mental Health of Youth in Schools and
the Community
- Christina Mills, KASA,
- Kids as Self Advocates
Youth Consultant - Access Center of San Diego, Inc.
- Systems Change Advocate/
- Program Manager
- cmills_at_accesscentersd.org
-
2KASA National Project Director Julie Sipchen, IL
Youth Consultants Naomi Ortiz,
AZ Christina Mills, CA KASA Board Micah
Fialka-Feldman, MI Jen Halpert, CA Mitch
Hamilton, WI Amanda Putz, NY Jennifer Thomas,
AL Emily Winter, UT Maia Wroblewski, WI
www.fvkasa.org
3CHALLENGES For Youth With Special Health Needs
- Parents/Family members
- School Teachers and Administrators
- Doctors, therapists, counselors
- Society in general
- Peers
- Media
- Physical limitations
4Other Obstacles
- Program Physical Access
- Ongoing Medical Issues
- Systems that Control us
- Relationships
- Transportation
- Cultural Competence
- Finding Role Models with Disabilities
- Becoming Independent
5Peer Pressure Leads To
- Making fun of yourself and others
- Going along with the crowd
- Experimenting with drugs and Alcohol
- Doing things that make you uncomfortable
- Pleasing others to gain popularity
- Creating further problems for yourself
- Depression
All because you want to feel wanted, be liked,
and have friends
6Promoting Mental Heath in Youth
- Youth need to hear from their peers, others who
are going through similar situations - If a youth comes to you and wants to talk offer
to listen, but dont take over dont force the
conversation - Inquire about a school or community peer support
network together, if the young person wants it - Connect a youth with a mentor or offer to be a
mentor, if you have time to commit - Suggest ways a youth can get involved in school
or community activities
7CONNECTING with others who feel the same way
- KASA
- Forums
- Connect with a Board Member
- Learn from others
- Share your experiences with us
- Independent Living Centers
- Youth Programs
- Peer Support Groups
- Recreational Activities
- Meet one-on-one with a counselor
8The Physical Elements of Staying Mentally Healthy
- Make time in your schedule for fitness
- Create healthy eating habits
- Get 6 8 hours of sleep per night
- Balance time for work play
- Challenge yourself
9People with Disabilities are Coming to CILs and
Asking for
- Comfort Strength
- Encouragement
- Reassurance
- Creative New Ideas
- Peer Support
- Guidance
- Information Resources
- Ways to become or stay successful while
maintaining independence
10Mental Health Service Trends
- Limited number of doctors that accept Medicaid
- Medication not being covered by private insurance
or Medicaid - Not being awards benefits
- Reluctance to get services from County Mental
Health - Concerns about dealing with a second disability
in the work place - Reluctance to discuss problems with family
friends
11SUPPORT ON LINE
- KASA
- www.fvkasa.org
- Friends Like Me
- www.friendslikeme.org
- All Abilities
- www.allAbilities.org
- Everyday Warriors
- www.everydaywarriors.com
- World Association of People with Disabilities
- www.wapd.org/chat/
- All of the websites listed provide forums or chat
rooms for people with a variety of disabilities
12For additional information please contact me
at Christina Mills 3355 Mission Ave. Suite
131 Oceanside, CA. 92054 cmills_at_accesscentersd.org
www.fvkasa.org