Bioterrorism / Emergency Preparedness
Family Caregiver Resource Center
Used Tire Collection
2008 Used Tire Collection is on Friday April 25th from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Saturday April 26th from 8:-- a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
For more information, contact your local Health Department
Domestic Violence Awareness
Every 15 seconds a woman is beaten. Approximately 1 in every 4 women in the U.S. will be physically assaulted or raped by a partner at some point in their lives. Alarming statistics, but Domestic Violence is alarming. Domestic Violence is the leading cause of injury to women in the U.S.
Due to under-reporting, the extent of domestic violence is unknown. It is estimated that approximately 2-4 million women are assaulted by partners each year. No economic, ethnic, religious, racial or age group is immune, and it knows no geographic or educational boundaries. It occurs within male/female adult and teenage relationships and among same-sex partnerships.
Signs of Domestic Violence. If you believe you may be a Domestic Violence victim, ask yourself these questions:
 | Have you ever been physically hurt, such as being kicked, pushed, choked or punched, by your partner or ex-partner? |
| Has your partner every used the threat of hurting you or members of your family to get you to do something? |
| Do you feel like you are being controlled or isolated by your partner? For instance, does your partner control your money, transportation, activities or social contacts? |
| Have you ever been forced by your partner to have sex when you did not want to or to have unsafe sex? |
| Is your partner jealous and always questioning whether you are faithful? |
| Does your partner regularly blame you for things that you cannot control, or for his/her violent outbursts? |
| Does your partner regularly insult you? |
Signs that May be Observed in Others.
| Being prone to “accidents” or being repeatedly injured |
| Having injuries that could not be caused unintentionally or that do not match the story of what happened to cause them |
| Having injuries on many different parts of the body, such as the face, throat, neck, chest, abdomen or genitals |
| Having bruises, burns or wounds that are shaped like teeth, hands, belts, cigarette tips or that look like the injured person has a glove or sock on (from having a hand or foot placed in boiling water) |
| Having wounds in various states of healing |
How can you leave an abusive partner? Leaving an abuser can be dangerous. To leave as safely as possible, plan ahead and take the following precautions:
| Pack a bag ahead of time to take with you (and your family) when you decide it is the safest time to leave. Include extra clothes, important papers, money, extra keys and prescription medications. |
| Know exactly where you will go and how you will get there. |
| Call the Oasis Center, Alton at 800/244-1978 or the Crisis Center, Jacksonville at 217/243-4357 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800/799 SAFE (7233) to find out about legal options and available resources. |
Avoid using cell phones or making long-distance phone calls from home when making plans to leave. Long-distance calls can be traced to find out where you are going, and cell phone outgoing calls leave a record of the number dialed.
CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH FACTS
Did you know?
--It is estimated that almost 21% (or 13,700,000) of U.S. children and adolescents have a diagnosable mental or addictive disorder associated with at least minimum impairment.
--1 in 5 children and adolescents have a mental health disorder. At least 1 in 10 have a serious emotional disturbance. Untreated mental health disorders can lead to difficulties within the family, in school, and other areas of their life.
--Approximately 2/3 of children and adolescents in need of mental health services do not receive the care they need.
--About every 2 hours, a young person kills himself or herself.
--Suicide is the third leading cause of death among people age 15-24 years old after accidents and homicide. For youth between the ages of 10-14, suicide is the fourth leading cause of death.
--The suicide rate among those between the ages of 15 and 24 has doubled in girls, and quadrupled in males, over the last 60 years.
--Anxiety disorders, mood disorders (e.g. depression or bipolar), and disruptive disorders (e.g. attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder) are the most common mental disorders among children and adolescents.
--Nearly 4% of boys and more than 6% of girls have symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder caused by violence they have endured or witnessed.
--Eating disorders can be fatal if left untreated.
Did you know?
--With early detection and appropriate treatment, chances are excellent that most children with mental health needs can recover and lead healthy lives.
--The treatment success rate for children’s mental health disorders is 80%
Did you know?
--74% of students who drop out of school and who are categorized as seriously emotionally disabled are arrested with in five years of dropping out.
--Untreated mental illness may also increase a child’s risk of coming into contact with the juvenile justice system-estimates show that 66% of boys and almost 75% of girls in juvenile detention have at least one mental disorder.
Sources: Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law (US Surgeon General’s Report, New Freedom Commission Report), National Institute of Mental Health , National Mental Health Association and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
ANTI-STIGMA: DO YOU KNOW THE FACTS?
Stigma is not just the use of the wrong word or action. Stigma is about disrespect. It is the use of negative labels to identify a child living with mental health needs. Stigma is a barrier and discourages families from getting the help they need due to the fear of being discriminated against.
Do you know that Stigma:
| Results in inadequate insurance coverage for mental health services? |
| Results in fear, mistrust, and violence against families and children living with mental health needs? |
| Results in families and friends turning their backs on people with mental health needs? |
| Keeps people from getting needed mental health services and that people would rather tell employers they have committed a petty crime and were in jail, than admit to being in a psychiatric hospital? |
Anti-Stigma Dos and Don’ts:
Dos:
| Do use respectful language that puts the child first, such as: |
--Child with emotional, behavioral, or social needs
--Child who has schizophrenia
--Child with special mental health needs
--Child who has bipolar disorder
| Do emphasize abilities and strengths, not limitations. |
| Do tell someone if they express a stigmatizing attitude. Education and awareness are the most important actions toward eliminating stigma! |
Don’ts:
| Don’t portray successful children with disabilities as super human. |
| Don’t use generic labels such as retarded, or the mentally ill. |
| Don’t use terms like crazy, lunatic, manic-depressive, slow functioning, or normal. |
IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER:
| Every child’s mental health is important. Many children have mental health problems |
| These problems are real, painful, and can be severe |
| Mental health problems can be recognized and successfully treated |
| By working together, caring families and communities can help |
Information on this sheet adopted by FTNYS from a publication
Of National Mental Health Services Knowledge Exchange Network www.mentalhealth.org
SEEKING HELP
When to Seek Help
Parents and family members are usually the first to notice if a child has problems with emotions or behavior. Your observations, along with those of teachers and other caregivers, may lead you to seek help for your child. If you suspect a problem or have questions:
· Consult your pediatrician
· Contact a mental health professional
· Get accurate information from hotlines, libraries, or other sources
· Seek referrals from professionals
· Ask questions about treatments and services
· Talk to other families in their communities
· Connect with family network organizations
The following signs may indicate the need for professional assistance or evaluation
· Decline in school performance · feelings of worthlessness
· Poor grades despite strong efforts · recurring thoughts of suicide or death
· Regular worry or anxiety · persistent nightmares
· Repeated refusal to go to school · persistent disobedience or aggression
or take part in normal children’s · frequent temper tantrums
activities · depression, sadness or irritability
· rapidly changing mood swings · hyperactivity or fidgeting
· sleeping too much or too little
Children’s mental health problems are real, common and treatable
Untreated and unaddressed mental health problems can disrupt children’s functioning at home, school and in the community. Without services and supports, children with mental health issues are at increased risk of school failure, family conflict, substance abuse, violence, contact with the criminal justice system, and even suicide.
An estimated 90% of children who commit suicide have a mental disorder
Where to Seek Help Information and referrals regarding the types of services that are available for children may be obtained from:
· Illinois Federation of Families: (847) 265-0500 or (877) 265-0501; www.iffcmh.net
· Child’s pediatrician or school counselor
· Your local County / Community Mental Health Center
· Your local Department of Human Services
Sources: Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law (US Surgeon General’s Report, New Freedom Commission Report), National Institute of Mental Health , National Mental Health Association and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration