Did you know according to the Children's Defense Fund, (2010), 50% of children in the welfare system have mental health issues.
Click the link below for more information:
http://www.icareguam.org/statistics/
Monday, December 23, 2013
Saturday, December 14, 2013
Traditions, rituals have their benefits - www.icareguam.org
PDN Article: December 14, 2013
This is the time of the year when family traditions and rituals
are most celebrated and a great opportunity for young people to learn about
them and to practice these traditions and rituals.
Tradition is the process of passing on culture or customs from
one generation to another. Family traditions connect young people to their
faith, culture, family, and their identity as to who they are. Many family
traditions and rituals are fun things to do.
These things can be patterns of behavior of activities that
families do together on a regular basis or a certain food that a family likes.
They are purposeful activities repeated together as a family and when done
right, family traditions create good feelings and special moments to remember.
Enjoying this time together as a family will create positive experiences and
memories that would last a lifetime for young people.
Tradition can serve as reminders of events that have shaped your
family and your children of things you have done together. Each time you do
that activity or event, it reminds you of all the experiences you've had on
previous times of that event or activity.
• Personal identity: Family traditions and rituals have
numerous benefits to young people, one of which, it provides a source of
identity. Tradition tells a story about a family. It can teach children where
their family came from or give them insights into their cultural or religious
history.
Traditions, and the stories that they tell about one's family,
play an important role in shaping a child's personal identity. Studies have
found that children who have an intimate knowledge of their family's history
are typically more well-adjusted and self-confident than children who don't.
Identity formation is most especially important for a teenager.
It helps to know you "belong" when you are trying to figure out who
you are, which is a major task of the adolescent. A family that encourages a
teen to be a part of the family and its traditions provides a strong foundation
for teens to stand on when they're searching and defining their sense of self.
• Sense of belonging: Family
traditions give every member of the family a stronger sense of belonging. Being
a part of a family is more that living in the same home or having the same last
name. It is about relationships and family bonds. Since family traditions are
something you do together, they strengthen the bonds you have between each other,
creating a stronger sense of belonging to the family.
Studies have also found that families that engage in frequent
traditions report stronger connection and unity than families that haven't
established rituals together. Traditions help family members get to know and
trust each other more intimately, and create a bond that comes from feeling
that one is part of something unique and special.
• Sense of security: Family
traditions offer young people a sense of security. Every day, young people face
some difficult issues. Knowing that he or she is secure and has a family to
turn to is a powerful tool to use against negative peer pressure, drug-use
influences, going through losses, etc.
Family traditions and rituals can provide comfort and security
to children, even if a main source of their stress comes from within the family
itself. For example, a study found that "families of alcoholics are less
likely to transmit alcoholism to the next generation if they maintain the
family dinnertime ritual and do not allow a parent's alcoholism to interfere
with their dinner time together."
• Family values: Another
important purpose of traditions and rituals, is to teach and reinforce values,
whether religious or secular. Through daily family prayer, the importance of
faith is reinforced. Through nightly bedtime stories, the value of education,
reading and lifelong learning is implanted; and through regular family dinners
or activities, the importance of family unity is instilled.
Showing young people what having the ability to love is all
about, happens naturally when you spend quality time together -- like doing a
traditional family activity.
Guam has many rich family traditions and rituals. A few for
example are: the novenas for Baby Jesus during Christmas, which many families
celebrate together and special meals are prepared. Another is when loved ones
passed away, their lives are celebrated by families and friends coming together
for memorial service, such as attending Masses and the rosary.
Many family traditions have been passed down through multiple
generations. They can be simple everyday traditions like family dinners,
holiday get-togethers and bedtime stories. These positive childhood memories
can help make your child a happier and more generous adult.
Continuing family traditions and rituals in your own family is a
great way to teach children about your family's cultural and religious history,
thus adding to their personal identity. Do not make the mistake of thinking
that because your child is older now, you should no longer adhere to the
rituals that help define your family. You still need them and so does your
children.
Annie F.B. Unpingco, LCSW, is administrator of I Famagu'on-ta at
the Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center.
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Build spiritual values in our children - www.icareguam.org
PDN Article: Dec 6, 2013
Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, a Swiss-American psychiatrist who's well-known for her work on near-death studies and on death and dying, theorized that all human beings are composed of four quadrants. This four-quadrants model consists of the physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual parts of the person.
Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, a Swiss-American psychiatrist who's well-known for her work on near-death studies and on death and dying, theorized that all human beings are composed of four quadrants. This four-quadrants model consists of the physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual parts of the person.
The
physical quadrant emphasizes one's physical body, health and the need for
physical, loving touches for growth and development throughout one's life. The
emotional quadrant includes one's emotions and feelings that allow one to
experience life.
The
intellectual quadrant is about cognition, ability to reason and the drive for
knowledge. The spiritual quadrant is the sense of self, set of values and
beliefs, quest for meaning in one's life and the capacity to reflect and
connect with the world.
All
four quadrants are important and the task is to maintain a balance between all
four. If one or more quadrants are neglected over a period of time, problems
may start surfacing for the individual.
A
particular quadrant that is often neglected and needs to be nurtured,
especially nowadays, is the spiritual quadrant. This quadrant is very important
in the young person's life. It is about making sense of one's life, having a
deep sense of worth and understanding one's unique role and how one fits with
others and the environment.
Spiritual
values
Spiritual
values were a key motivator for pioneer work with children and youths in the
19th and 20th centuries. Organizations such as the YMCA and the Boy Scouts and
Girls Scouts were founded on spiritual values and their leaders were motivated
to bring these understandings into young people's lives.
With
attention to spirituality, children and young people are able to develop an
integrated sense of self, self-respect and a healthy identity. Without this
opportunity, children and youths are more likely to be easily swayed by peers
and persuasive ideological approaches because they have no core beliefs and
value systems to act as a compass or provide direction.
Providing
opportunities for children and young people to express themselves through art,
poetry, music, sports, education and community events help inspire them to
focus on the higher or deeper aspects of themselves and to explore and develop
their spiritual qualities.
Powerful
experiences
The
sense of achievement in conquering fear on a high-rope course or paddling a
canoe through difficult waters can be powerful experiences and, with skilled
instruction, can help children and young people gain a sense of worth and
self-esteem.
Children
and young people can learn to have a sense of calm within themselves by
providing them with opportunities to meditate, to pray, to reflect and
experience quiet moments. They can learn to experience these moments as
opportunities to retreat and recharge so that they can engage in life in a more
creative way.
This is
especially important for young people who may be distracted, distressed or
displaced, who need to find a substantial anchor within themselves.
We need
to teach the "butterfly effect" -- that a small action somewhere can
have massive results elsewhere and that people should never underestimate the
effect they have on each other. A person can transmit something through a
phrase, an action or a word, which can either help young people or turn them
away.
Spirituality
is about being fully human. It is allowing children and young people the
opportunity to learn about themselves at the deepest level, to acquire skills
to have calm and energy within themselves, and to discover their unique
contribution to those around them and to wider society.
Annie
F.B. Unpingco, LCSW, is administrator of I Famagu'on-ta at the Guam Behavioral
Health and Wellness Center.
Saturday, November 30, 2013
Holiday season can trigger depression - www.icareguam.org
PDN Article: Nov. 30, 2013
As the holiday season approaches each year, more and more people
suffer from holiday depression. Holidays are usually joyful occasions, filled
with celebrations, parties and social gatherings with family and friends, but
for many people, it is a time filled with sadness, loneliness and anxiety. The
causes for holiday depression are as varied as the individuals experiencing it.
For many, the holiday season disrupts the normal routine of life
and can result in a sense of chaos and a feeling of being unsettled. The kids
are on school break, there is more shopping than usual that needs to be done,
presents to buy, work parties to attend, family obligations and financial
stress can contribute to feelings of being overwhelmed and increased tensions.
Although the holidays are about spending time with family and
friends, this in itself can be stressful and cause depression. For those who
have no family around or have a family system that is tumultuous and negative,
the holiday season makes it much harder and unpleasant.
Family problems are often amplified during the holidays. This
time can be especially difficult for those that have lost loved ones or are
going through the anniversary of a loss or traumatic event, which can make
unpleasant memories come back and dampen the spirits.
The elderly who have lost spouses and friends may find
themselves struggling with depression as they remember life as it once was and
trying to come to grips with how it is now. They may also be experiencing
depression during this time as a result if being neglected or lonely.
Depression and suicides generally occur at a higher ratio during
the holidays than at any other time of the year.
If you have had depression in the past, you need to be
especially careful when coping with holiday stress. People who do not view
themselves as depressed may develop stress responses such as: headaches,
excessive drinking, overeating and difficulty sleeping.
Here are some ideas to find joy and balance during the holidays
and reduce your stress.
• If you suffer from loneliness or holiday depression, do
not be alone for the holidays. Reach out and volunteer your time to help the
needy, feed the homeless and be around people.
• Attend a holiday celebration such as a church service or
attend a musical activity to warm the heart.
• Acknowledge your feelings of loss of a loved one and
realize it is OK to feel sad and take time to cry and express your feelings,
and then work your way to finding some joy in the memories of your loved one.
• Be realistic and forget the unimportant stuff. Don't get
hung up on what the holidays are supposed to be like or how you are supposed to
feel. Take things as they come. It is OK.
• Try to accept family members and friends as they are even
if they don't live up to your expectations, they may be feeling the effects of
holiday stress and depression, too.
• Stick to a budget, consider doing something different
such as giving homemade gifts.
• Learn to say "No". Agreeing to do things you
really do not want to can leave you feeling resentful and overwhelmed.
• Plan ahead. Schedule days for shopping, baking and other
activities.
• Lean on your friends and family members that are
positive, encouraging and supportive.
• Do not abandon healthy habits such as healthy meals,
snacks and exercise.
• Make time to pray, relax, meditate, listen to soothing
music, sip a cup of tea or take a nice walk.
• Seek professional help if you find yourself feeling
persistently sad or anxious, unable to sleep, irritable and unable to face
routine chores.
• Call the local crisis hotline at 647-8833 if you need to
talk to someone or make an appointment with a counselor.
Annie F.B. Unpingco, LCSW, is administrator of I Famagu'on-ta at
the Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center.
Friday, November 22, 2013
Anxiety disorders require treatment - www.icareguam.org
PDN Article: Nov. 22, 2013
Anxiety is a normal human emotion that
everyone experiences at times when faced with a problem, such as worrying about
money, family relationships, a problem at work or school, taking an exam, or
making an important decision. Anxiety disorders, however, can cause such
distress that it interferes with the person's ability to function with everyday
tasks.
For persons with anxiety disorders, worry and
fear are constant, excessive, overwhelming and can be debilitating.
Anxiety disorders include the following types
of anxiety:
• generalized anxiety disorder;
• panic disorder;
• post-traumatic stress disorder;
• obsessive-compulsive disorder; and
• social phobias.
Generalized anxiety disorder involves extreme
and unrealistic worry about things, even when there is little or no reason to
worry about.
Panic disorder involves sudden attacks of fear
without warning that lasts for several minutes. It occurs repeatedly. Panic
attacks occur at unpredictable times and some of the symptoms resemble that of
the person having a heart attack.
Post-traumatic stress disorder is a condition
that can develop following a traumatic and terrifying event such as a physical
or sexual assault, a tragic loss of a loved one, serving in combat or as a
result of a disaster. People with PTSD often have lasting and frightening
thoughts and memories of the event that affects their ability to function.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a condition
involving constant disturbing thoughts or fears that cause the person to
perform certain rituals or routines. The disturbing thoughts are called
obsessions and the rituals are called compulsions. An example is a person with
an unreasonable fear of germs constantly washes his or her hands.
Social anxiety disorder, also known as social
phobia, involves overwhelming worry and strong feelings of being judged by
others and of being embarrassed. This fear often gets in the way of going to
school or work or doing other everyday things.
Specific phobias are intense fear of a
specific object or situation, such as snakes, heights or flying. The fear is
usually inappropriate to the situation and may cause the person to avoid common
everyday situations.
General symptoms
General symptoms of anxiety disorders include
the following:
• muscle tension and inability to be calm
and relax;
• unexplained bodily pains and feeling
tired all the time;
• problems sleeping and nightmares;
• difficulty concentrating;
• feelings of panic, fear and uneasiness;
• uncontrollable, obsessive thoughts;
• ritualistic behaviors, such as repeated
hand washing, checking if the door is locked;
• cold or sweaty hands and/or feet;
• shortness of breath and palpitations;
• numbness or tingling in the hands or
feet;
• trouble controlling their constant
worries;
• dry mouth and trouble swallowing; and
• using the bathroom a lot.
The exact cause of anxiety disorders is
unknown, but like some forms of mental illness, personal weakness or poor
upbringing are not the causes. Researchers have found that several parts of the
brain are involved in fear and anxiety.
Combination of factors
As research continues on mental illness, it is
becoming clear that many of these disorders are caused by a combination of
factors including changes in the brain and environmental stress. Trauma or
significant events may trigger an anxiety disorder in people who have an
inherited susceptibility to developing the disorder.
By learning more about fear and anxiety in the
brain, scientists may be able to create better treatments.
If you, or someone you know, is experiencing
any of these anxiety symptoms, talk to your doctor or a mental health
professional about it. A thorough exam is necessary to make sure another
physical problem isn't causing the symptoms.
Anxiety disorders are generally treated with
psychotherapy, medication or both, and early identification and treatment is
essential.
In helping children cope early on with fear
and anxiety, encourage them to ask questions and to talk about fears they may
have. Listen to what they say. Communicate with your children in simple ways
that they can understand.
In addressing death, be honest and tell them
the person has died rather than has "gone to sleep," or children may
become afraid of going to sleep. Provide comfort and assurance that address
their specific fears.
It is OK to admit you can't answer all their
questions and then find someone who can help.
Annie F.B. Unpingco,
LCSW, is administrator of I Famagu'on-ta at the Guam Behavioral Health and
Wellness Center.
Friday, November 8, 2013
Watch for signs of depression in kids - www.icareguam.org
PDN Article: Nov. 8, 2013
In today's world, toughness and glamour rule,
especially if you are a teenager. Teens who buy into the myth that image is
everything risk losing it all when they experience a letdown, a rejection or a
broken heart.
Teenage girls are more vulnerable to this
serious form of the blues than are teen boys. The majority of depressed
adolescents are teenagers, girls between the ages of 12 to 19. Girls are more
open emotionally and tend to talk about it more. Boys, for the most part, have
more physical outlets for stress and emotions than do girls.
Depression in contemporary teenage girls are
fourfold:
• the zooming divorce rate;
• the message our culture sends about
sex;
• the increase of violence and abuse
against children and women; and
• increasing teen addiction to drugs and
alcohol.
A big factor in depression in young people is
the breakdown of the family or divorce. It's hard on teenagers when their
primary support system, the family, is gone.
For a female, she gets a lot of identity from
her father and he isn't there to guide her or talk to her or tell her how
pretty she is. Missing a mother figure can be just as terribly damaging to
young people.
Attitudes about sex are a toxic societal
factor driving teen girls into depression. The culture sends a mixed message to
girls. Sex is something sacred, but on TV, sex is what's selling and there's
too much pressure to be attractive to the opposite sex.
Over-emphasizing female sexuality causes girls
to focus on their bodies, rather than on their intelligence, ability or
spirituality. This lends to girls finding fault with themselves and each other
if their appearance doesn't measure up.
Body image
The gold standard for an adolescent girl is to
be slim and sexy. Girls have become more likely today than ever before to
internalize society's message and "scapegoat" peers who don't meet
that standard.
Failure to be thin and beautiful can lead to
depression in teen girls who place exaggerated value on appearance. Teen girls'
concern with appearance may occur in part because looks seem to be all society
recognizes them for. This also can lead to eating disorders and self-mutilation
in girls who are trying to regain the control over themselves that they feel
they have lost.
Girls already brainwashed to believe that
their bodies are their most valuable commodity are likely to become involved in
casual sex, which in turn can trigger depression.
One cause of depression in girls is peer
pressure to fit in. Their friends are having sex, so they get involved in sex
out of loneliness and wanting to be accepted. They give sex to get love, and if
the relationship ends, they're thrown into depression.
Depression treatable
Depression is widespread among our teens,
especially girls, who are most vulnerable to peer pressure. The assuring news
about depression is that it's treatable.
Watch for signs, such as:
• a marked downturn in mood;
• negativity;
• sleeplessness or sleeping too much;
• a drastic change in eating habits; and
• self-isolation.
These symptoms usually last for more than two
weeks. A lot of parents don't realize what's going on and they think it's
normal moodiness.
A network of educators and professionals in
our community can serve as a safety net for young people in the brink of an
emotional breakdown, but the primary responsibility for our young people rests
with the parents.
Parents, be aware, get to know your children
and talk with them. And when you sense something isn't right, make the decision
for your child to seek professional help.
Annie F.B. Unpingco,
LCSW, is administrator of I Famagu'on-ta at the Guam Behavioral Health and
Wellness Center.
Friday, November 1, 2013
Depression serious; needs treatment - www.icareguam.org
PDN Article: Nov. 1, 2013
Are you sad
most of the time and take no pleasure in things you used to enjoy? Do you feel
very tired, helpless and hopeless? Having trouble sleeping, trouble working and
not wanting to eat? Have you felt this way for a long time?
Everyone feels
sad sometimes, but these feelings usually go away after a few days. When you
have depression, you have trouble functioning with daily life for weeks at a
time. Depression affects different people in different ways.
Children with
depression may: express feeling sick, refuse to go to school, cling to a parent
or worry that a parent may die. Older children may be irritable and get into
trouble at school.
It may be
difficult to accurately diagnose a young person with depression, because these
signs can also be part of normal mood swings associated with certain childhood
stages.
Women
experience depression more often than men and their symptoms are typically
feelings of sadness, worthlessness and guilt. Men with depression are more
likely to be very tired, irritable and even angry. Older adults may have less
obvious symptoms, and more likely have medical conditions such as heart disease
or strokes, which may contribute to the depression.
Signs to watch out for
These are signs
of depression to look out for:
• not
being able to concentrate or remember details;
• feeling
sad and "empty";
• feeling
very tired;
• feeling
hopeless, irritable, anxious and guilty;
• not able
to sleep, or sleeping too much;
• Oovereating,
or not wanting to eat at all;
• aches or
pains, headaches, cramps or digestive problems;
• loss of
interest in favorite activities; and
• thoughts
of suicide and suicide attempts.
According to
the National Institute of Mental Health, several factors or a combination of
factors may contribute to depression. Individuals with a family history of
depression may be more likely to develop depression that those who do not have
the illness. Individuals with depression have different brain chemistry than
those without the illness. Any stressful situation such as loss of a loved one
or a difficult relationship may trigger depression.
Illness needs
treatment
Depression is a
serious illness and needs treatment. Treatment for depression starts by
visiting a doctor or a mental health professional for an exam or lab test to
rule out other conditions that may have the same symptoms as depression. A
complete personal history and history of the symptoms need to be obtained to
determine factors contributing to the depression as well as for treatment
purposes.
Medications
such as antidepressants can work well to treat depression, but it takes several
weeks for the medication to start working. Antidepressants can have the
following side effects:
• headache;
• nausea;
and
• difficulty
sleeping, among others.
But most side
effects lessen over time. Anyone, but especially young people, taking
antidepressants should be under a doctor's careful supervision.
Psychotherapy
can also help treat depression by teaching new ways of thinking and behaving,
and changing habits that may be contributing to depression. Therapy can help
the person understand and work through difficult situations or relationships
that may be causing the depression or making it worse.
If you know
someone who has depression, help him or her see a doctor or mental health
professional. Talk to the person, listen patiently, and carefully. Offer
support and encouragement, and let the person know that with treatment and
time, the depression will lift.
Never ignore
comments about suicide without letting the person's doctor, therapist or
someone who could help know.
Annie F.B. Unpingco, LCSW, is administrator of I Famagu'on-ta at
the Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center.