Press Release Page

• IS YOUR CHILD BEING BULLIED?
  Tips for Going Back to School
• TAKE ACTION AGAINST BULLYING!
  Back to School Tips from the Mental Health America of Indiana
• IS YOUR CHILD A BULLY?
• Alcohol and Your Health: Where Do You Draw the Line?
• Community Connections Honors Employers and Employees During Disabilities Month Celebration
• Building the Connections: Mental Health & Aging Conference
• As Threat of Terrorism Continues, Americans Look for Psychological Support
• Community Connections Relocates Office; Plans Open House
• New School Year; Old Patterns Begin to Emerge
  
• Mental Health Association Announces Sports Gridiron Plans
  
• Back to Campus: Tips For Parents & College Students
• Mental Health Association CEO Applauds, Encourages Federal Role In Mental Health Reform
• MHAI Offers Tips for Coping With the Anniversary of September 11
  Children and Adults Must Be Mindful of Their Mental Health
• Mental Health Official to Serve as Panelist During ISBA Forum
• At The Crossroads In America: Addiction
• MHAI Testifies before Indiana Mental Health Commission
• 5th Annual Conference on Infant Mental Health
• President's Commission Offers Remedy for Ailing Mental Health System Mental Health America of Indiana Calls on Policymakers To Move Toward Change
• The 2003 Indiana Statewide Transition Conference
• Mental Health In The Workplace: How It Affects America's Bottom Line
• Creating a Stigma-Free Workplace
• Every Day Tips to Improve Your Mental Health
• Coping with War and Terrorism at the Workplace
• Juvenile Justice: Rehabilitation or Imprisonment Seminar Planned
• McKee to Lead Merged Community Connections Program and
  Mental Health Association in Wayne County
• Helping Our Children Deal With War
• Mental Health Advocates "Ring" Support During State House Rally
• Groups Call For Review Of Doc Policy Regarding Mentally Ill Inmates' Treatment
• Mental Health Association Supports Bill For Parity For Substance Abuse Services; Bill Moving To Senate
• Mental Health Experts Provide Tips for Coping With Terrorist Threat
• Mental Health Association Supports Increased Alcohol Tax
• Groups to Ask General Assembly to Invest in Mental Health & Addiction Treatment
• Mental Health America of Indiana Adds New Program
• Indiana Addictions Issues Coalition Lauds President's Proposed Treatment Plan
• Is It A Diet Or An Eating Disorder?
• Mental Health Association Ranked Top Health Charity
  
• Indiana Forensics Select Roundtable Develops Legislative Agenda
• Mental Health Association Offers Tips on Coping with Holiday Stress
• Prescription Drug Abuse Can Lead to Addiction: Treatment That Works is Available for Not New Problem
• Elder Abuse Becomes Growing Concern in African-American Community
• Make time to listen, make time to talk
• Colleges Must Take Action to Reduce Suicide Among Students
• Golf Outing to Benefit Indiana Mental Health Memorial Foundation
• Indiana Sports Gridiron Honors Celebrities, Former Legislator
• Addictions Issues Coalition Director Named at State Mental Health Association
• Trauma Researcher: September, 11 Tragedy Reveals Mental Health Impact Mixed
• Anxiety Disorder Affects Children & Adults
• Mental Health Symposium to Focus on 9/11 Aftermath
• Mental Health Association Offers Tips to Recognize Child & Adolescent Depression

 

Monday, August 2, 2004

IS YOUR CHILD BEING BULLIED?
Tips for Going Back to School

For More Information Contact:
Jill Vandegriff, (317) 459-6638

No student should be afraid to go to school because of bullying, and no parent should be worried that their child may be bullied.

Where Bullying Happens
      The claim is sometimes made that most bullying takes place on the way to school, not at school. However, research shows that two to three times as many students are bullied at school compared to those who are bullied on the way to school. Approximately 40 to 75 percent of bullying takes place during breaks - in the schoolyard, in the corridors, at recess or in more secluded places, like bathrooms. It can also take place during classes unless the teacher is attentive and cracks down on any tendencies toward bullying. This puts particular responsibility on school leaders and teachers.

      According to Stephen C. McCaffrey, President and CEO Of the Mental Health America of Indiana, "It is clear that the behavior, attitudes, and routines of teachers and other school personnel have a decisive effect on the extent of bullying in the individual school or class." McCaffrey continued that parents, caregivers, and supervisors in other places such as playgrounds, sports teams or youth clubs, also need to be alert to detect bullying or tendencies toward bullying.

Who Gets Bullied
      Research gives a fairly clear picture of those who are potential victims of bullying. They tend to have a least one, or usually several, of the characteristics listed below. While the lists only indicate main trends, victims may be quite different. Potential victims of bullying can be divided into two main groups: passive or provocative victims.

      Passive victims are not aggressive or teasing in their manner and do not actively provoke others. Passive victims, through behavior and attitude are a bit anxious and unsure of themselves. As a result, they are quiet, sensitive, have a negative self-image, are physically weaker than their bully, and have few or no friends.

      Provocative victims are the least common. They are usually quick tempered and try to retaliate if harassed but often without success. They are restless, clumsy, immature, and try to bully weaker students. Some may be characterized as hyperactive and often have reading/writing problems. These victims may be disliked by adults because of their irritating behavior.

      Children who are bullied may withdraw socially, exhibit sadness, complain of illness, dislike school and skip class, and may express hopelessness.

What Can Parents Do?
      If you suspect or it is obvious that other students are bullying your child and the school has not already informed you of the situation, then it is important that you contact the school immediately. Parents should have the right to expect the school to take this seriously and to investigate the facts in the case. This will usually involve talks with you and your child, with the suspected bully and other students in the class. Also, if appropriate, talks with a number of other parents who have information may participate. Once the facts are on the table, a plan to end the bullying should be developed.
      According to McCaffrey, "Parents and schools should take bullying seriously. Investigate the facts and work together for a healthy solution."

Where Do I Go?
      For more tips or information related to bullying, visit samhsa.gov or modelprograms.samhsa.gov for specific bullying programs.

      The Mental Health America of Indiana is composed of 60 local chapters and the State Association, making it the largest in the nation. It works to improve the mental health of all Hoosiers through advocacy, education, research and service.

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Monday, August 2, 2004

TAKE ACTION AGAINST BULLYING!
Back to School Tips from the Mental Health America of Indiana

For More Information Contact:
Jill Vandegriff, (317) 459-6638

Every day in our schools and communities, children are teased, threatened or tormented by bullies. Bullying is a problem that creates a climate of fear, that affects the whole school, and in some cases, the entire community.

"When we fail to recognize and stop bullying behavior as it occurs, we actually promote violence," said Stephen C. McCaffrey, President and CEO Of the Mental Health America of Indiana. "We are saying to the victim, 'You are not worth protecting.'"

What is Bullying?
      Bullying involves repeated acts of physical, emotional or social behavior that are intentional, controlling, and hurtful. Bullying is a learned behavior, evident as early as two years of age. Bullying is defined by a power imbalance between the bully and the target.
      Bullying can be either direct or indirect. Direct bullying usually is seen and felt readily like pushing and tripping. Indirect bullying, such as deliberate exclusion, name calling, etc., is much more difficult to identify, often is more difficult to remedy, and should be clearly seen as different from direct bullying. Boys are typically engaged in direct bullying and girls in indirect bullying, but that is not always the case.

Why Stop Bullying?
      Bullying interferes with learning in school and lessens the enjoyment of activities. Children who are bullied may be absent from school more often than children who are not bullied. Those same children may have higher dropout rates in high school. Targets may grow socially insecure and anxious with decreased self-esteem and increased depression rates, even into adulthood.
      Bullying children may become bullying adults and are more likely to become child and spouse abusers. The longer the bullying lasts, the harder it is to change. Bullies identified by age 8 are six times more likely to have a criminal conviction by age 24. Bullying may be linked to other delinquent, criminal and gang activities, such as shoplifting, drug abuse and vandalism.

Where Do I Go?
For more tips or information related to bullying, visit samhsa.gov or modelprograms.samhsa.gov for specific bullying programs.

The Mental Health America of Indiana is composed of 60 local chapters and the State Association, making it the largest in the nation. It works to improve the mental health of all Hoosiers through advocacy, education, research and service.

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Monday, August 2, 2004

IS YOUR CHILD A BULLY?
Tips for Going Back to School

For More Information Contact:
Jill Vandegriff, (317) 459-6638

Generally, we call it bullying when a person repeatedly says or does hurtful things to another person who has problems defending himself or herself. Direct bullying usually involves hitting, kicking or making insults, offensive comments or threats. Indirect bullying -- excluding someone, or speaking ill of someone - can be just as painful as direct bullying.

How Much Bullying Goes On?
"How much bullying takes place in our schools and other youth environments depends on the role that committed adults will play in the their schools, families and communities," said Stephen C. McCaffrey, President and CEO of the Mental Health America of Indiana.

In a 1998 national sample of 15,000 U.S. students in students grade 6 through 10 found the prevalence of moderate or frequent bullying -- either the bully or the person being bullied -- at 30 percent. Students in grades 6 to 8 reported a greater frequency of bullying than students in grades 9 to 10.

Who Bullies?
Children and young people who are potential bullies have a number of common features. These features are part of a main trend identifying one of more characteristics.
While it is often presumed that bullies are anxious and unsure of themselves underneath their tough surface, research has found that bullies are characterized by either unusually low or about average levels of anxiety and insecurity. Their self image is about average or even relatively positive.

Characteristics of children and teens who bully include attitudes or behaviors that are:

• Aggressive, nasty, spiteful and generally in opposition.
• Show a need to dominate or manipulate others.
• Like to insult, push around or tease others.

What Can I Do to Prevent Bullying?
You will need to work closely with the school or organization that has identified your child as a prospective bully. You should act quickly for the sake of the victim and your child. Children who are aggressive toward their peers are at high risk for anti-social development. Parents should:

• Make it clear that you will not accept continuation of the behavior exhibited.
• Set up rules for interaction and consequences for not meeting those rules.
• Engage your child in an activity to use the energy in bullying in more constructive ways.
• If they behavior persists, contact a mental health professional for more help.

Where Do I Go?
For more tips or information related to bullying, visit samhsa.gov or modelprograms.samhsa.gov for specific bullying programs.

The Mental Health America of Indiana is composed of 60 local chapters and the State Association, making it the largest in the nation. It works to improve the mental health of all Hoosiers through advocacy, education, research and service.

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Monday, March 29, 2004

NATIONAL ALCOHOL SCREENING DAY EVENTS PLANNED THROUGHOUT CENTRAL INDIANA
"Alcohol and Your Health: Where Do You Draw the Line?"

For More Information Contact:
Jill Vandegriff, (317) 459-6638

Nearly one third of adults engage in at-risk drinking patterns and may not even know it. Each of us needs to know just where that line is so that we have the information to safeguard our health. On April 8 the sixth annual National Alcohol Screening Day (NASD) will give Hoosiers the opportunity to learn more about at-risk drinking behaviors, alcohol abuse, and dependence, if not for yourself, then for someone you care about.

What's a Screening Like?
First, and most importantly, all screenings are free and anonymous. The screening is an opportunity to: learn more about alcohol and your health, complete a brief screening questionnaire, view a video, take educational materials, speak one-on-one with a health professional.

You do not have to complete the screening questionnaire. If you complete it, you will have a short interview with a health professional to discuss your questionnaire results and any symptoms you or others may be experiencing. The health professional may provide you with a referral list to treatment centers in your area after this interview.

Sample Screening Questions may include: How often do you have a drink containing alcohol? How many drinks containing alcohol do you have on a typical day when you are drinking? How often do you have six or more drinks on one occasion?

National Alcohol Screening Day is an annual event that provides information about alcohol and health as well as free, anonymous screening for alcohol-use disorders. Event sites are located in community, college, primary health care, military and employment settings. The program is designed to provide outreach, screening and education about alcohol's effects on health for the general public. The theme, "Alcohol and Health, Where do you draw the line?" focuses on a broad health message that is applicable to anyone who drinks alcohol. NASD is a program of Screening for Mental Health (SMH), and is conducted in collaboration with the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

"With the number of young adults and teens who have recently been involved in tragic, alcohol-related events, this screening opportunity is welcome," said Lisa Hutcheson, Director of the Indiana Coalition to Reduce Underage Drinking.

Prior Year Results
NASD 2003 was a huge success! For the first time ever, the number of screening sites surpassed 3,200, an increase of 63% over the previous year. Sites that participated reported phenomenal success with over 100,000 people attending NASD screening events nationwide.