This podcast episode honors Mental Health Awareness Month with a user-friendly introduction to mental health basics for SLPs as well as students and clients.
One of the most important goals of the episode is to help reduce the stigma around mental health by talking about it openly and raising awareness. The episode also highlights essential tools for accessing mental health support.
As the episode continues, it describes common mental health warning signs and symptoms, including:
- Changes in sleeping habits
- Changes in eating habits
- Changes in social interactions
- Changes in substance use
- Excessive sadness
- Excessive worrying
- Excessive anger
- Fatigue
- Mood swings
- Avoiding social activities
- Hallucinations
- Difficulty concentrating
- Physical symptoms (e.g., headaches, stomachaches) without obvious physical causes
It’s important to be aware that for children, symptoms may often be behavioral, including:
- School avoidance
- Hyperactivity
- Nightmares
- Meltdowns
- Changes in academic performance
- Behavior that seems aggressive
The episode also notes that SLPs are likely to work with students and clients who are at increased risk for mental health challenges.
Throughout the episode, the discussion emphasizes that SLPs are not mental health clinicians, and that it’s necessary to seek professional support if we have mental health concerns for ourselves or for others. However, SLPs have the ability to positively impact the mental health of our students and clients by offering safety and acceptance.
The episode closes with a reminder that’s ok to prioritize and work on our own mental health.
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