May 22nd discussion on social isolation and the brain

1. SOCIAL ISOLATION to INTERACTION & the BRAIN

2. “I am alone therefore no one wants to be with me. If no one wants to be with me, they are not willing to help me. If they are not willing to help me I will reject them too”

4. IF BEINGS FROM ANOTHER PLANET LANDED ON THE PLANET EARTH 50,000 YEARS AGO AND CAME BACK TODAY WHAT WILL NOT HAVE CHANGED?

6. ALIENATION

7. LONELINESS

8. STIGMA

9. SELF STIGMA

12. WHERE DOES IT BEGIN? SOCIAL ISOLATION MENTAL ILLNESS SOCIAL ANXIETY/SHYNESS POOR SOCIAL SKILLS/PERCEIVED REJECTION ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS MASS MEDIA HEALTH PROBLEMS STIGMA

15. SOME CRITICAL RESULTS OF SOCIAL ISOLATION REHOSPITALIZATION DEPRESSION PREMATURE MORBIDITY HEALTH PROBLEMS PREDICTOR OF VIOLENCE DELAYED CARE SEEKING Social Isolation

16. Study on Loneliness Psychologist John Cacioppo of the University of Chicago has been tracking the effects of loneliness. He performed a series of novel studies and reported that loneliness works in some surprising ways to compromise health. Perhaps most astonishing, in a survey he conducted, doctors themselves confided that they provide better or more complete medical care to patients who have supportive families and are not socially isolated. Living alone increases the risk of suicide for young and old alike. Lonely individuals report higher levels of perceived stress even when exposed to the same stressors as non-lonely people, and even when they are relaxing. The social interaction lonely people do have are not as positive as those of other people, hence the relationships they have do not buffer them from stress as relationships normally do. Loneliness raises levels of circulating stress hormones and levels of blood pressure. It undermines regulation of the circulatory system so that the heart muscle works harder and the blood vessels are subject to damage by blood flow turbulence. Loneliness destroys the quality and efficiency of sleep, so that it is less restorative, both physically and psychologically. They wake up more at night and spend less time in bed actually sleeping than do the nonlonely

23. MOVING FROM ISOLATION TO INTERACTION WITH PSYCH REHAB Instill Hope Individualized Services Choice and Responsibility Community Integration Skill Development Drug Free Living Recovery Journey

24. Hope - People who have psychiatric disabilities can lead productive, satisfying lives. This belief instills hope and is directly communicated through the words and actions of staff. Services will be offered that incorporate environments that support recovery, person-first language, cultural and spiritual acceptance, and practices that promote recovery.

25. FUTURE HOPE ESTABLISH TRUST LISTEN

26. Individualized Services - Each person is unique with his/her own needs, skills, culture, and aspirations. Services are stage-based, incorporate best practice, and focus on relationship building . Each person is encouraged and empowered to establish recovery goals , assess skills and abilities, identify resources and develop and implement plans relevant to his/her desires, needs and preferences .

27. Choice and Responsibility - Each person is empowered to see that they have choices and to take responsibility for directing their own recovery. Staff respects the autonomy of each person and works in a collaborative effort assisting him/her to identify choices and to evaluate all possible outcomes of their decisions . People receiving services are encouraged and expected to move forward and take calculated risks toward their journey of recovery.

28. Community Integration - The local community comprised of family, friends, businesses and citizens at large, is an important element of support for rehabilitation and recovery. People receiving services are encouraged to become part of the larger community to the fullest extent possible by taking on roles such as worker, friend, neighbor, and student. Strengthening relationships within the person’s own family is encouraged to the greatest extent possible.

29. Skill Development - People receiving services are offered education and skills relevant to meeting their recovery goals. Bridgeway supports people in skill development and provides opportunities for practice, giving feedback and encouragement. As people begin to learn and work in the larger community, reliance on mental health services gradually decreases.

30. Drug Free Living - We acknowledge that many people have substance abuse issues. With the acceptance of this fact, a holistic program of recovery is offered to help each person achieve a lifestyle free of drug and alcohol dependence. This approach allows for the individualization of services, since it meets each person at his/her stage of recovery. An assertive engagement approach is used if the person is not yet ready to confront his/her substance abuse issues. People who are in precontemplation are assisted to develop healthy living skills, lengthen the time between relapses, and build intrinsic motivation to work on recovery goals.

31. Recovery Journey - Recovery is an individuals way of living a satisfying, hopeful, and independent life. Bridgeway staff will model , support and follow each person’s recovery journey toward wellness encompassing the emotional, physical and spiritual facets of life.

34. Make It An Issue!