Nicole’s desire is to bring awareness to significant issues
that have the ability to affect anyone.
Most victims of sexual assault are young, but some 20
percent are over the age of 30. Almost half (44 percent) are
less than 18 years old, and 15 percent of all sexual assault
victims are younger than age 12.
Haley, J.& Stein, W. (2005) The truth about abuse. New York,
NY: Facts on file.
Each year, women experience about 4.8 million intimate partner
related physical assaults and rapes. Men are the victims of
about 2.9 million intimate partner related physical assaults.
Understanding Intimate Partner Violence, Facts Sheet,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, on-line, 2006.
Depressive disorders are common; they affect an estimated 9.5%
of adult Americans in a given year; or about 20.9 million
people. Depression: A Treatable Illness, NIH
Publication No. 03-5299, on-line, Printed March 2003 &
Reprinted December 2004.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How prevalent is mental health issues?
Individuals have displayed an increase in experiencing mental
health problems. According to the National Institute of Mental
Health (2009), “Mental disorders are common in the United
States and internationally. An estimated 26.2 percent of
Americans ages 18 and older---about one in four
adults---suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given
year.”
Statistics. National Institute of Mental Health, on-line, May
2009.
What populations are at-risk for displaying a pattern of
behavioral problems?
a-children and adolescents who are products of or witnessed
domestic violence and/or abuse.
b-children and adolescents of substance abusive parents
c-children and adolescents who are being bullied
d-children and adolescents who are products of divorce or
separation
e-children and adolescents who have experienced a loss
What are signs of healthy parenting?
According to Hunt 2005, the parent(s) should:
a-provide a safe environment
b-establish a strong faith foundation
c-demonstrate appropriate affection, love, hugs, etc.
consistently as well as balanced praising and disciplining
d-identify roles of each family member
e-participate in extracurricular and educational activities
f-on-going modeling of appropriate behavior desired and
g-respect for the child and/or adolescent.
Is stress a major concern for individuals?
Yes, individuals have experienced an increase in stress with
one of the factors being the recession. “In a 2007 survey of
Americans found that one-third of people are living with
extreme stress.” Stress: Know The Signs. American
Psychological Association (APA)
Stress Survey, 2007, Mental Health America.
What are common signs of an individual experiencing
abuse?
a-poor social, communication and interaction skills
b-hypersensitivity
c-crying spells
d-timid or shy
e-experience flashbacks or intrusive memories of traumatic act
f- display outbursts of anger or numbing of emotions
g-attachment issues
h-easily startled
i-unexplained bruises, broken bones, lose of weight, etc.
j-sleep disturbances (i.e., nightmares or bedwetting) and
somatic complaints (i.e., head or stomach
aches)
Do men experience domestic violence?
Yes, According to the U.S. Justice Department, as many as
24,000 men per year report being physically assaulted by
intimate partners. Yet this accounts for only
an estimated 2 to 5 percent of the battering in abusive
relationships (Berry, 2000).
Is emotional or verbal abuse damaging?
Yes, “Psychological abuse puts the victim at risk for a wide
range of problems and symptoms, including shame, low
self-esteem, depression, suicidal behavior, anxiety and
dissociation” (Allen, 2005).
What are some ways to maintaining a healthy emotional
well-being?
a-psychotherapy (i.e., enroll in counseling)
b-reconnect with or solidify church involvement
c-journal
d-relaxation techniques (i.e., breathing exercises)
e-listen to calming music
f-meditation and/or prayer
g-drawing
h-guided imagery
i-exercise
Can an individual’s faith impact their mental health?
Yes, faith has a positive effect on one’s mental and emotional
well-being. Children and adults have reported that when they
pray and belief God that they sense a decrease in anxiety,
worry or fear.
Is suicide a common problem?
Yes, “In 2004, suicide was the eleventh leading cause of death
in the U.S. accounting for 32,439 deaths.”
Suicide in the U.S.: Statistics and Prevention. National
Institute of Mental Health, on-line, May 2008.
