Mental health workshop at Shasta College addresses self-stigma

Sept. 10--REDDING, California -- In honor of National Suicide Prevention Week, Art with Impact, a San Francisco-based nonprofit, and the California Mental Health Service Act Program hosted a workshop at Shasta College that addressed self-stigma against mental illness through film and engagement.

"The biggest obstacle to suicide prevention in the U.S. is stigma," Shasta College counselor Becky Bogener said.

She said suicide is the second-leading cause of death among college students and she sees students struggling with suicidal thoughts every week. Bogener said she uses a screening tool and that at least 30 percent of the time, the students she has seen in her office have indicated suicidal thoughts.

Bogener said she recognizes the need for mental health services in the area and tries to heighten awareness about mental health every year on campus. She said this year's event was interesting because she believes movies are "a good medium to get across points."

Skye Christensen, facilitator with Art with Impact, started the workshop by addressing stigmas associated with mental illness.

"Mental health is personal," she said. "You're going to be an expert on you."

She said even though people know themselves best, it's still important to seek services that are available to them. Christensen opened the forum and asked, "How are mentally ill people portrayed in the media?"

"Villains," "victims," "dangerous," and "bright" were just as a few of the terms they felt defined being mentally ill.

Steven Keyser, a local mental health advocate who is also on the Shasta County Mental Health Alcohol and Drug Advisory Board, said the terms associated with mental illness are terms associated with "misery" that makes him feel worse. He said that, unfortunately, negative images associated with mental illness are more popular.

The movies shown at the forum were independent short films that addressed some form of mental illness and dealt with an array of topics such as cultural stigma, depression, suicide and substance abuse.

Christensen said that the self-stigma people face not only creates a barrier to understanding, but it also deprives people of health and services, ultimately creating negative experiences.

Mike Skondin, a student representative at Shasta College, said he was initially in denial about his mental illness.

"I really didn't have a clue that my illness was in full manifestation," he said.

After a failed suicide attempt, he said the Veterans Affairs hospital stepped in and educated him about what he was going through. He now sees a therapist and studies art in college.

"My goal today is to be the father that I could be now, that I wasn't then," he said.

Suicide Prevention Week is Sept. 6-12. Stand Against Stigma is hosting Open Mic Night on at 6 p.m. Thursday at Grilla Bites, 1427 Market St.

Organizers also are holding the "Out of Darkness Community Walk to Fight Suicide" at Caldwell Park near the Redding Aquatic Center at 8 a.m. Saturday.

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