Transcript Serving Special Populations in CTE

Serving Special Populations in CTE
Mental Health in the Classroom and On the Job
Michelle Ranae Wild
Tomorrow’s College Today.
Description
Because of our increasingly complex and stressful society, along with
increases in veteran populations, CTE programs are seeing more and more
students falling victim to PTSD and other disabilities and mental health
issues on campus and in the workplace.
Goals of this presentation:
• Help identify such students.
• Provide some solutions for dealing with these students.
• Consider curriculum adaptations that will better prepare your students to
deal with similar situations in the workplace.
PTSD/TBI Military Statistics
Source:
Center for Military Health Policy Research (2008)
PTSD/TBI General Population
Statistics
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Traumatic Brain Injury
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Approximately 7.7 million American
adults age 18 and older, or about
3.5% of people in this age group in a
given year, have PTSD.
Approximately 8% of the population
(~24 million) will develop PTSD at
some point in their lives.
Source:
National Institute of Mental Health
Americas Heroes at Work
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5.3 million Americans currently have
a long-term or lifelong need for help
to perform activities of daily living.
Approximately 1.4 million individuals
sustain a brain injury every year. Of
those sustaining a brain injury, 1.1
million are treated and released from
the emergency department (2004
data).
Source:
Centers for Disease Control’s National Center for Injury
Prevention and Control Web site
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder, often abbreviated as PTSD, is a complex
disorder in which the affected person's memory, emotional responses,
intellectual processes, and nervous system have all been disrupted by
one or more traumatic experiences, for example:
• Military Combat
• Rape
• Torture
• Genocide
• Natural Disasters
• Transportation or Workplace Disasters
Source:
Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders:
http://www.minddisorders.com/Ob-Ps/Post-traumatic-stress-disorder.html
PTSD Symptoms
Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms are commonly grouped into three
types: intrusive memories, avoidance and numbing, and increased anxiety
or emotional arousal (hyperarousal)
Intrusive Memories
• Flashbacks
• Dreams
Avoidance & Numbing
• Avoid thinking or
talking about event
• Hopelessness
• Memory problems
• Concentration issues
• Difficulty maintaining
close relationships
Anxiety & Hyperarousal
• Irritability or anger
• Overwhelming guilt or
shame
• Trouble sleeping
• Being easily startled
• Self-destructive
behavior
Source:
MayoClinic:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/post-traumatic-stressdisorder/DS00246/DSECTION=symptoms
PTSD & College Challenges
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Going to school full-time
Homework deadlines
Overcrowded classrooms
Working in groups
Anxiety
Isolation
Lack of understanding by teachers and cohorts
Standing out as a veteran
Fatigue
Memory issues
Challenges with concentration
Consequences of an Acquired
Brain Injury
•Impaired concentration, memory disturbances, language difficulties and/or
poor reasoning skills prevent these individuals from resuming pre-accident
activities.
•Awareness of limitations and unrealized career and personal goals lead to
frustration and depression—further contributing to the individual’s
unemployment, isolation, and alienation from friends, family, and community.
•Most frequent unmet needs:
• Improving memory and problem solving;
• Managing stress and emotional upsets;
• Controlling one's temper; and
• Improving one's job skills.
Potential Cognitive Issues for
PTSD & TBI
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Attention to detail
Recognizing visual similarities and differences
Visual organization
Memory cues
Critical thinking
Sequencing
Categorization
Problem-solving
Planning
Decision-making
Following directions
Curriculum Considerations
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Provide clear instructions
Include real-life examples
Break steps down into manageable pieces
Provide easy memory cues when appropriate
Prepare students before presenting potentially difficult material
Encourage a buddy system in class (e.g., study partners)
Use stories
Use visual aids
Support cognitive flexibility by being open to various viewpoints
If questioned about something, be direct during office hours
Learn just a little about military culture
Making Cognitive Connections
within CTE Curriculum
• Hospitality & Tourism
• Information Technology
Contact Information
Michelle Ranae Wild
[email protected]
(949) 310-3202