Rose Hill Center

Is Mental Illness Inherited?

rosehill — Tue, 14 May 2013 16:20:34 +0000

Mental illness is a term used to describe a wide range of disorders that have an impact on our thoughts, feelings and/or behavior. Mental illness is not a character flaw, weakness or something inherently wrong with a person—it is an illness like any other and a person has a right to seek appropriate treatment as well as care and support through their illness.

When speaking about mental illness, oftentimes people wonder if it has been passed down in their family. Though some mental illnesses may be wholly or partially inherited, a person may inherit a gene but not experience the symptoms, or they may not inherit that particular gene even though a parent or grandparent did carry it. Some mental illnesses are caused by biological changes that aren’t genetic, while others are often the result of drugs, difficult life circumstances and stress. Environmental factors such as excessive stress and substance abuse can play a part by altering the brain’s chemistry, and an individual’s personality can also influence the way they react to life events.

Overall, mental illness seems to be caused by a combination of factors that are unique to each person.

“When placed in situations of unremitting stress, a person who is born with a genetic propensity to bipolar disorder, depression, or schizophrenia may in fact develop the disease. The same is true for those who are susceptible to asthma, heart disease, or cancer.” Rosalyn Carter (2010), Within Our Reach – Ending the Mental Health Crisis.

According to Dr. Gregory Fricchione at Massachusetts General Hospital, “The key to managing stress is resiliency.”

Ten Health and Resiliency Factors

Healthy Eating
Physical Activity
Restful Sleep
Stress Management
Service to Others
Support Network
Optimism Based on Positive Expectations
Cognitive Skills to Avoid Negative Thinking
Meaning and Purpose
Spirituality

Information provided by the Mental Health Association NSW, Inc. (http://www.mentalhealth.asn.au/)

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Rose Hill Rose Sale

rosehill — Tue, 14 May 2013 16:01:18 +0000

If you were unable to attend the Rose Hill Fair and purchase a Rose Hill rose bush, you will have another opportunity to do so and, at the same time, benefit the patients and programs of Rose Hill Center. These rose bushes, which are ready to take home and plant in your garden, will be sold at Holy Name Catholic Church this Saturday, May 18 at the conclusion of the 4 pm mass and Sunday, May 19 at the conclusion of the 8am mass and will remain there until after the noon mass. Volunteers will be selling the roses in the parking lot at the back entrance of Holy Name Parish, 630 Harmon St, Birmingham. Cultivated with love by the Rose Hill residents, the cost of each rose bush is $30 and proceeds are benefitting the horticulture program and therapeutic activities at Rose Hill. We hope you can make it! Continue to visit Rose Hill’s website and facebook for more information on additional rose sales in this area.

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A Serious Mental Illness Impacts the Entire Family

rosehill — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 18:59:14 +0000

A serious mental illness is not just about one person. Everyone in the family is impacted.
As a loved one changes right before their eyes, family members may begin to feel like they don’t even know this person anymore and they can’t understand what is happening. They lurch from crisis to crisis, spending time, money and emotional energy trying to help a sick family member who often does not recognize the mental illness or want to be “helped.” The family finds it cannot celebrate like it used to, and family gatherings are dreaded out of fear that some disaster may happen.
Even today, in our sophisticated culture, there is a stigma about admitting that someone in the family has a serious mental illness. And yet, all through the maze of hospitalizations, medications, and mental illness treatment programs; throughout encouraging years and discouraging seasons; during good days and bad, through highs and lows, the serious mental illness is always there…for everyone in the family.
So what can your family do when someone has a serious mental illness? First, seek out the many support groups that are available to help cope with and understand this very perplexing illness. And then persevere until you find the mental illness treatment program that your loved one needs and deserves. Of course, Rose Hill provides a highly effective residential mental illness treatment program. Rose Hill Center is a member of ARTA (American Residential Treatment Association) and a list of other residential treatment programs can be found on their website www.artausa.org

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Rose Hill Newsletter

rosehill — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 18:40:50 +0000

Rose Hill’s Spring 2013 Update Newsletter is now available!
Click here to read more

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Does My Loved One Have A Mental Illness?

rosehill — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 18:53:01 +0000

Certain difficult behaviors can occur due to changes or stressful events in a person’s life. This does not necessarily mean an individual has a mental illness. However, if they seem to be taking a longer time to get over a crisis, then it may be important for them to seek help. Below are some behaviors that may indicate something more serious may be happening and the person needs to see a mental health professional for an assessment:

Total withdrawal from family, friends and colleagues
Fear of leaving home; refusing to go to school
Significant changes in eating and/or sleeping patterns
Extreme changes in mood variation
Deteriorating performance at work or school
Hearing voices or seeing things that no one else can hear or see
Believing their thoughts are being interfered with by someone or something external
Spending extravagant/unrealistic amounts of money or talking about unrealistic business/investment ideas
Believing people are plotting against them
Believing they have special powers or thinking they are famous, religious or political figures

How can Rose Hill help?

If you think your loved one may have a mental illness, it is important for them to seek help. Rose Hill Center is a Joint Commission accredited treatment facility for adults with serious mental illness. Rose Hill combines medication management with an intense rehabilitation program to assist individuals from all over the country in achieving – and maintaining – psychiatric stability and their highest level of independence.

If you are interested in pursuing treatment at Rose Hill Center, or if you have questions about the program, please visit the Admission Process page(http://www.rosehillcenter.com/financial/admission-process/) or contact us toll-free at (866) 504-2259.

Information provided by the Mental Health Association NSW, Inc. (http://www.mentalhealth.asn.au/)

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“With All Thy Getting, Get Understanding”

rosehill — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 19:40:14 +0000

It’s time to get our mentally ill citizens the treatment they so badly need. We applaud Steve Forbes on his recent article, “Why The Treatment Of Our Nation’s Mentally Ill Is An American Disgrace” Read More…

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Rose Hill 2013 Flower Sale and Fair

rosehill — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 18:33:42 +0000

May 11th, 10 am - 3 pm: Please join us on the second Saturday in May for Rose Hill’s Annual Flower Sale and Fair. Bring the whole family! In addition to Rose Hill Roses, many plants, flowers, annuals and perennials will be for sale. There will also be a Food Tent, Bake Sale, Hayride on the Boulevard and Farm Animals! Free admission and parking.

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Get Mentally Fit in 2013

rosehill — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 20:25:25 +0000

The New Year is often focused around physical health. People make resolutions to cut out the junk food, to eat more fruits and vegetables, to go to the gym more often and to become more physically active in their everyday lives. While these are all very good and important things to do for your health and will also help you feel better, what about your mental health? Mental health is just as important for your well-being as your physical health. Here are some suggestions to follow so you’ll be mentally fit in 2013:

1. Schedule time to spend with friends and family. Identify people in your life that make you feel good, people who are positive and encouraging, people who bring a smile to your face and make you laugh. These are the types of people that you want to make a point to connect with on a regular basis.

2. Laugh. Do you have a favorite movie or television show that always makes you laugh? Is there a certain person who always has a good joke or something funny to say, someone that you can be yourself around and act silly with? As much as possible, try to include some of these fun times in your life.

3. Improve stressful situations. Take some time to sit down and write down issues and problems in your life that are causing you stress and worry. Journaling and making lists are always helpful. Writing can help you problem solve and think of solutions. By writing down what the problems are and your goals, you will begin to see possible solutions. Ask yourself, what are some possible ways to get from Point A to Point B? Once you identify what the problems are and what the goal or outcome you want is, try to think of small steps you can take to get you from Point A to Point B. Consider sharing this with someone who could assist you. Someone who can help you brainstorm solutions to your problems and find steps to take to reach your goals. Someone who will be an encouraging support to you such as a counselor, therapist or trusted friend.

4. Spend time every day doing something that brings you joy. Think about the activities that bring you pleasure such as reading, going for a walk, taking a bath, making a craft, playing a sport or listening to music. Make time for yourself to enjoy one of these activities each day, even if just for 10 minutes.

5. Do something for others. Volunteering, helping out a friend or family member, or planning a thoughtful surprise for someone always feels great!

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Rose Hill’s 20th Anniversary Celebration

rosehill — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 15:01:40 +0000

Thank you to everyone that helped us celebrate Rose Hill’s 20th Anniversary at the Townsend Hotel on October 11, 2012. Our anniversary was not only a time to look back on the accomplishments of the past 20 years, but also a time to look forward. Thus, we were pleased to be able to announce the Campaign for Excellence which will help Rose Hill maintain its reputation as “the best” so we can attract new patients; provide a safer and more efficient campus; and, most importantly, offer patients peace in mind while offering their families peace of mind. Pictures of the Anniversary Celebration, including pictures of our keynote speaker – Sean Astin – are available on our Facebook page!

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Rose Hill Newsletter

rosehill — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 16:18:46 +0000

Rose Hill’s Spring 2013 Newsletter is now available