CIENTIFICA MEDICA S.R.L

Depending on the company your parents work for, they may have an employee assistance program (EAP). This means that even though you may not have insurance coverage, you can have up to fi ve free sessions with a mental health professional. Although fi ve sessions may not be enough to provide complete treatment, it is enough to get some guidance on what further steps should be taken to help with current mental health or bullying issues.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

M There are many ways to get assistance for issues regarding

peer pressure, bullying, or mental health problems.

M It should be easy to check what services are offered by your

school. If it does not provide any, then personnel should have a resource list to point you in the right direction.

M Medical insurance usually provides coverage for counseling

services or for seeing a psychiatrist or other mental health professional.

M If you do not have medical insurance, you may be able to

receive low-cost services from community or county agencies.

TG PeerPressure PF.indd 137

You may need to be enrolled in Medicaid to take advantage of county programs.

M If you or your family belong to a religious organization, you

may be able to get pastoral counseling for free.

M University training programs for graduate students or resident

physicians often have low-cost or free counseling if you are willing to work with a student.

M If your parents work for a company with an employee assis-

tance program, you may be able to get up to fi ve free sessions of counseling.

139

acetylcholine A neurotransmitter involved in learning, memory, and helping brain cells communicate with each other

atherosclerosis The process through which fatty plaques cause thickening of the artery walls and narrowing of your arteries. Atherosclerosis increases your risk for heart disease and strokes. blood pressure A measure of the pressure of your blood as it

travels through your blood vessels. The top number is your systolic blood pressure and indicates the pressure of blood in your vessels when your heart beats. The bottom number is your diastolic blood pressure and indicates the pressure of blood in your vessels when your heart relaxes. Blood pressure increases when you are overweight or do not exercise. Although guidelines vary based on your age, normal blood pressure is considered less than 120 (systolic)/ 80 (diastolic). If your blood pressure is higher than 140/90, then you have high blood pressure and should see your doctor.

bullying Behavior designed to harm another individual through verbal, emotional, or physical means. The behavior must be repeated over time, and there must be a difference in power (or social status) between the perpetrator (bully) and the victim. “carve-out” A term used to describe how insurance companies

sometimes contract with other agencies to provide some of their services (often mental health or substance abuse)

catecholamines A group of neurotransmitters and hormones produced in the adrenal gland that have important physiological effects. Norepinephrine and dopamine are examples of

catecholamines.

civil law Also known as “tort” law, people who are bullied may be eligible to sue for damages for actions such as defamation of character, intentional infl iction of emotional harm, or privacy invasion (in the case of cyberbullying). Civil law never results in people being incarcerated (going to jail).

criminal law When bullying behavior involves actions such as threats, obscene phone calls, stalking behavior, physical violence, and other similar events, then criminal charges can

GLOSSARY

TG PeerPressure PF.indd 139

be fi led against the perpetrators. Criminal law usually results in probation, jail time, or possibly fi nes or community service. cyberbullying Using electronic means to harass, bully, or otherwise

infl ict verbal or emotional abuse on another individual

direct bullying Bullying that consists of direct threats of violence or actual physical harm

dopamine A neurotransmitter responsible for mediating several functions in the brain. This neurotransmitter is the source of the “high” feeling and addictive properties of many illicit drugs. endorphins A neurochemical that occurs naturally in the brain that

can produce a decrease in pain and a pleasurable effect indirect bullying Bullying that consists of spreading rumors,

excluding people from activities, or teasing

inpatient A term that refers to psychiatric treatment that takes place in a hospital or residential setting

kilogram A metric unit of weight. To convert your weight from pounds to kilograms, divide your weight in pounds by 2.2. morality The distinction between the concepts of good and evil or

right and wrong. Although there may be general beliefs regarding morality, it is a trait that varies from person to person.

morbidity A measure of suffering, including such things as days lost from school or work and physical or mental pain

neurotransmitter A chemical substance that transmits nerve signals across a synapse

norepinephrine A neurotransmitter involved in many functions in the human mind and body. In addition to affecting heart rate and blood pressure, norepinephrine has been implicated in depression and in diffi culties with attention.

outpatient A term that refers to mental health treatment that happens at a clinic location, with the patient spending the rest of the time in usual locations (home and school). In intensive outpatient treatment, you may spend anywhere from three to eight hours per weekday in a treatment setting but sleep at home. pharmacotherapy A treatment plan consisting of education about

and the use of medications to treat mental health symptoms psychoeducation Education regarding various psychiatric illnesses,

symptoms, diagnoses, and the treatment options for each. This includes estimated success rates for therapy and medication treatments and side effects of medications.

peer pressure When a decision or action you make is infl uenced signifi cantly by your perception of what other people will think about you. Peer pressure can be positive (studying hard for a test

because you want your peers to think highly of you) or negative (trying drugs or alcohol to fi t in).

rapport A measure of trust and comfort with another individual. This is used to assess how well your therapy treatment may work.

schizophrenia A severe illness in which people experience psychotic symptoms. Typical symptoms include hearing voices, being unable to think clearly, and feeling paranoid.

synapse The gap between the terminal end of one nerve cell and the receptor end of another nerve cell

serotonin A neurotransmitter that regulates many functions. Serotonin is known to affect mood, anxiety levels, sleep, and sensory perception.

TG PeerPressure PF.indd 141

APPENDIX