A new training program in Tulsa is providing families and mental health professionals with a unique approach to connecting with individuals who have a serious mental illness but may not realize they are sick.
This collaborative effort, bringing together the LEAP Institute, the Department of Human Relations, and OU-Tulsa’s Clinical Mental Health Program, aims to bridge the gap between those in need and the support they require.
Understanding the Challenge: Anosognosia
A key focus of this training is addressing a common but often overlooked symptom known as anosognosia.
Anosognosia (noun) | Ano·sog·no·sia A condition in which a person with a disability is cognitively unaware of having it due to an underlying physical or mental condition.
Experts estimate that approximately 80,000 Oklahomans live with a serious mental illness and do not recognize their condition. This lack of self-awareness, a direct result of the illness, makes traditional outreach methods ineffective.
Without proper intervention, individuals with anosognosia are at a higher risk of experiencing homelessness, incarceration, or social isolation…