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Mental Health

G R A C E M A N O L A S , PA B A G U N E T H I L A K E A N D S T E P H C O L L I E R
What is mental
health?
Mental health is when an individual can cope with normal stresses in their lives, can work productively and can
contribute to their community. It is the positive mental wellbeing of a person (Beyond Blue, 2018).

Mental Illness is a mental, behavioural, or emotional disorder. It can vary in impact, ranging from no impairment
to mild, moderate and even severe impairment (National institute of mental health, 2017).

Severe mental illness is a mental, behavioural or emotional disorder resulting in serious functional impairment
which substantially interferes with or limits one of more major life activities. It also includes disorders with
psychotic symptoms (National institute of mental health, 2017) (Mental Illness Policy org, 2017).
Multiple personality disorder

Types of Mental Illnesses Schizophrenia

Depression Oppositional defiant disorder

Eating disorders Obsessive compulsive disorder

Border line personality disorder Alzheimers


Post natal depression

Bipolar
Substance abuse disorder

Attention deficit hyper active disorder


Anxiety
Post traumatic stress disorder
On average 1 in 5 Australian’s
suffer from a mental illness

Beyond Blue
About 1 in 2 Australian’s suffer from
a mental illness within their life time
1 in 10 Australian’s who suffer from
a mental illness die from suicide
1 in 7 young people aged 4-17
years experience a mental
health condition in a year
c ter
Stigmas, misunderstandings s io
a c
n is should
a
har just
res ople
and myths about mental health e p
“D nd pe t of it’”
a
faw ‘snap
ou

“Mental hea nta l i l ln e ss are


lth problem ith a me
do not afec s “P e o p l e w
a n g e ro u s, and
t children or a d an d d “Me
youth. Any p ‘psy c h o ’, m away” n
roblems the e lo cke d caus tal illn
have are jus y should b e e
t part of pers d by a ss is
growing up” ona
l we
akn
ess”

“Addict
“People with a lifestyle on is a
cho
illness shouldn
mental “People with a mental shows a ice and “All people
with
’t work illness should be lack of e n ia are
because they’l willpow Sch izo p h r
l just drag isolated from the er.”
down the rest community” violent”
of the
staf ”

(Department of health, 2007; Department for health and wellbeing, 2017)


Untreated mental illnesses
can lead to: An untreated mental
• Homelessness illness will most likely
• Incarceration resort in the illness
• Episodes of violence
• Suicide Mental worsening
• Fiscal costs
• Longer term recovery
Consequences health (Desert hope, 2018)

(Mental illness policy org, 2017) illness

Drugs Serious This means that individuals


and mental may eventually experience
An individual with a mental
illness are more likely to
alcohol illness all the potential symptoms
of the illness, whereas
abuse alcohol and drugs to before they may have had a
lessen their symptoms few symptoms

(Healthdirect,2016) (Desert hope, 2018)


How to recognise it in others Early warning signs

• Changes in sleep and appetite — Dramatic increase or • Eating or sleeping too much or too little
decrease in sleep and appetite • Pulling away from people and usual activities
• Mood Swings — Rapid or dramatic shifts in emotions • Having low or no energy
• Withdrawing — Frequently withdrawing from social • Feeling numb or like nothing matters
activities, loss of interest in activities previously • Having unexplained aches and pains
enjoyed • Feeling helpless or hopeless
• Dramatic decrease in every day functioning — at • Smoking, drinking, or using drugs more than usual
school, work or social activities, for e.g. decrease in • Feeling unusually confused, forgetful, on edge, angry,
school results, quitting sports, difficulty performing upset, worried, or scared
standard tasks • Experiencing severe mood swings that cause problems
• Problems thinking — Increased difficulty in in relationships
concentrating, remembering or logical thought and • Having persistent thoughts and memories you can't
speech that are hard to explain get out of your head
• Increased sensitivity — Increased sensitivity to sights, • Hearing voices or believing things that are not true
sounds, smells or touch • Thinking of harming yourself or others
• Illogical thinking — Unusual or exaggerated beliefs • Inability to perform daily tasks like taking care of your
about personal powers kids or getting to work or school
• Unusual behavior – Odd, uncharacteristic, peculiar
behavior, seeming nervous
Who is affected by mental
health?
It is crucial for everybody to look after
their mental health and wellbeing.
Mental illnesses can affect anyone
regardless of their age, culture,
religion, gender or socioeconomic
status. However with adequate
support symptoms can improve.
(Price, 2018)
(Department of Health, 2017)
Parents with mental illnesses
The effects of mental illnesses can
have major negative impacts on
individuals and their families, and it
influences society as a whole. Parents
with mental illnesses may find it
challenging to provide their child with
a safe and caring environment to
support their development. This may
put children at risk of their own
wellbeing and can affect their social,
(Psicologia, 2016)
emotional and behavioural
development (Healthy place, 2017).
Challenges faced by children
o May be forced to take responsibility in
managing the house hold and caring for
themselves at an inappropriate level.
o May experience anxiety, guilt or anger.
o May become isolated from their peers and
the community.
o May experience problems within early
childhood setting/ school.
o Are at risk of drug use. (Charamelody, 2015)

oMay have poor social relationships.


Strategies
• Communication:
- Talk to your family and friends
- General Practitioner
- School Counsellor
- Support groups
• Meditation and relaxation techniques
• Physical activities
• A good night’s sleep
• Identify and deal with moods and stress
• Have a balanced healthy diet
• Take time for yourself
• Identify your strengths and build confidence
(Mental Health Wellness Week, 2009)
Avoid:
• Illegal substances
• Excessive alcohol use
• Self-mutilation
• Ignoring or storing hurt feelings
• Sedatives
• Stimulants
• Excessive working
• Avoiding problems
• Denial

(Heather, 2018) (Mental Health Wellness Week, 2009)


Where to get
help?
oFriends and family
oYour local General Practitioner (GP)
oCounsellor
oFamily support organisations
oOccupational Therapist

Health Direct (2018)


es

https://www.mendthemind.ca/stigma/top-11-myths-about-mental-illness/
https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/warning-signs-of-mental-illness

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