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Presentation at Missions Interlink ConNEXTions 2013 by:

Presentation at Missions Interlink ConNEXTions 2013 by:. Dr Katherine Thompson Mental Health Social Worker BA, BAppSci (Hons), PhD( PsychMed ), BTheol , BSW 164a Warrandyte Rd North Ringwood Vic 3134 0402 343 029 katherinethompson@guitech.com.au.

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Presentation at Missions Interlink ConNEXTions 2013 by:

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  1. Presentation at Missions Interlink ConNEXTions2013 by: Dr Katherine ThompsonMental Health Social WorkerBA, BAppSci(Hons), PhD(PsychMed), BTheol, BSW164a Warrandyte RdNorth Ringwood Vic 31340402 343 029katherinethompson@guitech.com.au

  2. Mental Health First Aid for Missionaries and the Need to Focus on Prevention Dr Katherine Thompson

  3. That was then and this is now… • Globalisation • Internet, email, mobile phones, etc. • Transport changes • Normalisation of cross cultural work • Health focus on prevention and intervention

  4. Social Readjustment Rating Scale • The Stress Scale – a scientific scale used to assess the stress load we carry over the past 12-month period • "The Social Readjustment Rating Scale", Thomas H. Holmes and Richard H. Rahe, Journal of Psychosomatic Research, Volume 11, Issue 2, August 1967, Pages 213-218.

  5. If you fill out the Stress Scale according to common experiences faced by people going to work cross-culturally it generally adds to + 300 score • This indicates the person has a high or very high risk of becoming ill in the near future.

  6. What happens when we change cultures? • Eco-maps are a method of plotting how well someone is functioning socially, how much support they have, and how many resources they have. • A healthy life that supports good mental health will have a broad range of activities and people within this map.

  7. Eco-map Garden-ing Church Work 2 Neigh- bours Close Friends Mother Katherine Pilates Pets Work 1 Ian’s work Ian Jack Other Family Draw -ing Jack’s School People in my neighbour-hood Mentors Other Friends Other Hobbies

  8. Cross-cultural Work Exposes Staff to a higher risk of mental illness because it takes away their normal protective factors, and exposes them to high stress.

  9. Mental Illness in Australia National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing 2007 http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Latestproducts/4326.0Main%20Features32007?opendocument&tabname=Summary&prodno=4326.0&issue=2007&num=&view=

  10. High Prevalence Disorders • Anxiety Disorders • Affective Disorders • Substance Use Disorders

  11. K10 Scores: • score under 20 are likely to be well • score 20-24 are likely to have a mild mental disorder • score 25-29 are likely to have moderate mental disorder • score 30 and over are likely to have a severe mental disorder • 13% of the adult population will score 20 and over • For further information on the K10 please refer to www.crufad.org or • Andrews, G Slade, T. Interpreting scores on the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health: 2001; 25:6: 494-497.

  12. Anxiety Disorders • Types: • Panic disorder • Agoraphobia • Social phobia • Generalised anxiety disorder • Obsessive compulsive disorder • Post-traumatic stress disorder

  13. Anxiety is based on the body’s normal stress response • When we are under threat we either “fight” or “flight” • Anxiety is a problem when it causes us to avoid things and starts to impact how we live our life

  14. Affective Disorders • Types: • Major Depression • Dysthymia • Bipolar Affective Disorder

  15. Symptoms of Depression (+ 2 weeks duration): • Unusually sad mood • Loss of enjoyment • Lack of energy • Feeling worthless and guilty • Thinking about death • Difficulty making decisions • Moving slowly or becoming agitated • Sleep difficulties • Loss appetite or eating too much

  16. The Life That’s Waiting for You Good Personal Health Healthy Relationships Fun and Relaxation Depression Compression Spiritual Satisfaction

  17. What happens when people have existing mental illness? • Insight/Acceptance of illness • Medication • History of the illness and personal management

  18. Prevention is better than cure

  19. Self-Care • Sleep: • Routine • Constant amount • Constant time • No naps • Strategies for dealing with insomnia

  20. Exercise: • Burns off stress • Improves mood • Assists with sleep

  21. Foster Creativity: • Reading • Craft • Gardening • Cooking

  22. Social connection: • Thoughts and feelings • Hospitality • Connectedness • Meaning • Belonging

  23. Relaxation: • Prayer • Meditation • Silence • Stretching • Relaxation exercises

  24. Luke 4.42 • At daybreak he departed and went into a deserted place. And the crowds were looking for him… • Luke 5.15-16 • But now more than ever the word about Jesus spread abroad; many crowds would gather to hear him and to be cured of their diseases. But he would withdraw to deserted places and pray.

  25. Are there any people who should not be allowed to work cross culturally? • Families with children who have: • Autism Spectrum Disorders or other disabilities? • Families with adolescents who have: • Eating disorders, anxiety, depression, self-harm? • Adults with Personality Disorders: • Borderline Personality Disorder • Dependent Personality

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