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Mental Health

Mental Health. http ://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJvq5CzQFGE&feature=player_profilepage. What is it?. Mental health issues affect a large number if Australians over the course of their lives, and many of these issues have their origins in the youth stage of the lifespan.

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Mental Health

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  1. MentalHealth • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJvq5CzQFGE&feature=player_profilepage

  2. What is it? • Mental health issues affect a large number if Australians over the course of their lives, and many of these issues have their origins in the youth stage of the lifespan. • The terms ‘mental illness’ or ‘mental disorders’ are umbrella terms which encompass a number of conditions that affect the way a person thinks, acts and feels.

  3. Mental health problems, on the other hand, are negative consequences to mental health that may occur as a result of life stresses. These are not as severe as mental disorders, are generally temporary and do not usually get diagnosed. • Mental illnesses: • Vary in severity • Are often the result of a combination of different factors • Can sometimes be effectively treated

  4. Mental illnesses…

  5. The effect of mental illness on health…

  6. Physical Health… • Lack of physical activity – withdrawal from regular activities and lack of motivation can lead to reduced physical activity, which can lead to reduced levels of physical health and fitness • Lack of sleep – disturbed sleeping patterns can have an effect on every- day tasks and functioning.

  7. Physical Health… • Substance and alcohol abuse – people experiencing mental health issues are more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol, which can affect the body’s systems • Self-harm – people with mental illnesses may be prone to hurt themselves through means such as cutting, taking pills and even suicide.

  8. Social Health… • Social isolation – mental illness may result in removing themselves from social interactions. This can magnify the effects of the condition. • Strained family relationships – family life me be affected as a result of mental illness, which can weaken family bonds.

  9. Mental Health… • Poorer quality of life – people suffering mental illness can often back away from the things that once made them happy. This can lead to a continuous negative cycle.

  10. The effects of mental illness on development:

  11. Physical Development… • Impaired development through lack of nutrition – loss of appetite or eating disorders resulting from mental illness may lead to lack of nutrients which affects healthy growth and development.

  12. Social Development… • Reduced social experiences – avoiding social situations and interactions may impact on normal social development.

  13. Emotional Development… • Stunted emotional development – mental health issues can lead to irregular mood swings and prolonged periods of depression, which may affect ones emotional development and perceptions.

  14. Intellectual Development… • Higher school drop-out rates – youth suffering mental illness are less likely to finish secondary school, therefore leading important skills and knowledge being unattained. • Lack of concentration at school – depression and other mental health issues can lead to students being inattentive in class and lacking motivation for school work.

  15. The incidence, prevalence and trends of mental health issues • Prevalence and incidence are both terms that are commonly used to refer to measurements of disease frequency. • What is incidence? • The incidence of a disease is the rate at which new casesoccur in a population during a specified period. • What is prevalence? • The prevalence of a disease is the proportion of a population that is affected by the disease at a specific time, often expressed as a percentage. (Appropriate for chronic conditions)

  16. Mental disorders contribute more to the burden of disease for youth than any other condition. • What is burden of disease? • The impact of a health problem in an area measured by financial cost, mortality, morbidity, or other indicators. It is often quantified in terms DALYs. • What are DALYs? • Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs): a measure of overall disease burden, expressed as the number of years lost due to ill-health, disability or early death. Combination of the burden due to both morbidity and mortality in one index. (DALYs = YLD + YLL) 

  17. Years Lost to Disability(YLD): measure the equivalent years of healthy life lost through time spent in states of less than full health (i.e. disease, disability) • Years of Life Lost (YLL): is an estimate of the average years a person would have lived if he or she had not died prematurely. The YLL basically corresponds to the number of deaths multiplied by the standard life expectancy at the age at which death occurs. It is, therefore, a measure of premature mortality.

  18. Comparing DALYs in youth

  19. Comparing mental health by age group 2. 12-MONTH MENTAL DISORDERS(a),by Age(b) - ABS, 2007

  20. Statistics • According to the ABS (2007), about one in four 16-24 year olds had symptoms of a diagnosed mental illness in the previous 12 months. • Yet, up to 70% of young people do not seek help when they are feeling mentally unhealthy - So rates of mental illness may be higher than reported • The overall rates of mental illness have remained fairly constant in the 10 years up to 2007 • However, deaths of young people due to mental illness steadily decreased from 1997-2004

  21. Risk factors for developing mental health issues

  22. Biological risk factors • Genetic factors – those with a family history of mental illness are at a higher risk • Prenatal brain damage – damage from injury or teratogens (environmental substances that can cause abnormal prenatal development – e.g. medications, certain foods, drugs/alcohol) can increase the risk of mental health issues

  23. Behavioural risk factors • Substance use – illicit drug use is linked to mental illness Physical enviro. risk factors • Unsupportive school environment – bullying and feeling socially excluded can lead to mental health issues

  24. Social (environment) risk factors • Parental marital issues – this can lead to an unstable family situation, which is a risk factor • Early life experiences – negative experiences early in life are a risk factor for future mental health issues

  25. Social (community) risk factors • Failure to achieve academically – those who do not achieve academically are more likely to suffer from mental illness • Social isolation – this can be both a risk factor for, and a consequence of, mental illness

  26. Protective factors from developing mental health issues

  27. Biological protective factors • Body weight – those with a healthy body weight are less likely to develop mental health issues than someone who is overweight or obese Behavioural protective factors • Food intake – adequate nutrition acts to keep the body and mind in optimal condition, which can protect individuals from mental health issues • Physical activity – has been shown to reduce feelings of stress, depression and anxiety

  28. Physical enviro. protective factors • Supportive school environment – having a happy school environment through supportive friends and teachers can act as a protective factor

  29. Social (enviro.) protective factors • Socioeconomic status – those with moderate to high socioeconomic stability have less chance of developing mental health issues than someone of low SES • Family situation – a supportive family environment, free from conflict and abuse, is a protective factor from mental health issues

  30. Social (comm.) protective factors • Social networks – those with good social networks are less likely to develop a mental illness • Social harmony – is a protective factor for mental health issues

  31. Strategies and programs designed to promote mental health • National Mental Health Strategy • Beyond Blue - & Youth Beyond Blue • Headspace • ReachOut.com • SenseAbility • Save-A-Mate (SAM) Our WayProgram • Indigenous Hip Hop Projects (IHHP) • Good Sports Good Mental HealthProgram • National Youth Week • Lifeline - 13 11 14 • Kids Help Line – 1800 55 1800 http://www.youthbeyondblue.com/tv-ads/

  32. Beyond Blue – the national depression initiative • beyondblue is a national, independent, not-for-profit organisation working to address issues associated with depression, anxiety and related disorders in Australia. • beyondblue works in partnership with government agencies, health services, schools, workplaces, universities, media and community organisations, as well as people living with depression, to bring together their expertise and raise awareness of the issue. • Youthbeyondblue has a specific focus on young people aged 12 to 25 years old. • Their programs and projects centre on early intervention and prevention of high prevalence mental health problems for young people and also on raising community awareness. 

  33. Personal strategies that promote mental health • Communicate with friends and family • Seek help from medical professionals • Take time for relaxation

  34. Your rights in using health services • You have the right to… • Privacy • A second opinion • Use of public health services • Refuse or complain about treatment • Have a family member or friend present during consultations • Be treated with respect and dignity

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