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Depression and the Polish community

Depression and the Polish community . VTPU Conference, August 2005 Presenter: Elizabeth Drozd CEO, APCS. Research background of publisher. Unique characterics of the Polish community Summary of the Australian-Polish Community Services About the research authors. Project Background.

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Depression and the Polish community

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  1. Depression and the Polish community VTPU Conference, August 2005 Presenter: Elizabeth Drozd CEO, APCS

  2. Research background of publisher • Unique characterics of the Polish community • Summary of the Australian-Polish Community Services • About the research authors

  3. Project Background • Almost no research data available about depression within the Polish community • Second biggest health issue in the next 20 years and currently an important public health concern • Study conducted with almost no funding

  4. Project Aims • To investigate the understanding and prevalence of depression within the Polish community • To contribute to the knowledge of depression experienced by CALD communities • On the basis of primary data and analysis, develop recommendations for better service responses and appropriate interventions

  5. Method • Four-page survey in Polish • Varied sources of survey participants • Various age groups, place of residence • 36% lived in lone households • 21% worked F/T or P/T, 58% pensioners • 174 surveys were collected (70% women) • A.T. Beck Depression Inventory Test

  6. Research Results • 32% self-identified as having depression • Another 9% were not sure • 11% confessed to suicidal thoughts • 35% showed strong symptoms of tiredness • 25% strong symptoms of sleeplessness • 22% symptoms of sadness,

  7. Understanding of depression • 21% stated that it is an illness QUOTES • 78% described it as a ‘bad state of mind’ QUOTES

  8. Cont… Understanding of depression • 1. Correct understanding • 2. Seeing depression as one of the stages in our mental health i.e. transitory feeling • 3. Playing down depression as an illness or lack of total understanding

  9. Awareness of services • 30% saw their GP as the first point of contact • 12% community services • 60% stated awareness of services but could not identify them • Media (newspaper, radio) most common source of information

  10. Adequacy of existing services • 66% stated inadequacy of services but couldn’t validate their professional capacity • Aware of effort to improve understanding of depression and service accessibility • Quotes

  11. Recommendations: • 1. Public education campaign for CALD communities incl. Polish • 2. Development of a comprehensive strategy to address the issue of depression in CALD communities • 3. DHS Mental Health Branch reports annually on strategies undertaken to address needs of CALD Victorians who suffer from mental illnesses

  12. Cont…Recommendations • 4. Organisations funded to provide mental health services report annually on initiatives undertaken to respond appropriately to the needs of CALD communities in Victoria

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