Mental Health

MentalHealth

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJvq5CzQFGE&feature=player_profilepage1What 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 illnessor mental disorders are umbrella terms which encompassa number of conditions that affect the way a person thinks, acts and feels.

2Mental 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 severityAre often the result of a combination of different factorsCan sometimes be effectively treated

Different extremes on the spectrumSome are quite manageable psychotic mental illness (lose touch with reality/delusions/paranoia etc. threats to health and wellbeing)3Mental illnesses

4The effect of mental illness on health

5Physical HealthLack 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.

6Physical HealthSubstance and alcohol abuse people experiencing mental health issues are more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol, which can affect the bodys systemsSelf-harm people with mental illnesses may be prone to hurt themselves through means such as cutting, taking pills and even suicide.

7Social HealthSocial 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.

8Mental HealthPoorer 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.

9The effects of mental illness on development:

10Physical DevelopmentImpaired 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.

11Social DevelopmentReduced social experiences avoiding social situations and interactions may impact on normal social development.

12Emotional DevelopmentStunted emotional development mental health issues can lead to irregular mood swings and prolonged periods of depression, which may affect ones emotional development and perceptions.

13Intellectual DevelopmentHigher 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.

14The incidence, prevalence and trends of mental health issuesPrevalenceandincidenceare 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 cases occur 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)

15Mental 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 overalldisease 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)16Years 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 theaverageyears 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 prematuremortality. 17Comparing DALYs in youth

18Comparing mental health by age group2. 12-MONTH MENTAL DISORDERS(a),by Age(b)

- ABS, 200719StatisticsAccording to the ABS (2007), about one in four 16-24y.os 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

20Risk factors for developing mental health issues

21Biological risk factorsGenetic factors those with a family history of mental illness are at a higher riskPrenatal 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

22Behavioural risk factorsSubstance 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

23Social (environment) risk factorsParental 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

24Social (community) risk factorsFailure to achieve academically those who do not achieve academically are more likely to suffer from mental illnessSocial isolation this can be both a risk factor for, and a consequence of, mental illness25Protective factors from developing mental health issues

26Biological protective factorsBody weight those with a healthy body weight are less likely to develop mental health issues than someone who is overweight or obeseBehavioural 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

27Physical enviro. protective factorsSupportive school environment having a happy school environment through supportive friends and teachers can act as a protective factor

28Social (enviro.) protective factorsSocioeconomic 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

29Social (comm.) protective factorsSocial networks those with good social networks are less likely to develop a mental illnessSocial harmony is a protective factor for mental health issues

30Strategies and programs designed to promote mental healthNational Mental Health StrategyBeyond Blue - & Youth Beyond BlueHeadspaceReachOut.comSenseAbilitySave-A-Mate (SAM) Our Way Program Indigenous Hip Hop Projects (IHHP)Good Sports Good Mental HealthProgramNational Youth WeekLifeline - 13 11 14Kids Help Line1800 55 1800http://www.youthbeyondblue.com/tv-ads/

31Beyond Blue the national depression initiativebeyondblueis a national, independent, not-for-profit organisation working to address issues associated with depression, anxiety and related disorders in Australia.beyondblueworks 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.

32Personal strategies that promote mental healthCommunicate with friends and familySeek help from medical professionalsTake time for relaxation

33Your rights in using health servicesYou have the right toPrivacyA second opinionUse of public health servicesRefuse or complain about treatmentHave a family member or friend present during consultationsBe treated with respect and dignity

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