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
Stigmas, misunderstandings and
myths about mental health

“People with a mental

illness should be
isolated from the
community”

(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 Consequences health (Desert hope, 2018)
• Longer term recovery
(Mental illness policy org, 2017) illness

Drugs Serious This means that individuals

and mental may eventually experience
An individual with a mental alcohol illness all the potential symptoms
of the illness, whereas
illness are more likely to
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
• Changes in sleep and appetite — Dramatic increase or
decrease in sleep and appetite
• Mood Swings — Rapid or dramatic shifts in emotions
• Withdrawing — Frequently withdrawing from social
activities, loss of interest in activities previously
enjoyed
• Dramatic decrease in every day functioning — at
school, work or social activities, for e.g. decrease in
school results, quitting sports, difficulty performing
standard tasks
• Problems thinking — Increased difficulty in
concentrating, remembering or logical thought and
speech that are hard to explain
• Increased sensitivity — Increased sensitivity to sights,
sounds, smells or touch
• Illogical thinking — Unusual or exaggerated beliefs
about personal powers
• Unusual behavior – Odd, uncharacteristic, peculiar
behavior, seeming nervous
Early warning signs
• Eating or sleeping too much or too little
• Pulling away from people and usual activities
• Having low or no energy
• Feeling numb or like nothing matters
• Having unexplained aches and pains
• Feeling helpless or hopeless
• Smoking, drinking, or using drugs more than usual
• Feeling unusually confused, forgetful, on edge, angry,
upset, worried, or scared
• Experiencing severe mood swings that cause problems
in relationships
• Having persistent thoughts and memories you can't
get out of your head
• Hearing voices or believing things that are not true
• Thinking of harming yourself or others
• Inability to perform daily tasks like taking care of your
kids or getting to work or school
 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.
(Healthy Place, 2017).
 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

(Mental Health Wellness Week, 2009)

(Heather, 2018)
 Where to get help?
oFriends and family
oYour local General Practitioner (GP)
oCounsellor
oFamily support organisations
oOccupational Therapist

Health Direct (2018)

 References

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