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Today…

Engaging young people around their mental health Karen Marriage – Clinical Psychologist Swagata Bapat– Occupational Therapist. Today…. Engaging young people around mental health issues Barriers to engagement Tools for engagement Some handy hints. A few facts and stats.

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Today…

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  1. Engaging young people around their mental healthKaren Marriage – Clinical Psychologist Swagata Bapat– Occupational Therapist

  2. Today… • Engaging young people around mental health issues • Barriers to engagement • Tools for engagement • Some handy hints

  3. A few facts and stats

  4. Prevalence and Incidence of Mental Disorders • In any given year, 1 in 5 young people will experience a mental disorder. • 75% of mental disorders have their onset before the age of 25. Australian Bureau of Statistics (2007). National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing. Cat. no. 4326.0. Canberra: ABS. Kessler et al., 2005

  5. Unmet Need …yet an enormous number of young people willnot seek help for their mental health problems or possible mental disorders… Australian Institute for Health and Welfare (2007). Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing. Canberra: AIHW.

  6. We need to get in EARLY Development Early Intervention Delayed Intervention Time

  7. Mental Illness can affect Young People in many ways… • Problematic drug use • Significant personal and family distress • Educational failure • Unemployment or impaired work productivity • Legal problems • Homelessness • Reduced quality of life • Social isolation For young people, mental Illness is the leading cause of premature death and loss of healthy life.

  8. Carla’s Story What made it hard for Carla to get help?

  9. Barriers to engagement

  10. Beliefs about mental illness • The majority of people with a mental illness are violent • Mental Illness is ‘all in your mind’. The only way to get over it is to ‘snap out of it • The majority of mental illnesses are incurable and lifelong

  11. Beliefs about mental illness • Mental Illness is a sign of weakness • Only certain people develop a mental illness • Only people with a family history develop mental illness

  12. Service factors • Coercion • Cost • Accessiblity of service • Are the services youth friendly • Are the staff skilled with young people • Intake criteria

  13. Individual factors • Developmental issues • Self-reliance • Denial and avoidance • Ambivalence to change

  14. Individual factors • Lack of knowledge • Help negation/hopelessness • Embarrassment/ stigma/shame • Low self awareness & emotional competence

  15. Tools for engagement

  16. Reducing Stigma • Adopting positive and hopeful attitudes • Normalise mental health concerns • Challenge negative stereotypes and misconceptions about mental illness • Self Stigma – ask about the young persons preconceptions

  17. Normalising mental health issues

  18. Giving reassurance and information • Mental illness is common and is a real medical condition • (not a character defect, laziness or weakness) • Effective treatments are available • Suggest ways of getting appropriate info (e.g. online) Source: Youth Mental Health First Aid Manual (2007); www.mhfa.com.au

  19. Using your relationship – taking a helpful stance • You have the relationship • Engage the person in discussing how they are feeling • Try not to make assumptions • Don’t be critical or give unhelpful advice (e.g. pull yourself together/cheer up) • Avoid confrontation – try to offer choices and work with the person • Investigate together

  20. Psychological Biological Social Symptoms of mental illness Everyday stress (e.g. friendship, academic, work stress) Major stress (e.g. homelessness) Alcohol, drug use Trouble coping Early childhood stressor, major trauma Family & social support Coping skills Meaningful activity “Treatment”

  21. Promoting early help-seeking • Encourage the young person to get appropriate professional help from, e.g. • Local General Practitioner • Community (Mental) Health Centre • headspace • Public Mental Health Service • Online Source: http://www.mhfa.com.au Source: Youth Mental Health First Aid Manual (2007); www.mhfa.com.au

  22. Clear boundaries - Transparency • Be clear what you can do and can’t do • Respect confidentiality BUT tell the young person about the times where you cannot maintain this • “If you are telling me that you are going to hurt yourself or someone else…” • Be aware of when boundaries might be difficult to maintain

  23. Encouraging self-help strategies • Avoiding/reducing alcohol and other drug use • Exercise regularly • Sleep well • Practice relaxation • Utilise self-help books and apps Source: http://www.mhfa.com.au Source: Adapted Youth Mental Health First Aid Manual (2007); www.mhfa.com.au

  24. Looking after yourself • Promote good mental health by what you say and do. • Live by example. • Look after yourself • Know your limits. • Supervision / support • Self care • Professional development

  25. Self care What sustains you?

  26. Questions?

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