engaging young people around their mental health karen marriage – clinical psychologist swagata...
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Engaging young people around
their mental healthKaren Marriage – Clinical Psychologist
Swagata Bapat– Occupational Therapist
•Engaging young people around mental health issues•Barriers to engagement•Tools for engagement•Some handy hints
Today…
•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.
Prevalence and Incidence of Mental Disorders
Australian Bureau of Statistics (2007). National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing. Cat. no. 4326.0. Canberra: ABS.
Kessler et al., 2005
…yet an enormous number of young people will not seek help for their mental health problems or possible mental disorders…
Unmet Need
Australian Institute for Health and Welfare (2007). Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing. Canberra: AIHW.
•Problematic drug use•Significant personal and family distress•Educational failure •Unemployment or impaired work productivity•Legal problems•Homelessness •Reduced quality of life•Social isolationFor young people, mental Illness is the leading cause of premature death and loss of healthy life.
Mental Illness can affect Young People in many ways…
•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
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
Beliefs about mental illness
•Coercion•Cost•Accessiblity of service •Are the services youth friendly•Are the staff skilled with young people•Intake criteria
Service factors
•Lack of knowledge•Help negation/hopelessness•Embarrassment/ stigma/shame•Low self awareness & emotional competence
Individual factors
•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
Reducing Stigma
•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)
Giving reassurance and information
Source: Youth Mental Health First Aid Manual (2007); www.mhfa.com.au
•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
Using your relationship – taking a helpful stance
Early childhood stressor, major trauma
Trouble coping
Alcohol, drug use
Major stress (e.g. homelessness)
Everyday stress (e.g. friendship, academic, work stress)
•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
Promoting early help-seeking
Source: http://www.mhfa.com.au
Source: Youth Mental Health First Aid Manual (2007); www.mhfa.com.au
•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
Clear boundaries - Transparency
•Avoiding/reducing alcohol and other drug use •Exercise regularly•Sleep well•Practice relaxation•Utilise self-help books and apps
Encouraging self-help strategies
Source: http://www.mhfa.com.au
Source: Adapted Youth Mental Health First Aid Manual (2007); www.mhfa.com.au
•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
Looking after yourself