Transcript File - Business Matters

Session Objectives
By the end of the training session, you will
have had the chance to
o Consider the impact of stigma and
discrimination surrounding mental health issues
o Recognise that mental health affects us all
o Look at the signs and symptoms of anxiety,
depression and psychosis
o Understand the risk factors for suicide and self
harm
…and
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Appreciate why recovery must be at the
heart of any discussion of mental health
problems
Consider the wide range of interventions
that can hasten recovery
Learn some practical ways of helping
people in distress
Think about how best to look after our
own mental health and well being
Mental Health
Mental health is ‘the emotional and spiritual resilience which allows us to
enjoy life and survive pain, disappointment and sadness. It is a positive
sense of well-being and an underlying belief in our own, and others’, dignity
and worth’. (HEA 1997)
Mental health influences how we think and feel, about ourselves and others
and how we interpret events. It affects our capacity to learn, to
communicate and to form, sustain and end relationships. It also influences
our ability to cope with change, transition and life events: having a baby,
experiencing bereavement, going to prison.
(Friedli 2004)
Mental health continuum
Mental Well
Being
Mental Health
Difficulties
The Mental Health Continua
No absolutes
The continua
Flourishing Mental Health
Maximum
mental illness
/disorder
Has diagnosis of a
serious illness but
copes well and has
positive mental
health
No illness or disorder
and positive mental
health
Has a diagnosis of a
serious illness and
has poor mental
health
No diagnosable
illness or disorder but
has poor mental
health
Minimal
mental illness
/disorder
Languishing Mental Health
An illness like any other…
In this paragraph, the word asthma is easily changed with
depression, schizophrenia or any other mental health difficulty
Asthma will often first emerge in childhood or the early teens,
but can occur at any stage in life. For some people it lasts a
lifetime, for others it may pass after one episode or attack. Poor
housing, poverty, and the surrounding environment heighten the
risk of developing asthma, but many people also have a hereditary
predisposition. Asthma often worsens during stressful situations.
However asthma can generally be controlled by a combination of
medication and other treatments.
For a small percentage of sufferers, asthma can become a
chronic disability which seriously impedes their quality of life.
But for most people, asthma is something they learn to live with as
Part of an otherwise normal life.
(Scottish Association for Mental Health)
The Impact
o
1 in 4 Scottish Adults will experience some
form of Mental Health problem in any year
o
30 to 40% of absences from work are
caused by Mental Health problems
o
Mental Health problems are a major cause
of long-term disability for some people
o
72% of people who are disabled through
Mental Health problems are unemployed,
yet most want to work
Depression
What is Depression?
A clinical depression is one that lasts
for at least two weeks and affects the
person physically, emotionally,
cognitively and behaviourally. It
interferes with the person’s ability to
carry out their work or to have
satisfying personal relationships.
Symptoms of Depressions
Emotions
 Sadness
 Anxiety
 Guilt
 Anger
 Mood Swings
 Lack of emotional responsiveness
 Helplessness
 Hopelessness
Thoughts
 Frequent self-criticism
 Self-blame
 Worrying
 Pessimism
 Impaired memory and concentration
 Difficulty making decisions
 Confusion
 Tendency to believe others see you in a
negative light
 Thoughts of death & suicide
Behaviour
 Crying spells
 Withdrawal from others
 Neglect of responsibilities
 Loss of interest in personal appearance
 Loss of motivation
Physical
 Chronic fatigue
 Lack of energy
 Sleeping too much or too little
 Overeating or loss of appetite
 Constipation
 Weight loss or gain
 Irregular menstrual cycle
 Loss of libido
 Unexplained aches & pains
Suicide in Scotland

More than 800 Scots died by suicide in 2001
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This is a 22% increase since 1982
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In 2001 over 640 who died by suicide were
men
10 – 15% of people who attempt suicide
will later die by suicide
Recovery
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The most important thing is to
believe that recovery is possible
Spirituality played a part in my
recovery
I am a human being – not just a set
of symptoms
Having a sense of hope is the
foundation of recovery
Recovery
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I could have said, it’s too hard but
look how far I have come! I’m
proud of myself!
Learn, understand and take control of
your life