Mental Health and Mental Illness - Department of Veterans' Affairs

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Men’s Health Peer Education HEALTH MANAGEMENT

Mental health and mental illness: resources (Tab 27)

Mental health and mental illness

Resources

The following resources can be found in this section:

Mental health and mental illness (PPTs)

Scenario: Mental health and mental illness

Activity: Staying mentally healthy

Quiz: Mental health and mental illness

 Handouts

The DVA Trainer will determine which activities are suitable for the training. Please note not all activities may be used during the training.

Reviewed: 08/10/2015

Men’s Health Peer Education HEALTH MANAGEMENT

Mental health and mental illness: resources (Tab 27)

Mental health and mental illness (PPTs)

The Mental health and mental illness PowerPoint (PPT) is located on the

Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Men’s Health Peer Education Volunteer Resource website page.

The PPT file is: TAB27 – Mental health and mental illness.ppt

Reviewed: 08/10/2015

Men’s Health Peer Education

Scenario

HEALTH MANAGEMENT

Mental health and mental illness: resources (Tab 27)

SCENARIO: Mental health and mental illness (training use only)

Part 1

You catch up with Jeff once a month for a social golf game. He has always been a

‘nervy’ sort of bloke, so he is always on time and organised. Today he is 20 minutes late, forgot his buggy, and you have to re-arrange tee off. He looks like he has just got out of bed, and hasn’t slept much. All out of character.

When you ask if he had a big night, he tells you no, but that he is having problems sleeping, and struggling to get going in the morning. ‘Don’t really feel like doing anything.’ Your memory of your fishing trips is that he sleeps like a log and is first up getting breakfast and sorting gear.

As you play he reveals he is having trouble with his wife because he has been forgetful and ‘flying off the handle’. His wife thinks he might be stressed at work, and they need a holiday, but he tells you work is the same as always—pretty easy

(although he is having more trouble concentrating on his courier run).

Questions to raise / Talking points

1.

What indications are there that it could be depression?

2.

Could it be anything else?

3.

What else might you ask Jeff?

4.

What can you do that might be helpful?

(see possible responses on next page)

Part 2

You see Jeff a month later for golf. Things aren’t very different, but he has seen his

GP and was diagnosed with depression. He has started antidepressants a week ago, and has a referral to a psychologist. While you are playing he tells you that he doesn’t feel any better on the tablets, and they are giving him bad dreams that are making his sleep worse, so he might stop taking them. He doesn’t believe he needs to see a psychologist—he doesn’t really believe in them. He just needs to ‘stick it out’ and get himself better.

Questions to raise / Talking points

5.

What might you say to Jeff?

6.

Any other recommendations?

(see possible responses on next page)

Reviewed: 08/10/2015

Men’s Health Peer Education HEALTH MANAGEMENT

Mental health and mental illness: resources (Tab 27)

SCENARIO: Mental health and mental illness (training use only)

Part 1

1.

What indications are there that it could be depression?

change—out of character is important. Depression can be insidious and not seeing Jeff for a month means you might notice things he or his family may not.

 history of anxiety?

 late

 disorganised

 sleep problems

 forgetful

 dishevelled

 unmotivated

 memory problems

 relationship issues

 anger

 lack of concentration.

2.

Could it be anything else?

Absolutely! Anxiety, anaemia, thyroid problems etc. You can’t diagnose a mental illness, and a health professional requires clinical skills and will need to talk to Jeff.

3.

What else might you ask Jeff?

 ‘What do you think the problem is?’

 ‘Have you talked about the problems with your wife?’

‘Have you talked to your GP or anyone else about it?’

4.

What can you do that might be helpful?

Encourage him to see his GP or to contact VVCS.

 If you think it might be helpful, add that ‘it sounds as though something is wrong. I’ve known people with issues like depression that can look like that. It is always worth getting things checked out.’

 Give him website information that allows him to do a quick self-check, e.g. beyondblue, At-Ease.

Reviewed: 08/10/2015

HEALTH MANAGEMENT

(Tab 27) Mental health and mental illness: resources, activities and handouts

Men’s Health Peer Education

Part 2

5.

What might you say to Jeff?

Antidepressants take a while to work.

Side-effects of any drug are a reason to see the GP again. Sometimes they can change the drug or adjust the dose.

 The most important thing is you get better, and the best way to do that is work with your GP and be honest with him.

The same goes for seeing a psychologist. Let your GP know about your views—there may be alternatives.

6.

Any other recommendations?

Write down all your issues before you see the GP, and put them in order. Start with the most important to you.

 Some people might get better by themselves, but most do much better and get well faster by working with professionals.

Encourage him to make his wife (and potentially other family/friends) part of his recovery ‘team’.

If he wants someone else to chat with, suggest Veterans Line at VVCS.

Reviewed: 08/10/2015

Men’s Health Peer Education

Activity

HEALTH MANAGEMENT

Mental health and mental illness: resources (Tab 27)

ACTIVITY: Staying mentally healthy

Ask all to stand up.

When ready, ask those who smoke to sit.

Then ask those who …

 are overweight… to sit—use the following list in any order (see below).

 don't exercise regularly… to sit etc.

 haven't seen their GP in the last 6 months

 drink more than 4 standard drinks at any one time

 drink more than 4 cups caffeine/day

 haven’t found the right balance between work and play

 have a chronic illness

 don’t sleep well

Use the list in any order.

Continue to do this until only 1 or 2 people are still standing.

They are the ‘winners’, and their reward is good mental health!

Note that although all these factors are correlated with poorer mental health, they are not simply cause and effect.

Reviewed: 08/10/2015

Men’s Health Peer Education

Quiz

HEALTH MANAGEMENT

Mental health and mental illness: resources (Tab 27)

QUIZ: Mental health and mental illness

Select the best answer.

1.

The best way to maintain good mental health is to: a. b. c. d.

Eat five serves of vegetables each day

Stay connected with friends and family

Avoid unnecessary stressful situations

Do Sudoku or crosswords at least three days each week

2.

Mental illness is the: a. b. c. d.

Biggest cause of disability in Australia

Second biggest cause of disability in Australia after injury

Third biggest cause of disability in Australia after cardiovascular disease and stroke

Second biggest cause of disability in Australia after obesity

3.

4.

5.

Who are more likely to get depression in Australia? a. b. c. d.

Women

Men

Old people

Men and women get it at about the same rate

Which is not a sign or symptom of depression? a. b. c. d. e.

Lack of energy

Difficulty concentrating

Loss of interest in food

Thinking about death a lot

All of the above are signs or symptoms of depression

Which has been found to be a useful treatment for depression? a. b. c. d.

Melatonin

Vitamin B6

Tyrosine

Sunlight

6.

7.

What is the most common mental illness in Australian men? a. b. c. d.

Depression

Substance use disorder (including alcohol)

Anxiety disorders

Posttraumatic stress disorder

Which is not a useful approach to aid recovery from anxiety disorders? a. b. c. d.

Avoiding situations that cause anxiety

Relaxation training

Computer-aided psychological therapy

Cognitive behaviour therapy

Reviewed: 08/10/2015

Men’s Health Peer Education HEALTH MANAGEMENT

Mental health and mental illness: resources (Tab 27)

QUIZ: Mental health and mental illness (ANSWERS)

Select the best answer.

1.

The best way to maintain good mental health is to: a. b. c. d.

Eat five serves of vegetables each day

Stay connected with friends and family

Avoid unnecessary stressful situations

Do Sudoku or crosswords at least three days each week

2.

3.

Mental illness is the: a. b. c. d.

Biggest cause of disability in Australia

Second biggest cause of disability in Australia after injury

Third biggest cause of disability in Australia after cardiovascular disease and stroke

Second biggest cause of disability in Australia after obesity

Who are more likely to get depression in Australia? a. b. c. d.

Women

Men

Old people

Men and women get it at about the same rate

4.

5.

6.

7.

Which is not a sign or symptom of depression? a. b. c. d. e.

Lack of energy

Difficulty concentrating

Loss of interest in food

Thinking about death a lot

All of the above are signs or symptoms of depression

Which has been found to be a useful treatment for depression? a. b. c. d.

Melatonin

Vitamin B6

Tyrosine

Sunlight

What is the most common mental illness in Australian men? a. b. c. d.

Depression

Substance use disorder (including alcohol)

Anxiety disorders

Posttraumatic stress disorder

Which is not a useful approach to aid recovery from anxiety disorders? a. b. c. d.

Avoiding situations that cause anxiety

Relaxation training

Computer-aided psychological therapy

Cognitive behaviour therapy

Reviewed: 08/10/2015

Men’s Health Peer Education HEALTH MANAGEMENT

Mental health and mental illness: resources (Tab 27)

Handout

The following handout can be found in this section:

 DVA MHPE Information Sheet: Mental health and mental illness

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs At-Ease portal has many useful brochures and factsheets regarding mental health. View them all on the At-Ease website

(www.at-ease.dva.gov.au).

Reviewed: 08/10/2015

Men’s Health Peer Education HEALTH MANAGEMENT

Mental health and mental illness: resources (Tab 27)

MHPE Information Sheet: Mental Health and Mental

Illness: Put your mind At-Ease

Good mental health is nurtured by time with others, staying physically healthy, having a sense of purpose, and participating in pleasurable activities. It is normal and healthy to experience stress, worries, sadness and grief. Sometimes these and other issues, such as physical illness or relationship problems, can contribute to the development of mental illness.

Like physical health problems, mental illnesses are common; up to half of all

Australians will experience an episode in their lifetime, and mental illness is a large cause of disability. Most of those who experience mental illness recover and live well.

Depression

While all men experience temporary sadness, more than one in eight will develop the illness of depression at some stage. This is distinguished by prolonged feelings of sadness and lack of interest or pleasure in usual activities. Other common symptoms include lack of energy and concentration, sleep problems, worry, loss of appetite and feelings of guilt. Most men with depression recover after seeking help.

Anxiety

Anxiety is normal, healthy and helpful. Anxiety disorders, the most common mental illness in Australia, involve anxiety that is more severe, longer lasting, and

interferes with normal activities. Anxiety disorders include posttraumatic stress disorder, agoraphobia and panic disorder. Most men with anxiety disorders do not seek professional help, but most have great potential for recovery.

What helps for depression and anxiety

The earlier help is sought the better. The most important start of recovery is

recognising that a problem exists, then seeking help, such as talking to the GP or

VVCS. They can initiate talking therapies such as cognitive behaviour therapy, which have been found most successful. The doctor can also prescribe medications if considered necessary. There are many other strategies that can be very helpful and can be done at your own pace. These could include exercise, learning relaxation techniques and referring to good self-help books and websites (ask VVCS or the GP for suggestions).

Reviewed: 08/10/2015

HEALTH MANAGEMENT

(Tab 27) Mental health and mental illness: resources, activities and handouts

Men’s Health Peer Education

Learning and talking about depression or anxiety helps; ignoring it doesn’t!

Helping a mate

In order to assist a mate who may be experiencing mental health issues, create a

‘safe’, confidential setting to talk, and express your concern and willingness to help.

Listen with an open mind, and give support and information within your limits.

Encourage him to seek appropriate professional help, and to involve family and friends. Importantly, stay in touch. Mental illness doesn’t resolve instantly.

The MHPE health promotion message is crucial for all men: good food, exercise, sleep and social connectedness are great for your mental health!

Further information

At-Ease Portal (www.at-ease.dva.gov.au)

VVCS website (www.dva.gov.au/vvcs) or 1800 011 046

Beyondblue website (www.beyondblue.org.au) or 1300 22 4636

Reviewed: 08/10/2015

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