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…

A few facts and stats

•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.

Development

Time

Early Intervention

Delayed Intervention

We need to get in EARLY

•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…

Carla’s StoryWhat made it hard for Carla to get help?

Barriers to engagement

•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

•Developmental issues•Self-reliance•Denial and avoidance•Ambivalence to change

Individual factors

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

Individual factors

Tools for engagement

•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

Normalising mental health issues

•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

Self care

What sustains you?

Questions?