© THE DOVE SERVICE
Content• Recognise some triggers, signs and symptoms
of stress, anxiety and depression
• Highlighting stigma and discrimination associated with mental ill health
• Introduce The Dove Service and what we are funded for in this area
© THE DOVE SERVICE
What is mental health?Mental health and well being is relevant to us all.
However we only tend to take notice of mental health if it becomes a problem for us.
1 in 4 of people will experience mental ill health at some point this year. 1 in 6 people in the UK will experience illness related to
anxiety
Depression affects 1 in 12 of the population
Mixed anxiety and depression is the most common mental health problem in Britain
www.mentalhealth.org.uk
© THE DOVE SERVICE
What is mental ill health? The definition of ‘mental ill health’ or ‘mental health problems’
covers a very wide spectrum, from the worries and grief we all experience as part of everyday life to the most bleak, suicidal
depression or clinical diagnosis of a mental health illness.
Everybody responds differently to the stresses and strains of modern life and it is common to describe ourselves as
‘depressed’, ‘stressed’ or ‘anxious’ at times. For some, these feelings can become serious enough to make it difficult to
carry on with everyday life.
www.mindfulemployer.net
© THE DOVE SERVICE
What is good mental health?
Good mental health is characterised by a person’sability to fulfil a number of key functions andactivities such as:• The ability to learn • The ability to feel, express and manage a range of
positive and negative emotions• The ability to form and maintain good relationships with
others • The ability to cope with and manage change and
uncertainty
www.mentalhealth.org.uk
© THE DOVE SERVICE
Recognising triggers, signs and symptoms
It will be helpful if we all can identify clues when all is not well.
It’s obvious if someone is feeling under the weather due to a heavy cold or a foot injury. It will not be
so obvious to recognise when we are experiencing mental ill health.
Would we be able to recognise triggers, signs and symptoms in ourselves and those around us?
© THE DOVE SERVICE
Triggers• Change• Stressful events • Juggling life's demands home/children/relationships/work/finances/ caring for
someone• Physical health problem• Relationship difficulties or a break up• Trauma (e.g. Car accident) • Illness of a loved one • Bereavement • Loss• Feeling lonely (isolated)• Personality traits (e.g. periodic dips in confidence and feelings of low self
esteem)• Lifestyle – alcohol, drugs, diet, lack of exercise• Domestic violence • Abuse (physical, verbal, psychological)• Bullying and harassment
© THE DOVE SERVICE
Physical Signs
• Tired • Unwashed – hair, clothes • Looking more dishevelled that usual• Feeling unwell/nausea/dizzy/headaches • Sudden weight loss or gain • Changes in breathing pattern• Tense • Sweating • Lack of energy
© THE DOVE SERVICE
Behavioural Signs • Lack of concentration • Restless/fidgety • Speaking or moving more slowly • Use of drugs or alcohol• Putting off jobs/making excuses • Change in level of/and or nature of
communication • Not hitting targets/KPIs• Nail biting /Teeth grinding • Self harm
© THE DOVE SERVICE
Emotional Signs • Withdrawal• Lack of motivation• Mood swings • Tearful • Sadness• Angry or irritable• Overwhelmed • Helplessness • Suicidal thoughts • Numbness • Nervous• Worrying
© THE DOVE SERVICE
Psychological Symptoms/feelings
• Feelings of losing control or going mad • Feeling as though people are looking at them• Feelings of wanting to run away/escape• Feeling detached from their environment • Feeling like everything is going to fast or too
slow• Feeling fearful of something awful happening
or that they are ill• Feeling bad about oneself
© THE DOVE SERVICE
Stigma and Discrimination
• Stigma – originally means a sign, point or branding mark. This can lead to labelling.
• Discrimination – prejudice, being treated differently due to being associated with a certain group or category. Treatment is usually in a negative way.
• 9 out of 10 people with mental health problems will experience stigma and discrimination
• Stigma and discrimination can be far worse than the actual condition itself.
© THE DOVE SERVICE
Summary
We have …• Recognised triggers, signs and symptoms of
mental ill health• Highlighted stigma and discrimination
associated with mental ill health
© THE DOVE SERVICE
References
www.anxietyuk.org.ukwww.fivewaystowellbeing.orgwww.mentalhealth.org.ukwww.mind.org.ukwww.time-to-change.org.ukwww.thedoveservice.org.uk
Top Related