Introduction to Mental Health Flashcards
(20 cards)
Define public health
“the art and science of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts of society”
In simpler terms: “Public health is about working together as a community to prevent illness, help people live longer, and support overall health and wellbeing.
Any public health event can impact mental illness, wellbeing and mental health. True or False
True
Define mental health
“A state of wellbeing in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community”
Define mental illness
- A mental illness is a health problem that significantly affects how a person feels, thinks, behaves, and interacts with other people. It is diagnosed according to standardised criteria.
- It is a clinically significant disturbance in an individual’s cognition, emotional regulation, or behaviour, usually associated with distress or impairment in important areas of functioning.
Mental health is a National Priority in Australia. The government has come up with the 5th national mental health and suicide prevention plan. Its main goal is to mprove the lives of people living with a mental illness and the lives of their families, carers and communities.
What are the 3 pillars to mental health system vision?
- Support recovery
- Prevention and early detection of mental health
- Ensures that all Australians with a mental illness can access effective and appropriate treatment and community support to enable them to participate fully in the community
Describe the prevalence of mental heatlh disorder
Of Australians aged 16–85 from 2020 to 2022:
* 8.5 million (43%) had experienced a mental disorder at some time in their life
* 4.3 million had experienced a mental disorder in the previous 12 months
What is the impact of mental health disorders?
- Early death (e.g. severe MHD patients die 10-20 yrs earlier than the general population)
- Increases the risk of suicide
- Enormous economic consequences e.g. productivity losses vs direct cost of care
Outline the causes/risk factors for mental health conditions
- Tramatic events or history of abuse (e.g. child abuse, sexual assault)
- Experiences related to ongoing chronic conditions (eg. cancer and diabetes)
- Biological factors or chemical imbalances in the brain
- Use of alcohol or drugs
- Having feelings of loneliness or isolation
List the common mental health conditions
- Anxiety disorder
- Bipolar disorder
- Depression
- Eating disorder
- Affective disorders
- Substance use disorder
- Psychosis
- Schizophrenia
Co
What services do the Australian Government provide in order to diagnose, support and improve mental health
- Medicare Benefits Schedule
- Pharmaceuticals Benefits Scheme
- Primary Health Networks
- National disability Insurance Scheme
What services do the state and territory governments provide in order to diagnose, support and improve mental health
- Public hospitals
- Emergency Departments
- Residential mental health care
- Community Mental Health Care
What services do private and community sectors provide in order to diagnose, support and improve mental health
- Private hospitals
- Crisis support websites and phone lines
- Community organisations
- Private health insurers
Outline treatment options for the general population (good mental health)
Publically available information and self-help resources (e.g. beyond blue).
Outline treatment options for at-risk groups (e.g.early Sx and previous illness)
Mainly self-help resources and digital mental health tools
Outline treatment options for mild mental illness
- Mix of self-help resources including combination of digital mental health and low intensity face-to-face services (e.g GP services)
- Some people may require pyschological services
Outline treatment options for moderate mental illness
- Mainly face-to face clinical services backed up by pyshcatrists where needed
- Self-help resources, clinician-assisted digital mental health services and other low-intensity services for a minority
Outline treatment options for severe mental illness
- Clinical care using a combination of GP care, pyschatrists, mental health nurses and allied health
- Inpatient services, pharmacotherapy, pyscosocial support services, coordinated multi-agency services for those with severe and complex illness
What is the proposed strategy to optimise mental health?
Vision: To build a sustainable workforce that is skilled, supported and distributed to deliver mental health treatment, care and support that meets the current and future population needs.
Mental heath Tx, care and support needs to be evidence-based, accessible and equitable, integrated, strength based, culturally safe, trauma informed, recovery orientated and person centred.
