Module 5: Mental Health Awareness: Prevention, Early Recognition, and Support Flashcards
(16 cards)
Tipping Point
- Right after optimal performance
- When someone begins showing signs and symptoms of the strain/burden of perceived stress.
- Different for each person
Stress Diathesis Model
- The stress-diathesis model explains the tipping point where stress leads to medical or psychological conditions.
Stress
- Triggers multiple biological systems.
- The body’s adaptation to stress is called allostasis (maintains balance in response to challenges).
Diathesis (Vulnerability)
- Refers to a person’s predisposition to a medical condition.
Can arise from:
- Biological factors (genetic inheritance).
- Psychosocial factors (early-life exposure to stressors).
- Gene-environment interaction (GxE) (combined hereditary and environmental influences).
Allostasis Induced Brain Plasticity
- The Brain & Regulation
- The brain plays a central role in the stress-diathesis model by interpreting stressors as either threatening or positive.
- It regulates physical, emotional, behavioral, and cognitive responses to stress. - Stress Balance
- Manageable stress can promote growth and resilience (known as the steeling effect). - Stress and Health
- Chronic or overwhelming stress is linked to poor mental and physical health outcomes, including anxiety and depression. - Brain Structure & Plasticity
- Stress triggers allostasis-induced brain plasticity, meaning the brain changes in response to stress.
- These changes can be adaptive (promoting resilience) or maladaptive (contributing to disorders).
- Loss of resilience is a major factor in stress-related conditions like anxiety and depression
Stress Diathesis Model and Adaptation
- Perceived Stress
- The brain processes both internal (hydration, hormones) and external (work, relationships) factors.
- Genetics and life experiences shape how individuals perceive and react to the same stressor. - Physiological Responses to Stress
- The brain coordinates responses to stress through:
- HPA axis (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis) – key in biological stress responses.
- Autonomic nervous system – regulates involuntary functions (e.g., heart rate).
- Metabolic system – influences energy use and storage.
- Gut and immune system – impact digestion and immunity under stress. - Allostatic Load
- Allostatic load = wear and tear from chronic stress and prolonged activation of stress systems.
Interventions to reduce allostatic load:
- Healthy diet
- Regular cardiovascular exercise
- Social support and a sense of belonging
- Quality sleep
- Reducing allostatic load can increase resilience against future stress.
Genotype and Environment Interactions and Stress
GxE Interaction & Stress Sensitivity
- Your genetic make-up interacts with life experiences to influence your resilience or sensitivity to stress.
- Healthy coping strategies can reduce the risk of feeling overwhelmed and developing stress-related symptoms.
Positive Development & Flourishing
- Young people experience accelerated brain development, making this a crucial time for adopting healthy habits.
- A healthy lifestyle during this period increases the likelihood of long-term well-being.
Common Mental Health Problems in Canada
- Prevalence in Canada (2013 Data)
- 11.6% of Canadians (~3 million people) reported living with an anxiety and/or mood disorder.
- 23% of those affected had not sought treatment in the past year. - Depression & Anxiety in Canadian Youth
- 10.2% of youth have experienced a depressive disorder.
- 12.1% of youth have experienced an anxiety disorder. - Gender Differences
- Depression and anxiety disorders are more common in females than males.
Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression
- Anxiety Disorders
- Emotional: Feeling on edge, irritability, loss of enjoyment.
- Physical: Restlessness, muscle tension, chest tightness, hyperventilation, fatigue, headaches.
- Behavioral: Avoidance, short temper, sleep difficulties, forgetfulness.
- Cognitive: Excessive worry, apprehension, trouble concentrating.
Note: Anxiety symptoms can overlap with conditions like ADHD, depression, and cardiovascular issues.
- Depressive Disorders
- Emotional: Persistent sadness, despair, non-reactive mood, loss of enjoyment.
- Physical: Sleep and appetite changes, fatigue, body aches, slowed or restless movement.
- Behavioral: Social withdrawal, skipping work/school.
- Cognitive: Guilt, hopelessness, suicidal thoughts, trouble concentrating, negative thinking.
Indicators Between Stress and Mental Disorder
Disproportionate Reaction - The severity or intensity of emotional and physical symptoms is excessive compared to the situation.
Time - Symptoms persist beyond the initial stressor or continue for an extended period.
Impairment - The symptoms interfere with daily life, affecting school, work, relationships, or personal well-being.
Out of Character - Friends, family, or peers notice a change in behavior, mood, or personality.
Diagnostic Assessment of a Mental Disorder
Developmental History
- The developmental history of the individual (i.e., learning, communication and/or neuromotor problems, childhood adversity).
Family History
- The family history of mental disorders to identify a predisposition, or genetic and familial vulnerability.
Symptoms
- The clinical course of distressing and impairing symptoms, in terms of onset and nature (i.e. chronic or episodic) and relationship to context/stressors.
Treatment
- The response or paradoxical worsening to any treatment tried to date and other physical or medical problems that might be contributing.
Other Factors
- Include lifestyle (exercise, recreation), misuse of alcohol and/or recreational/illicit drugs, current stressors, etc.
Relational and Social Factors
- The nature of the relationships, social connectedness, and environment.
Circle of Mental Health Care
🔹 Primary Care Provider (PCP)
- Includes family doctors or nurse practitioners.
- Acts as the first point of contact and coordinates care.
- Should be kept informed of any mental health services accessed.
🔹 Psychiatry
- For moderate to severe conditions needing medication and/or complex treatment.
- Offers diagnosis, pharmacological treatment, and coordination with other services.
🔹 Self-Help & Peer Support
Peer Support:
- Includes peer mentors, buddy systems, or campus listening services.
- Offers empathy, shared experiences, and resource guidance.
Self-Help:
- Use of books, websites, or apps to manage symptoms.
- Flexible, private, and accessible for mild to moderate concerns.
🔹 Counselling (Campus Services)
- Short-term, solution-focused support.
- Helps with coping strategies, problem-solving, and emotional regulation during stress.
🔹 Psychological Therapy (Psychotherapy)
- For moderate emotional or social issues.
- Involves structured, often longer-term therapy (e.g., CBT).
- Provided by trained therapists, sometimes off-campus.
Stepped Care
Definition
- Stepped care is a structured, evidence-based model.
- Matches the intensity of mental health care to the individual’s level of clinical need.
- Ensures that people receive appropriate care without overusing or underusing resources.
The Stepped Care Pyramid
Base of the Pyramid (Entry-Level Services):
- Lowest intensity, but still effective and evidence-based.
- Appropriate for mild symptoms or general well-being.
Includes:
Campus health promotion
Self-help tools (books, websites, apps)
Peer support programs (e.g., peer mentors, buddy systems)
Middle Levels:
- Target students with moderate mental health concerns.
Includes:
- Campus mental health teams (e.g., counselling services)
- Family doctors or nurse practitioners
- Short-term psychological therapies (e.g., CBT)
Higher Levels (Specialty Services):
- For moderate to severe or complex mental health issues.
Includes:
- Community-based therapy with licensed professionals
- Psychiatric services (diagnosis, medication, therapy)
Top of the Pyramid (Hospital-Based Services):
- Reserved for severe, urgent, or crisis-level cases.
Includes:
- Emergency psychiatric services
- Crisis intervention and inpatient care
Who Provides Mental Health Support
Occupational Therapist: Helps with learning strategies, study-life balance, and participation in daily activities. Works on improving performance in school and work settings.
Counsellor: Provides short-term, problem-focused support, including coping strategies, emotional regulation, and study-life balance. Often available in wellness services.
Psychotherapist: Licensed professionals trained in therapies like CBT, IPT, and psychodynamic therapy. Suitable for mild to moderate emotional and mental health problems.
Clinical Psychologist: Registered professionals with expertise in assessments and therapy for mental health issues. Works with moderate mental disorders and is part of multidisciplinary teams.
Psychiatrist: Medical doctors specializing in mental disorders, offering diagnoses, treatments, and medications. Requires referral from a family doctor.
Barriers to Mental Health Care
Stigma-Related Barriers: Fear of judgment or negative evaluation prevents many from seeking help. One-third of students with mental health conditions choose not to disclose them. The Canadian Mental Health Association works to combat stigma by educating the public.
Attitudinal Barriers: Many people invalidate mental health concerns due to lack of objective tests. Some believe they should just “try harder” or can “get over it” independently, which discourages reaching out for help.
Practical Barriers:
- Long Wait Times: High demand and limited resources result in long waiting periods for services.
- Financial Barriers: Costs limit access to timely and specialized mental health care.
- Navigating the System: Difficulty understanding the level of care needed and where to access it can create confusion and additional challenges in seeking help.
Social Approaches
Mild mental health symptoms can be improved through social approaches, which include:
- Social Skills Workshops: Improving communication and interpersonal abilities.
- Interest Groups and Clubs: Connecting with others who share similar hobbies or goals.
- Health Promotion: Encouraging activities that support overall well-being.
- Support Groups: Providing peer support for shared experiences.
Social Prescribing is a growing strategy, encouraging engagement in activities like nature outings, socializing, pursuing hobbies, and recreational activities to enhance mental health and well-being, which are crucial for effective learning.
Psychological Approaches
When mental health symptoms persist or worsen, psychological approaches can help manage and reduce moderate symptoms of anxiety, depression, and sleep issues. These approaches may be provided individually or in groups, and include various therapy modalities:
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction: Helps with focus, relaxation, and being mentally present.
- Behavioural Activation: Increases activity levels, especially pleasurable activities, to combat low mood.
- Supportive Counseling: Offers a supportive environment to explore issues, gain insight, and find new solutions.
- Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT): Focuses on improving interpersonal relationships and understanding oneself and others.
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Effective for treating sleep problems, anxiety, and depression.
- Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT): A type of CBT that addresses and changes upsetting thoughts, particularly for PTSD.
