Let's take a closer look at some of the people we all know. What do these individuals have in common? Athletes, singers, royal figures and politicians - what unifies them? The answer is that they have all faced mental health issues during their lives. Although we hear these terms - mental health and mental illness - being used, how much do we actually understand about them? Mental illness affects people of all ages, genders, races, religions and socio-economic backgrounds regardless of occupation - no one is immune to it. This means that you, me and the person next to us could experience mental health issues at any time. In multiple national surveys conducted throughout Australia, data was collected regarding the occurrence of mental health issues across people's lifetime; this included illnesses such as depression and psychotic disorders. What is the probability that an Australian between the ages of 16 and 85 will experience a mental illness at some point in their lives? Someone suggested one in twenty five thousand, while another thought it was one in ten thousand. Could it be one in a thousand, perhaps even one in a hundred or even one in fifty? The answer is astonishingly close to one in two.
What do you think of when you consider that number? Take a moment to ponder it; did you guess correctly? It is evident that this problem is far more serious than what we initially believed. If there are 100 people in this room, it is likely that half of them have already experienced or will be facing the same issue. We can deduce this by considering that one out of every two people would have encountered the problem. Do you know of anyone else besides the person who comes to mind when thinking of people in your lives who is having difficulty? It's likely that there are more than just the one individual dealing with struggles. Results from a national survey revealed that approximately one in seven young people aged between 4 and 17 years old will develop a mental health issue during their growth and development. It is probable that the amount of mental illnesses experienced by people in their lifetimes has been underestimated, as roughly half of all mental health conditions are likely to have developed by age 14, and more than three-quarters of them before the age of 25.
Suicide is an issue that is not discussed enough, yet it is the leading cause of death amongst Australians aged between 15 and 49. It has a devastating impact on our society, claiming far more lives than road accidents. Given that mental health and illness are so heavily impacted by their respective rates, why is there still such a large stigma and shame associated with it? Why don't we know more about the subject? Generally, people have a natural inclination to show empathy and compassion towards someone who has sustained a physical injury or has some sort of condition. Although mental illness is not visible, it can be a serious and debilitating condition for someone afflicted by it. Just because the injury or pain cannot be seen, does not make dealing with the struggle any less real or difficult. There is often a stigma associated with mental illness that implies the individual has control and can simply choose not to experience it. This overlooks the reality that those struggling with mental health issues may not have the capacity to "snap out of it" or take other measures to make the issue go away. We wouldn't say it to someone who is dealing with cancer or has a broken arm, so why would we say it to a person struggling with mental illness if they could help it?
Brain-based illnesses, such as mental disorders, can be attributed to biological changes or an imbalance of chemicals in the brain. These issues cannot simply be reduced to a matter of choice. People with mental health problems often experience feelings of humiliation and embarrassment. Take a moment to consider some of the terms that are often used when referring to mental illness. Then, have a look at your neighbor and attempt to apply one of those words in a sentence with them. For example, you could say "you're mental". Reflect upon how it felt to make such an assertion. Some of you may have felt hurt and insulted by it, while others did not appreciate it in the slightest. A person who is already suffering from a mental illness and is feeling scared and insecure can find themselves in a very vulnerable situation, with their self-confidence plummeting. Visualize how it would be to listen to some of these statements being uttered. If you can comprehend the discomfort felt by someone in this situation, then it is not difficult to understand how greatly it would affect them. Furthermore, the impact could be immensely amplified if one were to experience such a scenario.
Why is it that people often resort to demeaning language when referring to mental illnesses, despite knowing that they are real medical conditions? Could this be a result of a lack of understanding regarding the severity and reality of such illnesses? Just like a broken arm, mental illness is only part of a person's identity; it does not define them. With proper treatment, people can recover from their mental conditions just as they can with medical ailments. It is important to remember that those struggling with mental health issues are so much more than their diagnosis. Unfortunately, there is a stigma and shame attached to asking for help which can be major deterrents when it comes to people seeking treatment. In general, in order to receive assistance one needs to be willing to ask for it. When a person is experiencing emotions such as shame, guilt, responsibility, helplessness and being stuck, it can make it much more difficult to seek help. Studies have revealed that compared to other age groups, younger individuals are less likely to get help for mental health issues. Rather than using the language we discussed earlier when discussing mental illness, why don't we use words like "Are you okay?", "I'm here if you need to talk" and "You are not alone." These phrases are far more meaningful and beneficial than anything else that could have been said.
Mental illness can be caused by a combination of biological, psychological and social factors, many of which may not be in the individual's power to influence. Genetic predisposition, alterations in hormonal levels, and modifications of the brain's structures are all biological components which may contribute to susceptibility. Mental health issues such as grief and sadness, strain due to modifications in life, and maladaptive thought processes can all have an impact on someone's psychological wellbeing. The impacts of social elements such as seclusion, tormenting and unexpected occurrences like the COVID-19 pandemic have had a profound effect on all of us. In order to reduce the rates of mental illness and ensure good mental health, we need to take proactive measures. While not everyone may suffer from a mental illness, everyone has their own mental health that needs to be taken care of. I had the privilege of visiting my grandmother, who was in excellent health, two years ago. We spent our last day together enjoying each other's company and it was truly wonderful. Unfortunately, when I returned to Brisbane after taking a red-eye flight home, I received the heartbreaking news that she had passed away unexpectedly earlier that same morning. The shock of having just seen her and the devastating news that I had to fly back on the same day to attend her funeral were all just overwhelming. The months following were filled with grief and its accompanying challenges. Certain days proved more difficult to handle than others, as I grappled with this emotional rollercoaster. The presence of love and support from family and friends, as well as allowing myself to take the time to pause, reflect, listen to my needs in the moment, and discover meaning gradually at my own pace were all key factors that made a difference for me.
Stressful and difficult life events are an unavoidable part of existence; they affect us all. Is there anyone in the room who can state that they have never gone through a difficult time? Can anyone proclaim that they have never felt overwhelmed? Is there anybody here who has not experienced some kind of loss? Can anyone confidently say that they have never felt hurt and upset? Did you experience weariness, confusion, exhaustion, uneasiness, defeat or loneliness during these times? Our brains collaborate even when our physical bodies are isolated from one another. Did it seem more difficult to remain focused on completing tasks, to converse with others, and to get a good night's sleep during these challenging times? All of us have encountered times of difficulty, which is part and parcel of being human. It's not only during major life events such as bereavement that we should be mindful of our psychological wellbeing - it's in dealing with the everyday stresses too. We must accept all aspects of life, good and bad, as a part of what makes us human. There is no cause to feel embarrassed or ashamed if you need to seek help when you require it. You may be curious as to why, being a clinical psychologist, I am still navigating life like everyone else. Even though I have become accustomed to hearing and seeing experiences and stories similar to these from a professional standpoint, as a person I face the same struggles of living my life. Having a supportive network of people around me made all the difference during this difficult time. Unfortunately, not everyone is lucky enough to have that same support system. In the course of conducting my doctoral research, I was fortunate enough to encounter a number of adolescents from refugee backgrounds.
We conducted an investigation of which factors could be responsible for academic success in adolescents who are refugees. We considered the academic qualifications of students, such as their level of English proficiency, if they had formal schooling in their home countries and what type of instruction was provided. We also assessed whether they had prior knowledge on certain topics before coming to Australia. In addition to examining psychological elements, we also explored psychosocial aspects like the amount of anguish experienced prior to immigration, and the availability of social assistance and involvement in school life after settling into Australia. It was discovered that English proficiency was the only academic factor found to predict academic success in adolescents from refugee backgrounds, aside from this, no other academic factors had an influence. It was observed that psychosocial elements such as the level of anxiety and trauma experienced before migration, alongside the degree of social support and involvement in school activities after arriving in Australia were major indicators when predicting outcomes. Psychosocial factors were also found to be associated with academic achievement when studies were conducted on typical student populations. The state of an adolescent's mental health has a great influence on whether they can attain academic success and continue to be successful in adulthood. Achieving success in academics involves more than just absorbing information at school; it is also about having a sense of security and community, feeling supported by people who have faith in you, and being motivated to attend classes with the intention of learning.
It is repeatedly emphasized that we should follow advice on how to look after our physical health in order to reduce the chances of developing conditions like heart disease. We have all been encouraged to strive for an equitable diet, participate in regular physical activity, and make wise decisions regarding our lifestyle. By taking the necessary precautions to protect our mental health, we can help reduce the prevalence of mental illness. Do you know what self-care is? Is there any idea that pops up in your head when you hear the term? Escaping from your duties and obligations for a day, why not treat yourself to a luxurious manicure and spa experience with your closest companion? After a week of being very conscientious about what you eat, is it rewarding yourself with a hefty piece of chocolate cake or taking advantage of the sunshine and ignoring your school assignments due on Monday? Spending the day with your friends playing soccer and not checking in with home because you wanted to was the plan. Many people regard self-care as being self-indulgent and only focusing on oneself without considering the world around them. While it is true that it can be these things, there is so much more to self-care than that. If this was your initial thought, you are not alone. It is not just a special reward, a privilege, or something that is only deserved after we have accomplished everything else; it is equally as important as all the other things.
When we used to take plane rides, the safety instructions given by the flight attendant, including how to put on an oxygen mask correctly, were something we would remember. However, with the current Covid-19 pandemic, this is a distant memory. Nonetheless, it's important to recall that when being instructed on how to use an oxygen mask, you are told to put your own mask on first before helping others with theirs. Before we are able to offer assistance to others, we must first be able to help ourselves. We cannot give what we do not have the ability to give. Much like a car needs to continually refill its tank with fuel in order for it to keep running, we must also recognize the importance of taking care of our mental health and make sure to regularly "refill" ourselves. Take a moment to examine the various components of this self-care circle and contemplate them. It's not only in the grand gestures that we show our care - it can be found in small acts, too. It's about maintaining connections, allowing yourself to not feel okay and asking those around you if they're doing alright. Even when life gets busy, it’s important to make time for activities that bring us joy – especially on the days where it feels like there is no time for them. We should all strive to be kinder to ourselves when times are tough. What small step can you take today to begin taking care of your mental wellbeing? There is no reason to feel embarrassed or ashamed if you need help. After all, remember that the person sitting next to you and the person sitting next to them might have just as much of a need for assistance as well. Thank you for listening to my 411 of mental health 101!
See also: https://mygodsentangels.com/