Mental Health Awareness & Support 21st September 2016 Andy Brown

What would you like to get out of today?

Mental Health Continuum

Psychological distress becomes a mental illness when it impacts upon the way a person thinks, behaves and interacts with other people in society

Many people suffering from mental distress may not look as though they are ill, while others may appear to be confused, agitated, or withdrawn.

WHEN OUR MENTAL HEALTH IS GOOD WE EXPERIENCE: • Feeling in control • Being able to make rational decisions • Being in touch with our feelings • Being able to form positive relationships • Feeling good about ourselves • Knowing how to look after ourselves

SOME FACTORS WHICH FACILITATE POSITIVE MENTAL HEALTH INCLUDE: • Talking about feelings • Writing it down • Keeping active • Eating well • Sleeping well • Keeping in touch with friends and loved ones • Get knowledge and take control • Get professional help • Improve coping skills • Set realistic goals • Keep an eye on personal stress • Find a hobby • Asking for help

Coping Strategies Group discussion Create a list of things that help people to cope

EXAMPLES OF POSITIVE COPING STRATEGIES: • Eliminating the source of stress • Sharing concerns • Using support • Time management • Assertiveness • Leisure pursuits • Relaxation • Exercise • Meditation • Spiritual beliefs • Positive self talk • Accepting praise • Acknowledging and dealing with internal criticism • Reducing expectations on self • Counselling or talking therapies • Medication

ALTERNATIVE EXAMPLES: • Alcohol • Tobacco • Other drugs • Self-blame • Blaming others • Avoidance • Isolation and withdrawal • Aggression • ‘Fire-fighting’

Myths SCHIZOPHRENIA IS NOT... • Split or multiple personalities - that is actually known as Dissociative Personality Disorder • Meaning that the person will be violent or dangerous • Always a diagnosis for life.

BIPOLAR DISORDER IS NOT... Myths BIPOLAR DISORDER IS NOT... • An indication that a person constantly swings from highs to lows (mania to depression) • That the mood swings last the same length of time, follow the same pattern or even that they occur regularly. It varies enormously from individual to individual • Always a diagnosis for life.

BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER IS NOT… Myths BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER IS NOT… • A sign of a faulty personality • A guarantee that the person is manipulative or displays attention seeking behaviour • Untreatable, over time most people gain control of their emotions.

Myths DEPRESSION IS NOT... • Easy to recover from without professional help, support and treatments • The same as mild ‘low moods’ that all of us can experience regularly as a result of daily events.

GENERALISED ANXIETY DISORDER IS NOT... Myths GENERALISED ANXIETY DISORDER IS NOT... • The same as phobias, fears, stress or panic attacks • Untreatable

Mental Health Inclusion team The Mental Health Inclusion team are a specialist team who work with students with diagnosed mental health conditions or students with ongoing mental health difficulties. The team will offer advice to both staff and students Work with university and external services to support students mental health needs mentalhealthadvice@dmu.ac.uk

Single Point of Access - SPA Appointments will be offered Monday – Friday from 10am – 3pm Each appointment is 30 minutes long Gateway to Mental Health, Disability and Counselling appointments Effective from October2016

Students at Risk Any concerns about a student can be forwarded to the SAR inbox sar@dmu.ac.uk Refer to the Students at risk policy Mental Health Inclusion team Security M