God is good, but life is hard Getting to grips with mental illness at church Introduce yourself Tertiary studies Lived experience Leadership experience Rebecca Randall – rebecca.randall@anu.edu.au

Clarifying points This is HARD Thanks to anyone with a lived experience The power of churches and community Today is the start of a conversation http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mental-illness/basics/risk-factors/con-20033813

What is mental illness? Mental health Mental illness/Mental disorder Psychological symptoms Abnormal behaviours Impaired functioning Such disorders may cause clinically significant distress and impairment in a variety of domains of functioning and may be due to organic, social, genetic, chemical or psychological factors God’s role Mental health: Emotional wellbeing Good behavioural adjustment Relative freedom from anxiety and debilitating symptoms Capacity to establish constructive relationships and cope with the ordinary demands and stresses of life Mental disorder Psychological symptoms Abnormal behaviours Impaired functioning Such disorders may cause clinically significant distress and impairment in a variety of domains of functioning and may be due to organic, social, genetic, chemical or psychological factors Define psychology and psychiatry

Who experiences it? 1 in 5 Australians experience symptoms of a mental disorder in a 12 month period Anxiety disorders – 14.4% Affective disorders – 6.2% (Depression is 4.1% of this) Substance use disorder – 5.1% - 4.3% alcohol related Prevalence decreases with age 26% of 18-24 year olds 5.9% of people aged over 65 http://www.mindframe-media.info/for-media/reporting-mental-illness/facts-and-stats#sthash.9AAEEHHC.dpuf Data from the 2007 ABS Survey of health and wellbeing

Risk factors for mental illness Having a biological relative with mental illness Experiences in the womb Stressful life situations A chronic medical condition Brain damage Traumatic experiences Use of illegal drugs Being abused or neglected as a child http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mental-illness/basics/risk-factors/con-20033813

Help seeking People aren’t seeking help Only 35% of people with a mental disorder had used a health service during the survey period Hospital admissions for mental health problems were rare http://www.mindframe-media.info/for-media/reporting-mental-illness/facts-and-stats#sthash.9AAEEHHC.dpuf Data from the 2007 ABS Survey of health and wellbeing

Our mental health system 1 in 5 Australians experience symptoms of a mental disorder in a 12 month period Anxiety disorders – 14.4% Affective disorders – 6.2% (Depression is 4.1% of this) Substance use disorder – 5.1% - 4.3% alcohol related Prevalence decreases with age 26% of 18-24 year olds 5.9% of people aged over 65 Crisis Assessment and Treatment Team (CATT) The Crisis Assessment and Treatment Team (CATT) provides a 24-hour, seven day a week service used for assessment and treatment of mentally ill people in crisis situations. Call the CATT Mental Health Triage Service on 1800 629 354 (24 hour service) or (02) 6205 1065. Adult Community Teams Are multidisciplinary and provide mental health assessment, treatment, clinical management, crisis management, family support and referral pathways for people with mental health issues.  The teams operate during business hours and referrals are received from a range of sources, including individuals, their families, GP’s or community organisations.