The Rise and Rise of Depression in a Competitive ‘Winner/Loser’ World Richard Hill (Australia) Mental Health Summit

Winner/Loser World Creative World Hypothesis

That we live in a competitive “winner/loser” world where personal worth is based on external measures rather than personal expression. This creates a “winner/loser mindset.” Stress, anxiety, disengagement, distrust, and unhappiness are expected and predictable outcomes of thinking in such a way and living in such a world. Intrinsic – extrinsic motivation. Self-determination Theory – Ryan & Deci

We fix them up Then send them back to the front line

Plato’s ‘Allegory of the Cave’

Mindset “The Mind is a process that regulates the flow of energy and information” – Siegel “The Mind is a process that regulates the flow of energy and information” – Siegel “We are constantly engaged in the process of creating and reconstructing the structure of our brain and body on all levels, from mind to gene” - Rossi “We are constantly engaged in the process of creating and reconstructing the structure of our brain and body on all levels, from mind to gene” - Rossi

Stereotype Threat Aronson & Steele Stamford University That a pervasive social attitude can alter the performance of the brain Steele, C. and J. Aronson (1995) Stereotype Threat and the Intellectual Test Performance of African Americans. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Vol. 69, pp

The effects of stress (and not-stress) on the flow of energy and information? Broaden and Build – Barbara Fredrickson

Threats 1. Mortal – direct survival 2. Attachment – abandonement, support survival 3. Chronic Inflammation – illness, toxicity (principal indicator – obesity)

Winner/Loser World Disruption

ChallengingPersonalEndeavour

8 DIFFERENCES Exclusion Exclusion Events Events Instruction Instruction Competition Competition Result Result Probability Probability Transaction Transaction Arrogance Arrogance Inclusion Inclusion Lessons/Opport’ Lessons/Opport’ Information Information Inspiration Inspiration Outcome Outcome Possibility Possibility Interaction Interaction Confidence Confidence

7 DEMONS Right & Wrong Right & Wrong Good & Bad Good & Bad Expectation Expectation Fault & Blame Fault & Blame Criticism Criticism Isolation & Separation Isolation & Separation Guilt Guilt

7 BENEFITS Hugs Hugs Gentle talk Gentle talk Listening Listening Laughter Laughter Co-operation Co-operation Achievable tasks Achievable tasks Love & kindness Love & kindness

A very brief therapy

1. That’s Interesting Pause - dlpfc

What am I trying to win? What am I trying to win? What am I afraid of losing? What am I afraid of losing? Mindset – world view

2. The Problem Is a Message Solution oriented - name

3. What Can I Create With This? Expansive – interactive – possibility Re-frame

D3 – Matt Lieberman Disruption – Disambiguation – Detachment Pause – Name – Reframe That’s Interesting The Problem is a Message What can I create with This?

“… a remarkably clear and profound book for the general reader” Ernest Rossi PhD “I think this book is great… it questions… and provides an alternative” Joanne Symes BA “Richard uses knowledge we have and creates great wisdom.” Roger Haynes PhD (astrophysics). The Book

That’s Interesting The Problem is a Message What can I create with This?

“… a remarkably clear and profound book for the general reader” Ernest Rossi PhD “I think this book is great… it questions… and provides an alternative” Joanne Symes BA “Richard uses knowledge we have and creates great wisdom.” Roger Haynes PhD (astrophysics). The Book