Engaging young people around their mental health Karen Marriage – Clinical Psychologist Swagata Bapat– Occupational Therapist

Engaging young people around mental health issues Barriers to engagement Tools for engagement Some handy hints Today…

A few facts and stats

In any given year, 1 in 5 young people will experience a mental disorder. 75% of mental disorders have their onset before the age of 25. Prevalence and Incidence of Mental Disorders Australian Bureau of Statistics (2007). National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing. Cat. no Canberra: ABS. Kessler et al., 2005

…yet an enormous number of young people will not seek help for their mental health problems or possible mental disorders… Unmet Need Australian Institute for Health and Welfare (2007). Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing. Canberra: AIHW.

Development Time Early Intervention Delayed Intervention We need to get in EARLY

Problematic drug use Significant personal and family distress Educational failure Unemployment or impaired work productivity Legal problems Homelessness Reduced quality of life Social isolation For young people, mental Illness is the leading cause of premature death and loss of healthy life. Mental Illness can affect Young People in many ways…

Carla’s Story What made it hard for Carla to get help?

Barriers to engagement

The majority of people with a mental illness are violent Mental Illness is ‘all in your mind’. The only way to get over it is to ‘snap out of it The majority of mental illnesses are incurable and lifelong Beliefs about mental illness

Mental Illness is a sign of weakness Only certain people develop a mental illness Only people with a family history develop mental illness Beliefs about mental illness

Coercion Cost Accessiblity of service Are the services youth friendly Are the staff skilled with young people Intake criteria Service factors

Developmental issues Self-reliance Denial and avoidance Ambivalence to change Individual factors

Lack of knowledge Help negation/hopelessness Embarrassment/ stigma/shame Low self awareness & emotional competence Individual factors

Tools for engagement

Adopting positive and hopeful attitudes Normalise mental health concerns Challenge negative stereotypes and misconceptions about mental illness Self Stigma – ask about the young persons preconceptions Reducing Stigma

Normalising mental health issues

Mental illness is common and is a real medical condition (not a character defect, laziness or weakness) Effective treatments are available Suggest ways of getting appropriate info (e.g. online) Giving reassurance and information Source: Youth Mental Health First Aid Manual (2007);

You have the relationship Engage the person in discussing how they are feeling Try not to make assumptions Don’t be critical or give unhelpful advice (e.g. pull yourself together/cheer up) Avoid confrontation – try to offer choices and work with the person Investigate together Using your relationship – taking a helpful stance

Early childhood stressor, major trauma Trouble coping Alcohol, drug use Major stress (e.g. homelessness) Everyday stress (e.g. friendship, academic, work stress)

Encourage the young person to get appropriate professional help from, e.g. Local General Practitioner Community (Mental) Health Centre headspace Public Mental Health Service Online Promoting early help-seeking Source: Source: Youth Mental Health First Aid Manual (2007);

Be clear what you can do and can’t do Respect confidentiality BUT tell the young person about the times where you cannot maintain this “If you are telling me that you are going to hurt yourself or someone else…” Be aware of when boundaries might be difficult to maintain Clear boundaries - Transparency

Avoiding/reducing alcohol and other drug use Exercise regularly Sleep well Practice relaxation Utilise self-help books and apps Encouraging self-help strategies Source: Source: Adapted Youth Mental Health First Aid Manual (2007);

Promote good mental health by what you say and do. Live by example. Look after yourself Know your limits. Supervision / support Self care Professional development Looking after yourself

Self care What sustains you?

Questions?