Concepts of primary care
In this topic we will be considering concepts of primary prevention and mental health promotion. A primary health care approach takes into account factors such as, social, family, cultural and environmental issues when looking at what influences an individual’s mental health. To assist with this topic we will be referring to the Australian National Mental Health Strategy and Mental Health plans.
The prevention
Learning Journal:
What do you think are the benefits of health promotion? What do you understand by the term ‘the prevention model?’
Health promotion and prevention models have been around for some time for diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. These promotional activities have had a significant impact in educating the public on risk factors for both illnesses.
What health promotional activities are you aware of in the metal health field? Do you think these activities have been successful in raising the public’s knowledge on the risk factors associated with mental illness? Elaborate on your answer to include some possible solutions.
Websites
Ausinet.
This website takes you directly to Auseinet (The Australian network for Promotion, Prevention and Early Intervention for Mental Health). This network is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and aging and is an invaluable source for all promotion, prevention and early intervention activities across Australia. International issues are also highlighted. You will be able to refer to this site throughout the entire course.
This website has a number of links that will be useful for you. I suggest you explore this resource, paying particular attention to the national mental health strategy.
This site gives you the theoretical and conceptual foundation for the National Action Plan for Promotion, Prevention and Early Intervention for Mental Health 2000 and discusses in more detail a number of issues relevant to its implementation.
Reading
Meadows G. and Singh B. (2001) Mental health in Australia. Collaborative Community Practice. Oxford University press Sydney Chapter 3 pp. 29 – 33.
These pages explain the ‘prevention model’ very well. It is particularly important for you to have a good understanding of the mental health intervention spectrum as it is outlined in Figure 3.2 on page 31.
Discussion board
Meadows G. and Singh B. (2001) Mental health in Australia. Collaborative Community Practice. Oxford University press Sydney Chapter 3 pp. 29 – 33.
These pages explain the ‘prevention model’ very well. It is particularly important for you to have a good understanding of the mental health intervention spectrum as it is outlined in Figure 3.2 on page 31.
Discussion board
What is meant by ‘health promotion’ how does this apply in the mental health context?
What activities take place in your community to aid in health promotion for mental health?
Share your findings with the rest of the group by posting to the discussion board.
Social attitudes
Learning journal
Think about your thoughts and attitudes toward mental illness. What influenced your attitudes? Do you ever talk about issues surrounding mental illness with family or friends?
Imagine if you had a chronic physical illness (eg. diabetes), would you discuss your treatment, medications and progress with family and friends. Now imagine you have a major mental illness (eg. schizophrenia), would you discuss your treatment, medications and progress with family and friends. If there is difference in your answer think about why.
Reading
The best way to investigate what shapes our social attitudes to mental health and mental illness is to look at the historical overview of the treatment of the mentally ill.
Meadows G. and Singh B. (2001) Mental health in Australia. Collaborative Community Practice. Oxford University press Sydney Chapter 1. Gives you some background information on the changes in the treatment and attitudes toward mental health over the centuries.
Activity
Pick two films that examine some aspect of mental illness (there are plenty to choose from) and discuss them on the discussion board using the following headings:
- Which films did you watch? What influenced your choices?
- When were the film made?
- In what era were the films set?
- What mental illnesses were portrayed in the films?
- Do you think these portrayals were positive or negative?
- Did the films approach issues of intervention, treatment or care?
- Did the films discuss issues of individual freedom versus social control?
- If you were a layperson how would each of these films influence your concept of mental health or mental illness?
Stigma
Learning journal
The stigma associated with mental illness is profoundly debilitating to the individual with the illness. Despite the education campaigns and health promotion activities people still consider people diagnosed with a mental illness to be unpredictable, dangerous, unintelligent and unreliable. People with mental illnesses are disadvantaged in a number of ways because of these commonly held misconceptions.
Investigate some of the reasons why the mentally ill continue to be feared and disadvantaged. In doing so ask yourself the following questions:
- Would you employ someone who has revealed they have a mental illness on their employment application?
- If you were the owner of a rental property would you lease your property to a person with a known mental illness?
- If a friend or colleague revealed they are taking medication for a mental illness would that change the way you feel about them?
- If you had a mental illness would you reveal this to your employer?
Reflect on the answers you have given and write down where your feelings have come from and why.
Websites
Stigma.org This website is beneficial because it talks about the stigma surrounding mental health and it gives a list a rights for all people living with mental illness. Once you click onto the home page follow the links until you reach the list of rights.
Stigma. A fact sheet produced by the mental health information service. This fact sheet is comprehensive and will give you a very good understanding of the concept of stigma and the consequences it can cause for an individual.
Reading
Meadows G. and Singh B. (2001) Mental health in Australia. Collaborative Community Practice. Oxford University press Sydney Chapter 2. This chapter discusses stigma, families and living with stigma.
Activity
Media
Learning journal
Website
Reading
Activity
Over the next four weeks spend some time scanning print media for any articles/editorials/feature stories etc. pertaining to mental health and illness. Make a listing in your reflective journal together with your immediate responses to the stories. Look at the image that is portrayed and compare and contrast it with portrayals of physical illnesses.