Mental Health and Wellbeing Flashcards
mental wellbeing
state of well-being in which an individual realises his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and is able to make a contribution to his or her own community
continuum of mental health
ranges from mentally healthy, through mental health problem to a mental disorder
mental health problem
A mental health concern that interferes with functioning but is mild and temporary.
mental disorder
involves a combination of thoughts, feelings and behaviours which are associated with significant personal distress and impair ability to function effectively in daily life
mental health: biological factors
genes, neurotransmitters, response to meds, substance use, hormones,etc.
mental health: psychological factors
Thoughts, ways of thinking, beliefs, learning, memory, emotions, coping skills, etc.
mental health: social factors
relationships, social support, lifestyle, healthcare, education, level of income, etc.
biopsychosocial model
views mental health from a holistic approach, taking into account biological, psychological and social influences (can be positive or negative)
What makes someone mentally healthy
high functioning, high social and emotional wellbeing, high resilience
high level of functioning
They are able to cope effectively with living independently in everyday life, can contribute to society
High level of emotional wellbeing
Able to be aware of, regulate, express and identify emotions
High level of social wellbeing
Able to develop healthy relationships, interact appropriately, respect others, resolve conflicts
resilience
the ability to cope and adapt to stressors and ‘bounce back’
SEWB framework
a framework that includes all elements of being, and therefore wellbeing, for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
domains:
connection to body and behaviours
connection to mind and emotions
connection to family and kinships
connection to community
connection to culture
connection to Country
connection to spirit, spirituality and ancestors
connection to body
connecting to the physical body and health in order to participate fully in all aspects of life
connection to mind and emotions
the individual’s personal experience of their mental wellbeing (or mental ill-health) and their ability to manage thoughts and feelings
connection to family and kinships
Recognises that family and kinship systems have always been central to the functioning of traditional and contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ lives
connection to community
Emphasises a connection to a communal space that can take many forms and provides opportunities for individuals and families to connect with each other
connection to culture
Refers to one’s secure sense of cultural identity and cultural values through connection to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage
connection to Country
Being on and caring for Country has positive physical and mental health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
connection to spirituality and ancestors
Recognises the sacred and interconnective relationship between Country, human and non-human beings, as well as the past, present and future. Includes knowledge and belief systems, and the Dreaming
determinants influencing mental health and SEWB for Indigenous Australians
Social determinants
political determinants
historical determinants
cultural determinants
social determinants
Education, employment, income and housing which contribute to an individual’s health and wellbeing status
political determinants
Government policies such as legislation that has affected wellbeing by restricting the rights of self-determination and sovereignty
historical determinants
the impact of past government policies and the oppression and cultural displacement experienced since colonisation
cultural determinants
originate from and promote a strength-based perspective, acknowledging that stronger connections to culture and Country build stronger individual and collective identities, a sense of self-esteem and resilience. Includes cultural continuity and self-determination.
cultural continuity
involves intergenerational maintenance and transmission of cultural knowledge and practices, ensures maintenance of cultural connection.
self determination
the right to freely determine or control their political status and freely pursue their cultural, social and economic development
stress
state of mental or emotional and physiological tension resulting from factors that are perceived as challenging or threaten our ability to cope
anxiety
an emotion akin to worrying and uneasiness that something is wrong or something bad is going to happen
phobia
a persistent, intense, irrational fear of a specific object or event
phobia v fear
phobia is excessive, unreasonable and impairs daily functioning
phobia: biological factors
GABA dysfunction, long-term potentiation
GABA dysfunction
(BIOLOGICAL) failure to produce, release or receive the correct amount of GABA needed to regulate neuronal transmission in the brain. Low levels of GABA = heightened stress response = more fight-flight-freeze
long term potentiation
(BIOLOGICAL). Long-term potentiation strengthens the connection between the phobic stimulus and anxiety response
Phobia: psychological factors
Precipitation through classical conditioning,
perpetuation through operant conditioning,
memory bias, catastrophic thinking
Precipitation by classical conditioning
Prior to conditioning, the NS did not produce any response consistent with a phobia.
The UCR was elicited by the UCS.
During conditioning, the NS was being paired with the UCS.
After conditioning, the NS became the CS.
The CS produced the CR of a phobia.
Thus classical conditioning precipitates a phobia, as without the conditioning, the phobia would not occur.
Perpetuation by operant conditioning
When (person) encounters the phobic stimulus, it acts as the antecedent.
(Person) then displays the behaviour of avoiding the phobic stimulus.
This creates the consequence of feeling calm
Thus operant conditioning perpetuates a phobia through negative reinforcement, increasing avoidant behaviours through removing a negative stimulus
memory bias
(PSYCHOLOGICAL). Only thinking of the bad association with phobic stimulus, not the neutral or good experiences
Catastrophic thinking
(PSYCHOLOGICAL). Always thinking the worst is going to happen when confronted by phobic stimulus (e.g. It’s going to kill me)
phobia: social factors
Specific environmental triggers, stigma around treatment
specific environmental triggers
A specific object or situation in the environment that produces an extreme fear response. (e.g. situation in which the phobia developed)
stigma around seeking treatment
(SOCIAL). As phobias are by definition, ridiculous, there is a large amount of stigma, so sufferers are less likely to talk to family or a professional
phobia: biological intervention
benzodiazepines, breathing retraining
Benzodiazepines
(BIOLOGICAL). Drugs that increase GABA’s inhibitory activity, GABA agonist. Lower anxiety and reduce stress symptoms
breathing retraining
(BIOLOGICAL). Teaching correct breathing habits. Control of breathing is control of phobia. Inhaling slowly and deeply through the nose and exhaling slowly though the mouth.
phobia: psychological interventions
Cognitive behavioural therapy, systematic desensitisation
CBT
(PSYCHOLOGICAL). Combines cognitive and behavioural therapies. Cognitive: changing thoughts to more realistic. Behavioural: breathing retraining, SD
systematic desensitisation
(PSYCHOLOGICAL).
- Teach relaxation technique (like breathing retraining)
- Organise phobia into hierarchy of fear from least to most anxiety inducing
- Work up the ladder, only moving up the ladder when the fear response is extinguished
social: psychoeducation
(SOCIAL). Educating parents, family and friends regarding phobia. Giving details about disease, increasing support. Family to challenge behaviours but not treat phobia themselves.
protective factors
help maintain or improve mental health (acts like a shield)
biological protective factors
adequate nutrition and hydration, mindfulness, and adequate sleep
adequate nutrition and hydration
(BIOLOGICAL). A diet that provides enough of the energy, nutrients, and fiber to maintain a person’s health (e.g. eat breakfast, eat a variety of food)
adequate sleep
(BIOLOGICAL). Waking up feeling refreshed, not fatigued, ready to learn and function in society
mindfulness
The state of being alert and mentally present for one’s everyday activities. Mindfulness can reduce stress and anxiety, however is not a solo treatment for ill mental health
psychological protective factors: cognitive behavioural
(PSYCHOLOGICAL).
Cognitive: Trying to replace dysfunctional thoughts with more helpful ones.
Behavioural: maintaining mental health through behaviour change (e.g. breathing retraining, meditation, mindfulness)
social protective factors
Support from family/friends/community that is authentic and energising
support from family/friends/community
(SOCIAL). Having support from society such as peers, friends, family, church, sports club, etc. can help mental wellbeing greatly. Support could be in material assistance, distraction, counselling, etc.
authentic social connections
we have a genuine connection and that we can rely on these people in times of need
energising social connections
overall, supportive networks should provide you with more energy than they take
